Reading the book of nature in the Dutch golden age, 1575-1715 /
Jorink, Eric.
Reading the book of nature in the Dutch golden age, 1575-1715 / by Eric Jorink ; translated by Peter Mason. - Leiden, the Netherlands ; Boston : Brill, 2010. - 1 online resource (xxi, 472 pages) : illustrations, maps - Brill's studies in intellectual history ; v. 191 . - Brill's studies in intellectual history ; v. 191. .
Includes bibliographical references and index.
The interpretation of the book of nature down to around 1600 -- Comets : the debate on the 'wonders of the heavens' -- Insects : 'the wonders of God in the humblest creatures' -- Collections of curiosities : "a book in which God has gloriously described himself' -- Books of wonders : from rarity to regularity -- The book of nature : from axiom to metaphor.
Traditionally, Dutch scientific culture of the Golden Age is regarded as rational, pragmatic, and utilitarian. The role of Christiaan Huygens, Johannes Swammerdam and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek in the so called Scientific Revolution was recognised long ago, as was the fact that the revolutionary philosophy of René Descartes made its first impact in the Netherlands. This book challenges the traditional picture. First, it shows how nature was regarded as a second book of God, next to the Bible. For many, contemplating, investigating, representing and collecting natural objects was a religious activity. Secondly, this book demonstrates that the deconstruction of the old picture of nature was partly caused by the pioneering exegetical research conducted in the Dutch Republic, more specifically, the emergence of radical biblical criticism.
Translated from the Dutch.
9789004191204 (electronic bk.) 9004191208 (electronic bk.) 1283119684 9781283119689
10.1163/ej.9789004186712.i-472
1600-1699
Natural history--History.--Netherlands
Natural history--History--17th century.
Science--History--Netherlands--17th century.
Philosophy of nature--History--Netherlands--17th century.
Religion and science--History--Netherlands--17th century.
Religion and science.
Science--history
Natural History--history
Religion and Science
Sciences naturelles--Histoire.--Pays-Bas
Sciences naturelles--Histoire--17e siècle.
Sciences--Histoire--Pays-Bas--17e siècle.
Philosophie de la nature--Histoire--Pays-Bas--17e siècle.
Religion et sciences--Histoire--Pays-Bas--17e siècle.
Religion et sciences.
NATURE--Essays.
NATURE--Reference.
TRAVEL--Special Interest--Ecotourism.
Natural history.
Philosophy of nature.
Religion and science.
Science.
Naturgeschichte.
Naturphilosophie.
Netherlands.
Niederlande.
Electronic books.
History.
QH21.N4 / J6713 2010eb
508.09492
Reading the book of nature in the Dutch golden age, 1575-1715 / by Eric Jorink ; translated by Peter Mason. - Leiden, the Netherlands ; Boston : Brill, 2010. - 1 online resource (xxi, 472 pages) : illustrations, maps - Brill's studies in intellectual history ; v. 191 . - Brill's studies in intellectual history ; v. 191. .
Includes bibliographical references and index.
The interpretation of the book of nature down to around 1600 -- Comets : the debate on the 'wonders of the heavens' -- Insects : 'the wonders of God in the humblest creatures' -- Collections of curiosities : "a book in which God has gloriously described himself' -- Books of wonders : from rarity to regularity -- The book of nature : from axiom to metaphor.
Traditionally, Dutch scientific culture of the Golden Age is regarded as rational, pragmatic, and utilitarian. The role of Christiaan Huygens, Johannes Swammerdam and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek in the so called Scientific Revolution was recognised long ago, as was the fact that the revolutionary philosophy of René Descartes made its first impact in the Netherlands. This book challenges the traditional picture. First, it shows how nature was regarded as a second book of God, next to the Bible. For many, contemplating, investigating, representing and collecting natural objects was a religious activity. Secondly, this book demonstrates that the deconstruction of the old picture of nature was partly caused by the pioneering exegetical research conducted in the Dutch Republic, more specifically, the emergence of radical biblical criticism.
Translated from the Dutch.
9789004191204 (electronic bk.) 9004191208 (electronic bk.) 1283119684 9781283119689
10.1163/ej.9789004186712.i-472
1600-1699
Natural history--History.--Netherlands
Natural history--History--17th century.
Science--History--Netherlands--17th century.
Philosophy of nature--History--Netherlands--17th century.
Religion and science--History--Netherlands--17th century.
Religion and science.
Science--history
Natural History--history
Religion and Science
Sciences naturelles--Histoire.--Pays-Bas
Sciences naturelles--Histoire--17e siècle.
Sciences--Histoire--Pays-Bas--17e siècle.
Philosophie de la nature--Histoire--Pays-Bas--17e siècle.
Religion et sciences--Histoire--Pays-Bas--17e siècle.
Religion et sciences.
NATURE--Essays.
NATURE--Reference.
TRAVEL--Special Interest--Ecotourism.
Natural history.
Philosophy of nature.
Religion and science.
Science.
Naturgeschichte.
Naturphilosophie.
Netherlands.
Niederlande.
Electronic books.
History.
QH21.N4 / J6713 2010eb
508.09492