The Royal SocietyThe Royal Society
Tara Morrison, M.D.
Dec. 1, 1999
Path 214
Historical background
Science dictated by church Unorthodox ideas frowned upon Natural and supernatural mixed together –
astrology/astronomy, chemistry/alchemy No questioning of Divine Order permitted Scientists increasingly frustrated, wanting to
measure, weigh, control conditions under which they lived
Desired scientific explanations based on evidence, removing fear of the unknown and supernatural.
Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
Cambridge educated Favorite of Elizabeth I Did not perform
experiments himself
Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
Proposed using advances in knowledge to better condition of man
“The Great Instauration”– 6 books: 1. Advancement of Learning
2. Novum Organum 3. Sylva Sylvarum 4. Scala Intellectus Books 5 and 6 never completed
Francis Bacon (1561-1626) New Atlantis
– Idealized description of organization for advancement of science
– Consist of a number of Fellows12 to travel and collect books and plans3 to extract ideas and experiments from books3 to collect info on mechanical crafts and experimental science3 to deduce new generalizations from analysis of results3 to analyze how this knowledge can benefit man
Antecedents
Naples, 1560 Accademia Secretorum Naturae Influenced by astrology, alchemy and occult
Italy, 1603 Accademia dei Lincei Galileo a member
Italy, 1657-67 Accademia del Cimiento
Antecedents
France, 1635– Academie Francaise formed as idea of
Cardinal Richelieu
France, 1640’s– Montmor Academy result of weekly informal
gatherings of men of letters– Many later became members of Royal Society– Formalized 1666 by Colbert under Louis XIV
Antecedents
Groups of men gathered everywhere to discuss topics and share ideas, books, information
Extensive correspondance across Europe Gresham College, 1645
– Men met in taverns, lodgings, meeting rooms for lectures and experiments
Politics in England
Strong role in scientific thought Time of Civil War (1642-49), and
overthrow of monarchy by Cromwell Heads of universities summarily replaced
if dogma not approved of by Cromwell Monarchy restored 1660, repurging of
positions of power in academe
Politics in England
Invisible College Aka Philosopher’s Society Met to “discourse and consider of
Philosophical Enquiries and such as related thereunto; as Physick, Anatomy, Geometry, Astronomy, Navigation, Staticks, Magnetics, Chymicks, Mechanicks, and Natural Experiments”
Invisible College
Included: Christopher Wren, Robert Boyle, Robert Hooke
Topics as varied as the circulation of blood (William Harvey), Nature of Comets, Descent of Heavy Objects
1648-1659 at Oxford under John Wilkins
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