• Description, analogy, symbolism, faith. Jesuit science and iconography in the early modern debate on the origin of springs

    Author(s):
    Francesco Luzzini (see profile)
    Date:
    2016
    Group(s):
    Alchemy, Environmental Humanities, GeoHumanities, Science Studies and the History of Science
    Subject(s):
    Jesuits, Science, History, Seventeenth century, Sixteenth century, Water
    Item Type:
    Article
    Tag(s):
    Earth Sciences History, Science and Religion, Water cycle, Neoplatonism, History of science, 17th century, 16th century
    Permanent URL:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/M6RZ44
    Abstract:
    By the end of the sixteenth century, many Jesuit colleges had become centers of excellence all over Europe for such disciplines as mathematics, astronomy, hydraulics, and mechanics. Not a few members of the order provided influential contributions to science: in the case of the study of waters, the inquisitive eye of Jesuits took part in the long-standing debate on the origin of springs. These attempts to harmonize religion, experimentalism, and philosophy, though carried out within the rigorous theo-retical framework imposed by the Counter-Reformation, gave rise to a number of significant and ingenious interpretations of hydrogeological phenomena: and a crucial role was played by the use of iconography. Images became essential tools to ease the comprehension of refined theoretical models, made even more tortuous by the need to conform with Catholic doctrine – and, therefore, with two unescapable hurdles: the non-existence of void, and geocentrism. This approach re-quired Jesuits to focus on the same topics handled by their enemies; and, consequently, led them to interact with the very theories they opposed.
    Metadata:
    xml
    Published as:
    Journal article     Show details
    Pub. DOI:
    10.7343/as-2016-223
    Publisher:
    PAGEPress Publications
    Pub. Date:
    2016-8-12
    Journal:
    Acque Sotterranee - Italian Journal of Groundwater
    Volume:
    5
    Issue:
    2
    Page Range:
    65 - 67
    ISSN:
    2280-6458,1828-454X
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    6 years ago
    License:
    All Rights Reserved
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