An Alchemical Quest for Universal Knowledge

The ‘Christian Philosophy’ of Jan Baptist Van Helmont (1579-1644)

Nonfiction, History, Modern, 17th Century, Science & Nature, Science, Other Sciences
Cover of the book An Alchemical Quest for Universal Knowledge by Georgiana D. Hedesan, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Georgiana D. Hedesan ISBN: 9781317182139
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 20, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Georgiana D. Hedesan
ISBN: 9781317182139
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 20, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

History of science credits the Flemish physician, alchemist and philosopher Jan Baptist Van Helmont (1579-1644) for his contributions to the development of chemistry and medicine. Yet, as this book makes clear, focussing on Van Helmont's impact on modern science does not do justice to the complexity of his thought or to his influence on successive generations of intellectuals like Robert Boyle or Gottfried Leibniz.

Revealing Van Helmont as an original thinker who sought to produce a post-Scholastic synthesis of religion and natural philosophy, Georgiana Hedesan reconstructs his ambitious quest for universal knowledge as it emerges from the text of the Ortus medicinae (1648). Published after Van Helmont's death by his son, the work can best be understood as a compilation of finished and unfinished treatises, the historical product of a life unsettled by religious persecution and personal misfortune. The present book provides a coherent account of Van Helmont's philosophy by analysing its main tenets.

Divided into two parts, the study opens with a background to Van Helmont's concept of an alchemical Christian philosophy, demonstrating that his outlook was deeply grounded in the tradition of medical alchemy as reformed by Theophrastus von Hohenheim, called Paracelsus (1493-1541). It then reconstitutes Van Helmont's biography, while giving a historical dimension to his intellectual output. The second part reconstructs Van Helmont's Christian philosophy, investigating his views on God, nature and man, as well as his applied philosophy. Hedesan also provides an account of the development of Van Helmont's thought throughout his life. The conclusion sums up Van Helmont's intellectual achievement and highlights avenues of future research.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

History of science credits the Flemish physician, alchemist and philosopher Jan Baptist Van Helmont (1579-1644) for his contributions to the development of chemistry and medicine. Yet, as this book makes clear, focussing on Van Helmont's impact on modern science does not do justice to the complexity of his thought or to his influence on successive generations of intellectuals like Robert Boyle or Gottfried Leibniz.

Revealing Van Helmont as an original thinker who sought to produce a post-Scholastic synthesis of religion and natural philosophy, Georgiana Hedesan reconstructs his ambitious quest for universal knowledge as it emerges from the text of the Ortus medicinae (1648). Published after Van Helmont's death by his son, the work can best be understood as a compilation of finished and unfinished treatises, the historical product of a life unsettled by religious persecution and personal misfortune. The present book provides a coherent account of Van Helmont's philosophy by analysing its main tenets.

Divided into two parts, the study opens with a background to Van Helmont's concept of an alchemical Christian philosophy, demonstrating that his outlook was deeply grounded in the tradition of medical alchemy as reformed by Theophrastus von Hohenheim, called Paracelsus (1493-1541). It then reconstitutes Van Helmont's biography, while giving a historical dimension to his intellectual output. The second part reconstructs Van Helmont's Christian philosophy, investigating his views on God, nature and man, as well as his applied philosophy. Hedesan also provides an account of the development of Van Helmont's thought throughout his life. The conclusion sums up Van Helmont's intellectual achievement and highlights avenues of future research.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Rethinking German History (Routledge Revivals) by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book Cold War Theatre (Routledge Revivals) by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book Vietnam and the South China Sea by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book Becoming an Outstanding Mathematics Teacher by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book Routledge Handbook of National and Regional Ocean Policies by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book Cultural and Economic Reproduction in Education by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book Power, Perception and Foreign Policymaking by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book Professional Advances in Sports Coaching by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book Changing Language Education Through CALL by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book Ethics and Attachment by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book Thinking Philosophically about Education by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book Wilfred Owen (Routledge Revivals) by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book International Perspectives on Psychology in the Schools by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book Ideals and Ideologies by Georgiana D. Hedesan
Cover of the book Psychiatric Social Work in Great Britain by Georgiana D. Hedesan
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy