William Harvey and the Use of Purpose in the Scientific Revolution: Cosmos by Chance or Universe by Design?

by Emerson Thomas McMullen

Overview

This book presents several new ideas in the history and philosophy of science. Against the backdrop of the major events of William Harvey's times, the author provides new insights into Harvey's discovery of the blood's circulation. A major theme is how Harvey and other scientists based their work on the concept that God created the universe purposefully. The author also develops a new, historically-based pattern of scientific discovery and advance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761809586
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	03/12/1998
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	5.36(w) x 8.44(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

Emerson Thomas McMullen is Assistant Professor of History of Science, Technology and Medicine at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia.

Editorial Reviews

...an engaging and very readable treatment of the role of theistic teleology in the scientific revolution and beyond...an important contribution to the relation of worldviews and scientific theorizing.

Stephen Wykstra

A study of the English scientist Harvey (1576-1657), who is credited with discovering that blood circulates, and of how he and his contemporaries thought about purpose and chance in the universe. Challenges historians and biographers who portray him as acting and thinking like a modern scientist, and shows how his deep religious beliefs, particularly in divine providence, grew out of his political and religious environment and influenced his work. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews