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