The History of Pre Modern Science from Antiquity to Newton
History V57.0135
Spring 2008
Time MW 3:30-4:45
Location TBA
Dr. Karl Appuhn
Office – King Carlos of Spain 509
Office Hours – MW 2-3
Email – appuhn@nyu.edu
Phone 998-8621
Course Description:
The aim of this course is to familiarize students with the history of western
science prior to the eighteenth century. The course will cover the history of
western scientific thought, from its origins in the ancient near east to the
Newtonian synthesis at the turn of the eighteenth century. Students will become
familiar with basic questions and concepts in the history of science. Such
questions include: What is science? How have western ideas about science
changed since antiquity? How does science differ from other belief systems such
as religion? What is the relationship between science and occult practices such
as astrology and alchemy? What is the relationship between science and politics?
How does science influence society and culture? Was there such a thing as the
scientific revolution? If so, why did it happen in seventeenth century instead of
some other historical moment? If not, can we offer an alternative explanation for
the apparent explosion of scientific activity in this period?
The primary method of instruction will be lecture, with occasional in-class
discussion of primary source readings. In addition to two in-class examinations,
each student will submit four short (three to five page) papers analyzing a
primary source. There will be five opportunities to write the four assignments.
NOTA BENE: I DO NOT accept late papers under any circumstances, nor do I
accept papers sent to me as email attachments. Papers are due in class AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE CLASS HOUR on the due date. Please plan accordingly.
Grading Requirements:
In Class Examinations: 50% (25% each)
Short Papers 50% (12.5% each)
Electronic Device Policy: I do not allow the use of any electronic devices in
class. This includes laptop computers. Students with a documented disability that
prevents them from taking notes should discuss their situation with me duri8ng
the first week of classes. I will make all projections used in class that do not
contain copyrighted material available on the blackboard site.
Readings (Available for purchase at the NYU Bookstore and on Reserve
at Bobst):
Francis Bacon, The New Atlantis.
René Descartes, Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy.
Andrew Ede and Leslie Cormack eds. A History of Science in Society: A Reader.
Galileo Galilei, Siderius Nuncius
Additional readings are available on the Blackboard Site for this course
Lecture and Reading Schedule:
Week One (January 22-25)
W – Introduction: What is the History of Science?
Week Two (January 28-Feb 1)
M – Near Eastern and Pre-Socratic Origins of Natural Philosophy
Ede and Cormack, Sec. 1.1
W – Aristotelian Natural Philosophy
Ede and Cormack, 1.2-1.5
Week Three (February 4-8)
M – Ancient Cosmologies: The Ptolemaic Universe
Ede and Cormack, 2.1
W – Ptolemaic and Aristotelian Science Continued (Short Paper Due)
“Selections from the Tetrabiblos” (BB)
“Simplicius’ Commentary on Aristotle” (BB)
Week Four (February 11-15)
M – Islamic Science and the Transmission of Ancient Knowledge.
Ede and Cormack, 2.5-2.9
“Examples of Early Medieval Cosmologies,” (BB)
W – Medieval Universities and the (Re)discovery of Aristotle.
“Typical Questions Based on Aristotle’s Physical Treatises;” (BB)
“Condemnations of Aristotle” (BB)
“William of Ockham on Motion,” (BB)
Week Five (February 19-22)
M – President’s Day Holiday
W – Renaissance Astrological and Artistic Culture.
“Astrology Debates;” and “Selections from Leonardo’s Notebooks,” (BB)
Week Six (February 25-29)
M – Copernicus’ Proposal for Heavenly Reform (Short Paper Due)
Ede and Cormack, 4.1
“Copernicus Selections” (BB)
W – The Copernican Problem
“Examples of Arguments in Favor of the Earth’s Motion,” (BB)
Week Seven (March 3-7)
M – The Tychonian Alternative
TBA (BB)
W – The Keplerian Solution
TBA (BB)
Week Eight (March 10-14)
M – Is Seeing Believing? Galileo’s Sidereal messenger. (Short Paper Due)
Galileo, Siderius Nuncius, entire
W – MIDTERM EXAMINATION
SPRING BREAK
Week Nine (March 24-28)
M – Galileo on Trial: The Problem of Religious and Natural Authority
Ede and Cormack, 4.2
“Selection of Documents from Galileo’s Trial” (BB)
W – The Fall of Man and the Purpose of Science
TBA (BB)
Week Ten (March 31-April 4)
M – Hermetic Traditions
Ede and Cormack, 4.3-4.4
“Selections on Alchemy” (BB)
W – Wonders: Scientific Culture and the Museum.
TBA (BB)
Week Eleven (April 7-11)
M – Bacon: Empiricism and Experiment (Short Paper Due)
Bacon, The New Atlantis entire
W – Descartes: Skepticism Triumphant
Descartes, Le Monde Chs 4-8 & 10 (BB)
Week Twelve (April 14-18)
M – Descartes: The New Philosophy
Descartes, Discourse on Method entire
W – The Politics of Science: Boyle vs. Hobbes (Short Paper Due)
Hobbes, “Dialogus Physicus” (BB)
“Selections on the Possibility of a Vacuum,” (BB)
Week Thirteen (April 21-25)
M – Science in Society: Telling the Truth about Nature
Ede and Cormack, 5.3 (BB)
W – Newton’s Universe: Finding a New Order
Ede and Cormack, 5.4
Week Fourteen (April 28-May2)
M – Newton continued
Desaguliers, A Course of Mechanical and Experimental Philosophy,
(Photocopy Handout).
W – Conclusion and Review: Was there a Scientific Revolution?
Week Fifteen (May 5)
M – FINAL EXAMINATION