The emergence of science

Question 1

Who was Rene Descartes?

Answer 1

Rene Descartes - polymath in the 1600s that set about trying to discern the truth via math and science, stating that everything could be explained via these two methods of inquiry—including the human body. Thus he treated the human body as a mechanism, and contributed to medicine in this respect.

-He also proposed the duality of human existence –both physical and spiritual. The body is tangible while the soul is not. Finally, he justified existence via “I think, therefore I exist”.

Question 2

Who was Francis Bacon?

Answer 2

Francis Bacon

- Lawyer and natural philosopher that was dedicated to philosophy after he was convicted of corruption.
- Credited with inductive reasoning
- Stresses that new science must proceed from observation, natural histories, and carefully planned experiments
- His thinking helped lead to the scientific method

Question 3

Who was Robert Boyle?

Answer 3

• Tested and refined works of paracelsus, Bacon, and Descartes
• Refined system of testing scientific ideas.
• Developed air pump to evacuate air, and proved the we need air to survive (as well as combustion).
• Argued against traditional Empedocles elements, in favor of smaller particles
• Boyle’s law.

Question 4

Who was Anton von Leeuwenhoek?

Answer 4

• A draper that designed and built microscopes

- Recorded his observations, one of which was finding “animacules” in water

Question 5

Who was William Harvey?

Answer 5

• M.D. from padua, and studied under Fabricius (who discovered venous valves)
  
  • Put together contributions from other to form the idea of the circulatory system.
• Set out method for testing scientific principles via inductive reasoning.
  
  • Wrote de motu cordis, which set up a model of medical research with inductive reasoning.
  • Thus he refuted Galen
  • Also measured cardiac output and set about proving circulation in this way

Question 6

Who was Thomas Sydenham?

Answer 6

• Called the English hippocrates, since he emphasized bedside medicine and personal observation
  
  • Believed diseases were specific entities and not just symptoms or syndromes
• Thought there was a specific drug for a specific aliment.

Question 7

Who was Herman Boerhaave?

Answer 7

• Popularized bedside teaching
  
  • Had students observe cases twice a week
  • Understood body as a mechanism
  • First to use a thermometer, and autopsies
  • Describes esophageal rupture in violent vomiting

Question 8

How did the renaissance led to a new kind of scientific inquiry?

Answer 8

1. Thinking mechanically and quantifiably became commonplace at this time, with the rise of Isaac Newton, and Rene Descartes. Teleogy was not as widely accepted.

Question 9

The royal society of London

Answer 9

Became “THE” driving force of new science in this era, and was critical of Galen and Aristotle.
-Robert Boyle, Christopher Wren and 10 other comprised it

Question 10

Academie Royale du sciences

Answer 10

Similar to the royal society of London, and followed Descartes’s ideas.
Founded by Louis XIV

Question 11

Isaac Newton

Answer 11

Independently discovered calculus (although so did others). Famous for theories in optics and mechanics.

Question 12

Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica

Answer 12

By Isaac Newton, discussed mechanics

Question 13

Exercitatio anatomica de motu cordis et sanguinis in animalibus

Answer 13

Written by William Harvey and proposed a model of medical research, via inductive reasoning.

Question 14

Cogito Ergo sum

Answer 14

“I think, therefore, I exist” –said by Rene Descartes

Question 15

Heroic medicine

Answer 15

Bleeding and purging - widely used in the 16th century despite advances in science.