Recent scholarship in the history of science has focussed on the notion of the “persona”, defined as “a cultural identity that simultaneously shapes the individual in body and mind and creates a collective with a shared and recognizable physiognomy.” While it is well known that the persona of the scientist emerged only in the 19th century, increasing attention has been dedicated to the multiplicity of personae which were involved in the process of knowledge acquisition in the early modern period. In this paper one of these cultural identities, that of the scientific observer, which developed in the 17th century along with the introduction of new instruments like the telescope and the microscope, is discussed. In particular, the focus is on microscopy and the work of Marcello Malpighi, one of the leading figures in this field from the 1660s to the end of the 17th century.

Marcello Malpighi and the virtues of scientific observation

BRESADOLA, Marco
2013

Abstract

Recent scholarship in the history of science has focussed on the notion of the “persona”, defined as “a cultural identity that simultaneously shapes the individual in body and mind and creates a collective with a shared and recognizable physiognomy.” While it is well known that the persona of the scientist emerged only in the 19th century, increasing attention has been dedicated to the multiplicity of personae which were involved in the process of knowledge acquisition in the early modern period. In this paper one of these cultural identities, that of the scientific observer, which developed in the 17th century along with the introduction of new instruments like the telescope and the microscope, is discussed. In particular, the focus is on microscopy and the work of Marcello Malpighi, one of the leading figures in this field from the 1660s to the end of the 17th century.
2013
9783487150062
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11392/1820304
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