Defoe and the New Sciences

ISBN-13: 9780521402798 / Angielski / Twarda / 1996 / 216 str.

Ilse Vickers (University College London)

Opis

In his long career as a writer Daniel Defoe never tired of advocating the value of personal observation and experience, or his belief in man's God-given duty to explore and make productive use of nature. In this first major study of Bacon's legacy to Defoe, Ilse Vickers shows that the ideas and concepts of Baconian science were a major influence on Defoe's thinking and writing. She outlines the intellectual principles behind Baconian science, and considers a wide range of Defoe's work, from the point of view of his familiarity with the ideals of experimental philosophy.

Recenzje

"This short study will interest both cultural and literary historians." Barbara Shapiro, Albion

Spis treści

Part I. The Baconian Scientific Milieu: 1. The legacy of Francis Bacon; 2. The selective taking-up of Bacon's ideas: biographical sketches of five followers of Bacon; 3. Charles Morton and the new sciences; Part II. Daniel Defoe: 4. Daniel Defoe and the Baconian legacy; 5. Defoe's General History of Trade: its relation to the Baconian histories; 6. Robinson Crusoe: man's progressive dominion over nature; 7. A New Voyage round the World: Defoe the traveller-scientist by sea; 8. Defoe's Tour: a natural history of man and his activities; Appendix.