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A Subtle and Mysterious Machine’The Alembic of Our Pen’: Charleton’s Identity as a Physician

A Subtle and Mysterious Machine: ’The Alembic of Our Pen’: Charleton’s Identity as a Physician CHAPTER III ‘THE ALEMBIC OF OUR PEN’: CHARLETON’S IDENTITY AS A PHYSICIAN The ensuing discussion examines the profile that Charleton constructed for his readers, and explores contemporary notions about the identity of physicians and virtuosi. The author’s presentation of his activities reveals much about his epis- temological assumptions, which are central to any understanding of his identity. The manner in which he discovered and presented knowledge of the world around him is indicative of his professional context and the relative meaning he gave to a variety of sources. From these we can understand much about his epis- temological values. I examine the identity that Charleton claimed for himself as a physician, and the kind of knowledges that he invoked, in an attempt to untan- gle the complex relationship between medical and natural philosophical sources of authority. I explore the basis upon which he claimed authority for his pro- nouncements. Alongside this, it is imperative to consider how he constructed the audience for which his publications were intended. The following analysis of Charleton’s representations of his own interests and activities is organised around three main themes: character/temperament; epistemological decorum; publications and language. Within each of these themes I discuss the http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

A Subtle and Mysterious Machine’The Alembic of Our Pen’: Charleton’s Identity as a Physician

Part of the Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Book Series (volume 18)
Editors: Booth, Emily
Springer Journals — Jan 1, 2005
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28 pages

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Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Copyright
© Springer 2005
ISBN
978-1-4020-3377-3
Pages
52 –80
DOI
10.1007/1-4020-3378-8_3
Publisher site
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Abstract

CHAPTER III ‘THE ALEMBIC OF OUR PEN’: CHARLETON’S IDENTITY AS A PHYSICIAN The ensuing discussion examines the profile that Charleton constructed for his readers, and explores contemporary notions about the identity of physicians and virtuosi. The author’s presentation of his activities reveals much about his epis- temological assumptions, which are central to any understanding of his identity. The manner in which he discovered and presented knowledge of the world around him is indicative of his professional context and the relative meaning he gave to a variety of sources. From these we can understand much about his epis- temological values. I examine the identity that Charleton claimed for himself as a physician, and the kind of knowledges that he invoked, in an attempt to untan- gle the complex relationship between medical and natural philosophical sources of authority. I explore the basis upon which he claimed authority for his pro- nouncements. Alongside this, it is imperative to consider how he constructed the audience for which his publications were intended. The following analysis of Charleton’s representations of his own interests and activities is organised around three main themes: character/temperament; epistemological decorum; publications and language. Within each of these themes I discuss the

Published: Jan 1, 2005

Keywords: Royal Society; Seventeenth Century; Natural Philosopher; Late Seventeenth Century; Improve Natural Philosophy

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