John Henry (historian)
Encyclopedia
John Henry is a Historian of Science in the Science Studies Unit at the University of Edinburgh
associated with the Strong Programme
.
He has written books and articles on numerous topics in the history of sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth century science including books on the work of Francis Bacon
, the Scientific Revolution
, and Nicolaus Copernicus
. His articles include research on the work of Isaac Newton
and later Newtonianism
, Atomism
and a range of other subjects. Often his focus is on on the unexpected links between the development of modern science and previous systems of knowledge and understanding, particularly those of Natural Magic
. In this respect his work can be seen to disagree with The Zilsel Thesis
which sees the emergence of modern Science as being a radical break with the previous religious or magical traditions. Instead of seeing a great rift, John Henry's work emphasises the importance of investigative techniques taken from magical traditions for many of the key figures of the scientific revolution.
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
associated with the Strong Programme
Strong programme
The strong programme or Strong Sociology is a variety of the sociology of scientific knowledge particularly associated with David Bloor, Barry Barnes, Harry Collins, Donald A. MacKenzie, and John Henry. The strong programme's influence on Science and Technology Studies is credited as being...
.
He has written books and articles on numerous topics in the history of sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth century science including books on the work of Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Albans, KC was an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, lawyer, jurist, author and pioneer of the scientific method. He served both as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England...
, the Scientific Revolution
Scientific revolution
The Scientific Revolution is an era associated primarily with the 16th and 17th centuries during which new ideas and knowledge in physics, astronomy, biology, medicine and chemistry transformed medieval and ancient views of nature and laid the foundations for modern science...
, and Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicolaus Copernicus was a Renaissance astronomer and the first person to formulate a comprehensive heliocentric cosmology which displaced the Earth from the center of the universe....
. His articles include research on the work of Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton PRS was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian, who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived."...
and later Newtonianism
Newtonianism
Newtonianism is a doctrine that involves following the principles and using the methods of natural philosopher Isaac Newton. While Newton's influential contributions were primarily in physics and mathematics, his broad conception of the universe as being governed by rational and understandable laws...
, Atomism
Atomism
Atomism is a natural philosophy that developed in several ancient traditions. The atomists theorized that the natural world consists of two fundamental parts: indivisible atoms and empty void.According to Aristotle, atoms are indestructible and immutable and there are an infinite variety of shapes...
and a range of other subjects. Often his focus is on on the unexpected links between the development of modern science and previous systems of knowledge and understanding, particularly those of Natural Magic
Natural Magic
is a work of popular science by Giambattista della Porta first published in Naples in 1558. Its popularity ensured it was republished in five Latin editions within ten years, with translations into Italian , French, and Dutch printed.Natural Magic was revised and considerably expanded...
. In this respect his work can be seen to disagree with The Zilsel Thesis
The Zilsel Thesis
The Zilsel thesis in the history and philosophy of science proposes an explanation for why modern science emerged in the early 17th century in Western Europe and not in other places or eras....
which sees the emergence of modern Science as being a radical break with the previous religious or magical traditions. Instead of seeing a great rift, John Henry's work emphasises the importance of investigative techniques taken from magical traditions for many of the key figures of the scientific revolution.
Works
- Knowledge is Power: Francis Bacon and the Method of Science (2002)
- The Scientific Revolution and the Origins of Modern Science (1997, 2002 2nd ed)
- Moving Heaven and Earth: Copernicus and the Solar System (2001)
- Scientific knowledge: a sociological analysis (with David BloorDavid BloorDavid Bloor is a professor in, and a former director of, the at the University of Edinburgh .He started his academic career in philosophy and psychology. In the 1970s he and Barry Barnes were the major figures of the strong programme, which put forward queries against philosophical a priorism in...
and S. Barry Barnes) (1996)