The Life Sciences in Eighteenth-Century French Thought

Abstract

Preface Part I. The End of the Renaissance, 1600-1670: 1. The medical and scientific spirit of the first half of the seventeenth century 2. The battle with shadows 3. In search of clear ideas Conclusion Part II. The Scientists' Philosophy, 1670-1745: 4. The new scientific mentality 5. New discoveries in animal reproduction 6. The pre-existence of germs Conclusion Part III. The Philosophers' Science, 1745-1770: 8. Precursors and mavericks 9. Buffon 10. Resistance to the new science Conclusion Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index.