The Christian Philosopher - Hardcover

Mather, Cotton; Solberg, Winton U.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0252019520 ISBN 13: 9780252019524

Publisher: Univ of Illinois Pr, 1994

Synopsis

The prominent Puritan clergyman Cotton Mather published The Christian Philosopher in 1721, eight years after he had been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of London. The first comprehensive book on science written by an American, it was intended to demonstrate the harmony between science and religion. Mather surveyed all the known sciences from astronomy and physics to human anatomy. He presented evidence that both celestial and terrestrial phenomena imply an intelligent designer.
Winton Solberg's introduction places Mather's treatise in its widest historical context. In addition to tracing the origins and sources of Mather's work, Solberg analyzes the book's contents, its reception, and its significance in American intellectual and cultural history. This edition returns Mather to his rightful place in American thought, as a deeply religious intellectual whose warm reception of the new science helped bridge the gap between the medieval worldview and the scientific revolution of Copernicus and Newton.

About this title

Review

"Solberg's splendid scholarship will help rehabilitate the reputation of the most prominent intellect of early eighteenth-century America... All students of early American science, literature, and religion will want to consult this book." -- Gerald McDermott, Religious Studies Review ADVANCE PRAISE "Hardly any intellectual concern was more important in the eighteenth century than natural theology, and Cotton Mather's Christian Philosopher was the great colonial British American compendium on the subject. Full of esoteric lore and obscure references, Mather's text has awaited a scholar with the tenacity and determination of Winton Solberg who could produce the definitive critical edition that we now at last have of this classic work." -- Norman Fiering, John Carter Brown Library, Brown University "Solberg has matched Cotton Mather in the industry, thoroughness, and zest with which he has undertaken and completed his task." -- John C. Greene, author of American Science in the Age of Jefferson

From the Back Cover

Published in 1721 by the prominent Puritan clergyman Cotton Mather, The Christian Philosopher was the first comprehensive book on science to be written by an American. Building on natural theology, Mather demonstrated the harmony between religion and the new science associated with Sir Isaac Newton. His survey of all the known sciences from astronomy and physics to human anatomy presented evidence that both celestial and terrestrial phenomena imply an intelligent designer.

Winton Solberg's introduction places Mather's treatise in its widest historical context. In addition to tracing the origins and sources of Mather's work, Solberg analyzes the book's contents, its reception, and its significance in American intellectual and cultural history. This edition affirms Mather's importance to American thought, as a deeply religious intellectual who introduced the Enlightenment to America.

Edition details

• Publisher: Univ of Illinois Pr
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0252019520
• ISBN 13: 9780252019524
• Binding: Hardcover