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cover of episode HoP 457 - Take Your Medicine - Oliva Sabuco and Camilla Erculiani

HoP 457 - Take Your Medicine - Oliva Sabuco and Camilla Erculiani

2024/11/24
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History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps

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Peter Adamson: 本期节目探讨了十六世纪晚期两位非传统思想家——奥利瓦·萨布科和卡米拉·埃库利亚尼的自然哲学和医学思想。萨布科的《人的新哲学》挑战了传统医学理论,提出了一种新的生理学理论,认为“希勒”(一种乳状液体)是维持生命的重要物质,并以此解释疾病和死亡。该书的作者身份曾一度存疑,其父米格尔声称自己是真正作者。但无论作者是谁,其大胆的思想和自信的态度都值得关注。萨布科的理论可能反映了女性主义的视角,强调了女性身体的特性和重要性。 埃库利亚尼是一位药剂师,她的著作探讨了自然哲学与圣经故事的关系,试图用自然哲学的观点解释诺亚洪水。她认为洪水是由于地球减少而非水位上升造成的。她的理论虽然奇特,但反映了她对自然现象进行理性解释的意图,也体现了女性在自然哲学领域的能力。萨布科和埃库利亚尼都以业余身份为荣,这符合文艺复兴时期对非传统思想的推崇。她们的思想都受到了宗教裁判所的关注,但最终都未受到严厉的惩罚,这反映了当时宗教审查的复杂性。

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Key Insights

Why was there skepticism about the authorship of works attributed to women in earlier times?

Historians often doubted the authenticity of works attributed to women due to societal biases, assuming that more sophisticated texts could not have been written by women. This skepticism was rooted in sexist assumptions about women's intellectual capabilities.

What evidence was found to challenge Oliva Sabuco's authorship of 'The New Philosophy of Human Nature'?

Archival evidence, including Oliva's father Miguel's will, suggested that he was the true author of the work. Miguel claimed he allowed the book to be published under his daughter's name for honor but later wanted to claim financial proceeds himself.

What was the central theme of Oliva Sabuco's 'The New Philosophy of Human Nature'?

The work emphasized the fundamentally physical and embodied nature of human life, focusing on the role of the body in determining thoughts, emotions, and health. It rejected traditional Galenic and Aristotelian theories in favor of a new physiological understanding.

What unique substance did Sabuco propose as central to human life and health?

Sabuco introduced 'chile' (xile), a milky fluid that originates in the brain and flows through the spinal column to nourish the body. This substance replaced the traditional vital heat theory of Galen and Aristotle.

How did Camilla Erculiani's work reflect her background as an apothecary?

Erculiani's letters discussed natural philosophy and biblical exegesis, drawing on her knowledge of medicine and the elements. She proposed that human bodies contained a large proportion of earth, influencing their physical and emotional states.

What was Erculiani's explanation for the flood described in the Bible?

Erculiani theorized that the flood was caused by a reduction in the earth under people's feet, as humans had absorbed too much earth into their bodies, making them giants. This imbalance led to the waters rising as the earth fell.

How did both Sabuco and Erculiani challenge traditional gender roles in their works?

Both authors emphasized their amateur status and lack of formal education, using it as a point of pride. They demonstrated that women could engage in sophisticated natural philosophy and biblical interpretation, challenging the notion that such knowledge was exclusive to men.

What role did the Inquisition play in the lives of Sabuco and Erculiani?

Sabuco's work was corrected by the Inquisition, while Erculiani was charged with heresy but ultimately not condemned. Her lawyer argued that her scientific ideas should not be taken as theological statements, allowing her to avoid punishment.

Chapters
This chapter investigates the authorship of Oliva Sabuco's "The New Philosophy of Human Nature." It explores the controversy surrounding her authorship, with evidence suggesting her father, Miguel Sabuco, may have been the true author. The chapter also delves into the book's content and style, noting its innovative approach to medicine and natural philosophy.
  • Controversy surrounds the authorship of "The New Philosophy of Human Nature", with Miguel Sabuco claiming authorship in his will.
  • The book presents innovative theories about the human body and medicine, challenging traditional views.
  • The text's style, using Spanish instead of Latin and featuring down-to-earth examples, is discussed.

Shownotes Transcript

Natural philosophy and medicine in the work of two unorthodox thinkers of the late sixteenth century, both of them women.