The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700
Jokes of Nature and Jokes of Knowledge: The Playfulness of Scientific Discourse in Early Modern Europe
Secondary Title (i.e. Proceedings Title): Periodical Title:Renaissance Quarterly Publication Type:Journal Article Authors:Findlen,PaulaEditors: Publisher: Place of Publication: Publication Date:1990 Alternate Date (i.e. Conference Date): Volume:43 Issue:2 Start Page:292 End Page:331 Abstract:During the 16th and 17th centuries science rediscovered a capacity for playfulness in the scientific joke - the 'lusus naturae' (joke of nature) and the 'lusus scientiae' (joke of knowledge). As a taxonomic principle, the scientific joke provided a category where irregular creations could be fitted. Moreover, the scientific joke kept the boundaries between the natural and the artificial flexible and permeable; the confusion between the two categories provided room for playfulness in scientific discourse during these centuries. The Enlightenment of the 18th century, influenced by Galilean, Cartesian, and Newtonian science, offered less opportunity for the scientific joke and eliminated it from the language of scientific research. [J. H. Pragman]
Descriptors/Keywords:Science
Jokes
Europe
ISBN:00344338 URL:http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hia&AN=H001419542.01&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live
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