Andrea Strazzoni Books

The book explores the significant contributions of Burchard de Volder, an influential natural philosopher whose legacy has largely faded from historical records. It highlights his pivotal role in establishing the first experimental cabinet at a European university in 1675, showcasing his impact on the development of scientific thought. Readers will gain insight into de Volder's ideas and the importance of his work in the context of the scientific revolution.

The evolution of philosophy and science in the 17th and 18th centuries is examined through the lens of Cartesianism in Dutch universities and its 18th-century legacy. The book highlights how logic and metaphysics shifted from traditional roles to becoming tools for justifying natural philosophy. This transformation arose from their use in establishing natural philosophy as indubitable knowledge and the internal debates of Cartesianism, alongside competing views from figures like Hobbes and Spinoza, which diminished the foundational role of these disciplines.