R. Hooykaas & H. Van Dyke (Trans.)
University Press of America
1997
ISBN
This book offers a comprehensive study of the thought of Robert Boyle in the context of his time. Boyle was a pioneer of experimental physics and founder of modern chemistry. Hooykaas provides a historical study of the relations between science and Christian faith in Boyle focusing on his views of religion, revelation, reason and experience. Boyle’s conception of science is compared with those of Descartes, Gassendi, Newton, Bacon and Pascal. It is a close textual study of the collected works of Boyle using the edition of 1772. It corrects criticism that Hooykaas abused history of science to engage in Christian apologetics. It is intended for historians of science, philosophers of science, students of religion and science relations, Boyle scholars, and historians of chemistry.