Jesuits and the Sciences, 1540-1999
Description
A remarkable characteristic of the Society of Jesus during the period of its first founding (1540-1773) was the involvement of its members in the sciences. The reasons for this interest in scientific study can be found in the nature and mission of the order itself. Saint Ignatius Loyola considered the acquisition of knowledge and the performance of mundane labor as spiritually profitable tasks, and this fostered in the Society an action-oriented, utilitarian mentality sympathetic to scientific study. In addition, the role of the Society as the "schoolmasters of Europe" meant that the pedagogically (and scientifically) useful principles of rationality, method, and efficiency were highly valued. The tight-knit organization of the Society created among its members habits of cooperation and communication, essential for the gathering and exchange of scientific information. Finally, mission work in Asia and the Americas gave the Jesuits opportunities and impetus to study and record the phenomena of these new worlds.
Credits
1996 credits: Original display created by Eric Holzenberg, Rare Book Cataloger; Expanded Internet exhibit created by Michael White, Science Librarian; Special thanks to Br. Michael Grace, University Archivist. Updated 2010 by Kathy Young, University Archivist/Curator of Rare Books
Sections
1540-1620
Early Jesuit involvement in the sciences.
1620-1659
Jesuit scientific thought during the first half of the 17th century.
1660-1719
Jesuit scientific writing during the second half of the seventeenth century.
1720-1773
Jesuit scientific thought during the 18th century.
1814-1900
Jesuit scientific thought in the 19th century.
1901-1999
Jesuit scientific thought in the 20th century.
Bibliography
Sources consulted for this exhibit.