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[On tremulations. Emanuel Swedenborg's iatromechanics]
1David.Duner@kult.lu.se
Svensk Medicinhistorisk Tidskrift
|December 13, 2006
Summary
Emanuel Swedenborg used wave and circle metaphors to explain physical phenomena and bodily functions. His theories linked water waves to sound, light, and even nerve impulses, viewing the body as a mechanical instrument.
Area of Science:
- * History of Science
- * Philosophy of Science
- * Early Modern Science
Background:
- * Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772), a Swedish natural philosopher, developed theories based on observations of water waves.
- * He applied the wave metaphor to phenomena like sound and light, and later to biological processes.
Discussion:
- * Swedenborg's 1718 publication in *Daedalus Hyperboreus* outlined a theory of tremulations.
- * A 1720 manuscript detailed his idea that life processes, specifically nerve activity, operate via waves or tremors.
- * He aligned with iatromechanics, conceptualizing the body as a complex machine.
Key Insights:
- * Swedenborg proposed that nerve functions are analogous to waves or tremors.
- * He utilized the metaphor of the circle to describe bodily circulations, such as blood flow and respiration.
- * These circulations were paralleled with planetary motions, reflecting a mechanistic worldview.
Outlook:
- * Swedenborg's work exemplifies the use of physical metaphors in early scientific inquiry.
- * His theories highlight the historical connection between mechanical philosophy and biological understanding.
- * Further research could explore the influence of Swedenborg's mechanistic and wave-based concepts on subsequent scientific thought.
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