Observations upon experimental philosophy : abridged, with related texts : from the second edition, publishes in 1668, in London, by A. Maxwell

Margaret Cavendish's Observations upon Experimental Philosophy holds a unique position in early modern philosophy. Cavendish rejects the picture of nature as a grand machine that was propounded by Hobbes and Descartes; she also rejects the alternative views of nature that make reference to immaterial spirits. Instead she develops an original system of organicist materialism, and draws on the doctrines of ancient Stoicism to attack the tenets of seventeenth-century mechanical philosophy. Her treatise is a document of major importance in the history of women's contributions to philosophy and science. "Margaret Cavendish's philosophical work is at last taking its rightful place in the history of seventeenth-century thought, but her writings are so voluminous and wide-ranging that introducing her work to students has been difficult—at least until this volume came along. This carefully edited abridgment of Observations upon Experimental Philosophy will be indispensable for making Cavendish's fascinating ideas accessible to students. Marshall's Introduction provides a helpful overview of themes in Cavendish's natural philosophy, and the footnotes contain useful background information about some of the texts and philosophers that Cavendish mentions. The additional selections from Descartes, Hobbes, Boyle, and Hooke also help contextualize Cavendish's views." —Deborah Boyle, College of Charleston Editor's Introduction Life and Works Natural Philosophy Other Works, Other Themes Reading Cavendish Today A Note on This Edition Observations upon Experimental Philosphy Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 5 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 31 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Further Observations upon Experimental Philosophy Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Selections from the Writings of Cavendish's Contemporaries From The Principles of Philosophy From Leviathan From The Usefulness of Experiemental Philosophy From Micrographia From The Excellence and Grounds of the Mechanical Natural Philosophy Bibliography Index Margaret Cavendish ; Edited, With An Introduction, By Eugene Marshall. From The Second Edition, Published In 1668, In London, By A. Maxwell. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.