19 - 22 April 2017, Scientiae 2017: disciplines of knowing in the early modern world, Padua, Italy

The major premise of the Scientiae conference series is that knowledge in the early modern world (roughly 1400-1800) was inherently interdisciplinary, involving complex mixtures of theories, practices and objects, which had yet to be separated into their modern 'scientific' configurations. Although centred on attempts to understand and control the natural world, Scientiae addresses natural philosophy, natural history, and the scientiae mixtae within a wide range of related fields, including but not restricted to Biblical exegesis, medicine, artisan practice and theory, logic, humanism, alchemy, magic, witchcraft, demonology, divinatory practices, astronomy, astrology, music, antiquarianism, experimentation and commerce.

This year attention is especially given to the history of early modern knowledge and erudition, the history of universities, particularly though not exclusively the history of the university of Padua, as well as the history of the book and the history of political thought. Our Keynote Speakers will be Paula Findlen (Stanford), Claire Preston (QM London), and Antonio Clericuzio (Roma Tre).