Routledge - A Cultural History of Medical Vitalism in Montpellier

Explore the origins of modern science and medicine through this historical study of Enlightenment-era Montpellier. During the eighteenth century, the search for universal laws shaped how thinkers understood the universe. While many sought these truths, physicians at the University of Medicine of Montpellier took a different path. Starting in the 1740s, these medical professionals began to challenge the Cartesian dualist concept of the body-machine. This book examines how their views on the differences between living and inanimate matter helped shape medical thought. It provides a detailed look at how these scientific shifts occurred within a specific historical and cultural context. This academic work is an essential resource for those studying the history of medicine and the evolution of scientific thought. By looking at the debates within the University of Medicine of Montpellier, readers gain insight into the transition from traditional views to modern medical perspectives.