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The Art of Memory and the Growth of the Scientific Method

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  • Gopal P. Sarma

    (Emory University, Atlanta, USA)

Abstract

I argue that European schools of thought on memory and memorization were critical in enabling growth of the scientific method. After giving a historical overview of the development of the memory arts from ancient Greece through 17th century Europe, I describe how the Baconian viewpoint on the scientific method was fundamentally part of a culture and a broader dialogue that conceived of memorization as a foundational methodology for structuring knowledge and for developing symbolic means for representing scientific concepts. The principal figures of this intense and rapidly evolving intellectual milieu included some of the leading thinkers traditionally associated with the scientific revolution; among others, Francis Bacon, Renes Descartes, and Gottfried Leibniz. I close by examining the acceleration of mathematical thought in light of the art of memory and its role in 17th century philosophy, and in particular, Leibniz's project to develop a universal calculus.

Suggested Citation

  • Gopal P. Sarma, 2015. "The Art of Memory and the Growth of the Scientific Method," Interdisciplinary Description of Complex Systems - scientific journal, Croatian Interdisciplinary Society Provider Homepage: http://indecs.eu, vol. 13(3), pages 373-396.
    • Handle: RePEc:zna:indecs:v:13:y:2015:i:3:p:373-396
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    Cited by:

    1. Gopal P. Sarma, 2015. "Reconsidering Written Language," Interdisciplinary Description of Complex Systems - scientific journal, Croatian Interdisciplinary Society Provider Homepage: http://indecs.eu, vol. 13(3), pages 397-404.
    2. repec:zna:indecs:v:13:y:2015:i:2:p:397-404 is not listed on IDEAS

    More about this item

    Keywords

    scientific method; scientific revolution; the Enlightenment; methodological thinking; universal calculus;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B19 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Other
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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