The Invisible World

In the seventeenth century the microscope opened up a new world of observation, and, according to Catherine Wilson, profoundly revised the thinking of scientists and philosophers alike. The interior of nature, once closed off to both sympathetic intuition and direct perception, was now accessible with the help of optical instruments. Focusing on the earliest forays into microscopical research, from 1620 to 1720, this book provides us with both a compelling technological history and a lively assessment of the new knowledge that helped launch philosophy into the modern era. "A very stimulating discussion of the interplay between scientific theory and scientific instrumentation, in the context of an instrument with which most feel familiar.... Fully documented and intensively argued."--Brian Bracegirdle, New Scientist"Wilson shows that microscopic observations reinforced the contemporary idea of the 'living machine'--that is, a reductionist view of nature. And therein lies the ultimate paradox of our machine-driven science: the essence of our natural world remains hidden despite our increasingly sophisticated scientific technology."--Willem Hackmann, Nature"The Invisible World is a welcome step toward a renewed appreciation of classical light microscopy."--Nicolas Rasmussen, Contemporary Sociology