This is the homepage for PL2104-Magic, Medicine and Science, Fall 2007, Polytechnic University.  Choose from the selection below.  This page will be updated periodically.

• Syllabus
• Guidelines for writing philosophy papers
• Study guide questions
• Paper topics

• Scheme of Influences and Reactions
• Aristotle's Cosmos
• Plato's Geometric Atomism
• Plotinus' Metaphysics
• Lactantius on Hermes Trismegistus
• Augustine on Hermes Trismegistus
• Ficino's Natural Magic
• Ficino vs. Pico:  Natural vs. Supernatural Magic
• Pico's Conclusions:  Selections
• The Cosmos according to Phillipus Aureolis Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim
• Galenic vs. Paracelsian Medicine
• Ptolemaic models
• Galileo on Motion
• Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
• Descartes' Physics
• Laws of Motion:  Descartes &  Newton

• Relevant articles in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:
• "Democritus" and "Leucippus"
• "Plato's Middle Metaphysics and Epistemology"
• "Plotinus"
• "Ancient Theories of Soul"
• "Cambridge Platonists"
• "Newton on Space, Time and Motion"
• Mark Cohen's Ancient Philosophy lecture notes
• Richard Hatch's History of Science study guide