L'Europe de l'esprit ou la Royal Society de Londres

摘要

Georges Lamoine : The Europe of the mind : the Royal Society. This is a preliminary study of the European members of the Royal Society in the 18th century, although due to lack of sufficient documents for a small number of members, we only have scanty indications concerning some of them. The Royal Society brought together all of Europe's brilliant minds in all scientific fields, taken in a wide sense, for its aim was to unite and not to separate scientists from literati or lawyers ; all the nations of Europe were represented. Some interesting conclusions can be drawn : the three orders met side by side with no distinction of religion or language ; by far the most numerous group was that of holders of an M.D. degree, even though this qualification was simply a useful stepping-stone to more glorious careers ; and the Society seems to have been a haven of toleration. An appendix gives the list of European members of the Royal Society.