Science and Medieval Thought The Harveian Oration Delivered Before the Royal College of Physicians, October 18, 1900

"Science and Medieval Thought" by T. Clifford Allbutt is a historical exploration of how the Middle Ages, often seen as scientifically uneventful, actually played a crucial part in shaping modern science. Beginning with the Harveian Oration, the book examines how medieval philosophy and theology influenced the development of scientific thinking, particularly through figures such as William Harvey. Allbutt sheds light on elements such as scholasticism, the conflict between realism and nominalism, and the gradual move toward hands-on, empirical methods as the Renaissance approached. Ultimately, the goal is to encourage the reader to reconsider the standard narrative of scientific history and realize how significantly the Middle Ages contributed to our understanding of the world.