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Secret Science: Spanish Cosmography and the New World
The discovery of the New World raised many questions for early modern What did these lands contain? Where did they lie in relation to Europe? Who lived there, and what were their inhabitants like? Imperial expansion necessitated changes in the way scientific knowledge was gathered, and Spanish cosmographers in particular were charged with turning their observations of the New World into a body of knowledge that could be used for governing the largest empire the world had ever known. As María M. Portuondo here shows, this cosmographic knowledge had considerable strategic, defensive, and monetary value that royal scientists were charged with safeguarding from foreign and internal enemies. Cosmography was thus a secret science, but despite the limited dissemination of this body of knowledge, royal cosmographers applied alternative epistemologies and new methodologies that changed the discipline, and, in the process, how Europeans understood the natural world.
- GenresHistory
352 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 20, 2017
This was certainly interesting and gave me a lot to chew on, but pretty grueling for someone who isn't fluent in Spanish.
November 7, 2019
A well written book on the subject of Spanish navigational intelligence about the early ''New World'', and measures to shield this intelligence from competitors.
Portuondo gives insight into two major institutions on this matter at the time: one associated with the court in Madrid, the other a corporate guild in Sevilla. She point out how the questions asked about the New World changed in time, with needs and with changes in leadership on both institutional and national level. These changes reflect a shift in descriptive and sort-of anthropological sources to strong mathematical based intelligence about navigations.
One downside is that Portuondo reaches this conclusion rather early in her book, while the rest of the book is aimed at confirming this conclusion. Beside that, this book offers a remarkable insight into the dynamic history of sixteenth century navigation.
BEWARE: This book only caries theoretical information about the progression of mathematical techniques. Practical and written out calculations aren't present. Portoundo nonetheless shows she fully understands the mathematics behind her words, and decided to stick to words to preserve the book readability.
Strongly advised to anyone interested in the subject.
Portuondo gives insight into two major institutions on this matter at the time: one associated with the court in Madrid, the other a corporate guild in Sevilla. She point out how the questions asked about the New World changed in time, with needs and with changes in leadership on both institutional and national level. These changes reflect a shift in descriptive and sort-of anthropological sources to strong mathematical based intelligence about navigations.
One downside is that Portuondo reaches this conclusion rather early in her book, while the rest of the book is aimed at confirming this conclusion. Beside that, this book offers a remarkable insight into the dynamic history of sixteenth century navigation.
BEWARE: This book only caries theoretical information about the progression of mathematical techniques. Practical and written out calculations aren't present. Portoundo nonetheless shows she fully understands the mathematics behind her words, and decided to stick to words to preserve the book readability.
Strongly advised to anyone interested in the subject.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews