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Pseudodoxia epidemica

  • Thomas Browne

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Pseudodoxia Epidemica or Enquries into very many received tenets and commonly presumed truths, also known simply as Pseudodoxia Epidemica or Vulgar Errors, is a work by Thomas Browne refuting the common errors and superstitions of his age. It first appeared in 1646 and went through five subsequent editions, the last revision occurring in 1672. The work includes evidence of Browne's adherence to the Baconian method of empirical observation of nature, and was in the vanguard of work-in-progress scientific journalism in the 17th century scientific revolution, though he refers to his work as an encyclopaedia. Throughout its pages frequent examples of Browne's subtle humour can also be found. Browne's three determinants for obtaining truth were firstly, the authority of past authors, secondly, the act of reason and lastly, empirical experience. Each of these determinants are employed upon subjects ranging from the cosmological to common folklore. Subjects covered in Pseudodoxia are arranged in the time-honoured Renaissance scale of creation, the learned doctor assaying to dispel errors and fallacies concerning the mineral, vegetable and animal kingdoms before moving to errors pictorial, to those of man, geography, astronomy and finally of the cosmos.

Genres

  • Antiquities
  • Christian life
  • Common fallacies
  • Gardening
  • Learning and scholarship
  • Natural history
  • Pre-Linnean works
  • Superstition
  • Urn burial
  • Popular Errors
  • Superstitions
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About the author

  • Thomas Browne

    1605 - 1682

    5.00

    1 ratings · 126 works

Editions

  • Edition cover

    Scolar Press

    1972

  • Edition cover

    Clarendon Press, Oxford University Press

    1981

  • Edition cover

    Scolar Press

    1972

  • Edition cover

    Readex Microprint

    1975

Edition cover

The fifth edition .. whereunto are now added two discourses, the one of urne-burial .. the other of the Garden of Cyrus ..

Printed for the assigns of Edward Dod

1669

  • Edition cover

    The last ed., corr. and enl. by the authour. Together vvith some marginal observations, and a table alphabetical at the end.

    N. Ekins

    1659

  • Edition cover

    The third edition, corrected and enlarged by the author. Together with some marginall observations, and a table alphabeticall at the end.

    Printed by R.W. for Nath. Ekins ...

    1658

  • Edition cover

    Clarendon Press

    1981

  • Edition cover

    Clarendon Press

    1981

  • Edition cover

    The second edition, corrected and much enlarged by the author. Together with some marginall observations, and a table alphabeticall at the end.

    printed by A. Miller, for Edw. Dod and Nath. Ekins, at the Gunne in Ivie Lane

    1650

  • Edition cover

    The second edition, corrected and much enlarged by the author. Together with some marginall observations, and a table alphabeticall at the end ...

    Printed by A. Miller, for Edw. Dod and Nath. Ekins

    1650