Modernaus mokslo genezė ir jėzuitų vaidmuo 1560–1773 m.: I dalis – paradigmų kaita
The genesis of modern science and the role of Jesuits (1560–1773): part one – change of paradigms

Summary/Abstract: Part one of our two-part study covers Jesuit scientific activities up to the year 1750 approximately. We examine the wide network of colleges that they established in and out of Europe in which many competent mathematicians and astronomers taught and many more studied. They did not disregard other topics and they produced a remarkable series of textbooks that had an influence beyond their schools. Although most of those who studied in their colleges did not join the Jesuit order, the skills learned and the knowledge imparted served them well in their secular activities as scientists. Indeed, many became distinguished scientists such as Rene Descartes, Marin Mersenne and Evangelista Torricelli, among others. Even Galileo Galilee, who did not attend a Jesuit college, but interacted with the leading Jesuit mathematician of the sixteenth century, Christopher Clavius, was heavily influenced by Jesuit texts that were sent to him by Clavius. The Jesuit Carlos Sommervogel in his bibliography of Jesuit authors, lists some 18 000 names. This compilation is far from complete, for not all materials of all Jesuit provinces were available to him. Approximately every third Jesuit worked in science teaching, writing or doing research. The 6 000 Jesuits who have authored at least one scientific book, textbook, or scientific paper, represent the chief input that they made to science during the two centuries that we examine here. Among these authors, an elite group of about three hundred produced the best science. They were superb scientists who played a significant role with their contribution. They even worked in areas such as calendar reform in Rome and Pekin, China.

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