Kniha přírody jako otevřená epistemologická otázka raného novověku: K teologickým konceptům přírody v díle Johanna Arndta (1555–1621) a Samuela Fabricia (1577–1625)
The Book of Nature as an Open Epistemological Question in the Early Modern Period: On Theological Concepts in the Works of Johann Arndt (1555–1621)and Samuel Fabricius (1577–1625)

Summary/Abstract: The article deals with the interpretation of nature in the writings of two early modern Lutheran theological thinkers, Johann Arndt and Samuel Fabricius, and this against the background of the significance of these theological concepts for an (empirical) understanding of nature, at the time an issue of ever increasing importance. The authors’ approach and reasoning are analysed in the context of the then status of nature, showing in what way and to what extent the theologians’ ideas related to the distinct trend of natural scientists to study nature not (primarily) as creation. The concluding synthesis argues for a principal difference between teleological and causal reasoning of that time, which requires a different type of cognition. This study, however, dismisses polarising thinking. What the article points out as positive is the heuristic function of these concepts on the way to scientific knowledge.

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