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Springer MRW: [AU:0, IDX:0] L Libavius, Andreas insisting on the importance of logic in the organi- zation of knowledge and argumentation. With this Elisabeth Moreau in mind, he sought to demonstrate the Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium longstanding compatibility between alchemy, Aristotelian natural philosophy, and Galenic med- Related Topics icine in order to counter the Paracelsian rupture with the tradition. Moreover, Libavius expounded Alchemy · Medicine · Natural philosophy an account of elements and principles which oper- ated in both alchemical and medical contexts. In Synonyms this regard, he contributed an innovative theory of matter drawing on the Aristotelian notion of mat- ter–form and Democritean atomism—an eclectic Libau, Andreas interpretation which influenced Daniel Sennert. Introduction Life and Works In the history of early modern science, the German From the previous studies on Libavius’ academic physician Andreas Libavius (Halle, Saxony, and professional life (Moran 2007; Hubicki c.1550–Coburg, Bavaria, 1616) is known for hav- 2008), we know that he received a training in ing promoted the institutionalization of alchemy philosophy at the universities of Wittenberg and in the academic sphere along with the creation of Jena (1578–1579) as well as a medical degree at laboratories and instruments. Libavius was also Basel (1588). In his professional career, Libavius remarkable for his extended network of scholarly was appointed as a municipal physician and a friends and foes. On the one hand, he developed a school inspector in Rothenburg (1591–1606), vast epistolary work in connection with the med- and later became gymnasium rector in Coburg ical Republic of Letters in the Holy Roman (1607–1616), without ever obtaining a university Empire. On the other hand, he was a relentless position. This partly explains the vitriolic tone of opponent of the Paracelsian philosophy. For this his publications against Paracelsian rivals like reason, many of his works are polemical treatises Johannes Hartmann, who benefited from court aimed at Paracelsian physicians. While blaming patronage to develop his alchemical views at the latter for their difficult terminology and con- intellectual, academic and experimental levels. fusing discourse, Libavius was constantly Libavius nonetheless managed to publish a © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021 D. Jalobeanu, C. T. Wolfe (eds.), Encyclopedia of Early Modern Philosophy and the Sciences, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20791-9_490-1 2 Libavius, Andreas considerable number of alchemical treatises over and discrete material components which he more than 20 years. These works consist of col- described as Democritean atoms (Newman 2006; lections of letters, practical texts concerning lab- Libavius 1607). oratories, instruments, operations, and recipes as His obedience to Galenic medicine led him to well as philosophical considerations on the struc- rail against “empirics” and Paracelsian remedies ture of knowledge and bodies. like panaceas and weapon salve (Moran 2007; Libavius’ first epistolary works are included in Libavius 1594). One of his last treatises the Exa- the Rerum chymicarum epistolica forma, that is men philosophiae novae, was a vigorous attack two volumes of letters to his circle of colleagues against the academic teaching of Paracelsian and friends—mostly German physicians and chymiatria by Johannes Hartmann, and against medical students (Libavius 1595). The letters some “new” doctrines of magic, Paracelsian, and aimed to define alchemy as an art and a science, Rosicrucian nature (Moran 2007; Forshaw 2008; to clarify its terminology and processes, and to Keller 2010; Libavius 1615). disqualify the Paracelsian system (Moran 2007). Libavius also had a private correspondence which is still unpublished, apart from his letters to the Cross-References German physician Sigismund Schnitzer (Hornung 1626). ▶ Alchemical Images His most famous work is a textbook of ▶ Aristotelian Logic in Early Modern Thought alchemy, the Alchemia, which was augmented ▶ Chemistry Teaching and Textbooks in the Sev- with commentaries including a rich imagery in enteenth Century the Alchymia recognita (Libavius 1597; Libavius ▶ Chymistry (Alchemy/Chemistry) 1606). The latter contains a systematic description ▶ Empirics in Early Modern Medicine of furnaces, utensils, and various operations for ▶ Galenism in Early Modern Philosophy and the preparation of compounds, while providing an Medicine architectural description of the model “chemical ▶ Matter–Form (Hylomorphism) house” (Hannaway 1986; Newman 1999). Other ▶ Paracelsus and Early Modern Paracelsianism treatises on alchemical processes and drug recipes ▶ Ramus and Ramism can be found among Libavius’ works, for instance ▶ Sennert, Daniel on elixir making according to pseudo–Villanova ▶ Trees, Diagrams, and Visual Metaphors and pseudo–Lull (Libavius 1599), and on the dis- tillation of various medicinal waters and oils (Libavius 1604). References Libavius expounded his views on alchemy in connection with logic, natural philosophy, and Primary Literature medicine. For the organization of alchemical Hornung J (1626) Cista medica. Simon Halbmaier, knowledge, he advocated a Philippo–Ramist Nuremberg account of logic and rhetoric, which was illus- Libavius A (1594) Tractatus duo physici. Johannes Saur/ fi Peter Kopff, Frankfurt trated by a classi cation into dichotomous trees Libavius A (1595) Rerum chymicarum epistolica forma. (Hannaway 1975; Moran 2019; Wels 2019; Johann Saur/Peter Kopff, Frankfurt Libavius 1597). His conception of the three prin- Libavius A (1597) Alchemia. Johann Saur/Peter Kopff, ciples (Salt, Sulfur and Mercury) was integrated Frankfurt Libavius A (1599) Novus de medicina veterum...tractatus. into an Aristotelian and Galenic interpretation of Peter Kopff, Frankfurt elements, matter–form, and temperament Libavius A (1604) Praxis alchymiae. Johann Saur/Peter according to medieval alchemical texts (Moreau Kopff, Frankfurt 2019; Libavius 1599). In his later works, Libavius Libavius A (1606) Alchymia recognita, emendata, et aucta. Johann Saur/Peter Kopff, Frankfurt proposed an original explanation of alchemical Libavius A (1607) Alchymia triumphans. Johann Saur/ principles as homogeneous mixtures of elements Peter Kopff, Frankfurt Libavius, Andreas 3 Libavius A (1615) Examen philosophiae novae. Peter Moran BT (2019) Defending Aristotle, constructing Kopff, Frankfurt chymia: Libavius, logic, and the German schools. In: Omodeo PD, Wels V (eds) Natural knowledge and Secondary Literature Aristotelianism at early modern protestant universities. Harrassowitz Verlag, Wiesbaden, pp 235–254 Forshaw PJ (2008) ‘Paradoxes, absurdities, and madness’: Moreau E (2019) Reforming the Prisca Medicina: conflict over alchemy, magic and medicine in the works Libavius’ axioms of elements and mixture. In: Omodeo of Andreas Libavius and Heinrich Khunrath. Early Sci PD, Wels V (eds) Natural knowledge and Aristotelian- Med 13:53–81 ism at early modern protestant universities. Wiesbaden, Hannaway O (1975) The chemist and the word: the didac- Harrassowitz Verlag, pp 255–270 tic origins of chemistry. Johns Hopkins University Newman WR (1999) Alchemical symbolism and conceal- Press, Baltimore ment: the chemical house of Andreas Libavius. In: Hannaway O (1986) Laboratory design and the aim of Galison P, Thompson EA (eds) The architecture of science: Andreas Libavius versus Tycho Brahe. Isis science. MIT Press, Cambridge/London, pp 59–77 77:585–610 Newman WR (2006) Atoms and alchemy: chemistry and Hubicki W (2008/1970–1980) Libavius (or Libau), the experimental origins of the scientific revolution. Andreas. In: Gillispie CC, Holmes FL, Koertge University of Chicago Press, Chicago N (eds) Complete dictionary of scientific biography, Wels V (2019) Melanchthon’s logic and rhetoric and the vol 8. Scribner, Detroit, pp 309–312 methodology of chemical knowledge in Libavius’s Keller V (2010) Drebbel’s living instruments, Hartmann’s Alchymia. In: Omodeo PD, Wels V (eds) Natural microcosm, and Libavius’s thelesmos: Epistemic knowledge and Aristotelianism at early modern protes- machines before descartes. Hist Sci 48:39–74 tant universities. Harrassowitz Verlag, Wiesbaden, Moran BT (2007) Andreas Libavius and the transformation pp 11–28 of alchemy: separating chemical cultures with polemi- cal fire. Watson Publishing International, Sagamore Beach.
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