Natural Philosophy Epitomised: Books 8-11 of Gregor Reisch's Philosophical pearl (1503)

Gregor Reisch's The Philosophic pearl (Margarita Philosophica), first published in 1503, was the first extensive printed text discussing the disciplines taught at university to achieve widespread dissemination. It is presented as a dialogue between master and pupil, covering the seven liberal arts, natural philosophy and moral philosophy, and with illustrations throughout. It has received remarkably little attention in its own right as a work of education which helped shape the world view of sixteenth-century educated men. Its author was a Carthusian monk. Offered here is a translation, with annotation and an extensive introduction, of the four books on natural philosophy, the predecessor of modern science. Natural philosophy for Reisch was a discipline which was as concerned with God and the Bible as it was with Nature and Aristotle.