Bitter Honey - Recuperating the medical and scientific context of Bernard Mandeville (Paperback, New edition)

This is a bold, often provocative interpretation of a neglected classic on depression, originally written by the notorious Bernard Mandeville (1670-1733) for his patients. It makes the case that Mandeville's Treatise was a milestone of experimental literature that blended satire with science and used comedy for the relief of madness. The study recounts the culture of the Augustan virtuosi in fascinating detail: the atomic foundations of a forgotten neo-Epicurean theory for the human craving for luxury, Baconian 'initiative literature' (his ideal form of scientific literature), the danger of being driven mad by reading, the use of satire as a prophylactic against derangement and the importance of satire for science. It also proposes that Mandeville may possibly have been influenced by Gnostic and Manichaean thought. Readers who are familiar with The Fable of the Bees and Mandeville's reputation as a champion of the effects of egotism may be surprised by the account of Mandeville's bitter criticisms of the selfishness of his professional colleagues, a selfishness that left no public benefits to atone for private vice. As baroque as its subject, this is essential reading for anyone with an interest in Mandeville, early modern English literature or the culture of Enlightenment science and medicine.

General

Imprint:	Peter Lang AG, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften
Country of origin:	Switzerland
Release date:	February 2011
First published:	2011
Authors:	Phillip Hilton
Dimensions:	229 x 152 x 16mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	232
Edition:	New edition
ISBN-13:	978-3-03-430464-1
Categories:	Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political science & theory Books > Language & Literature > Literature: history & criticism > Literary studies > 16th to 18th centuries Books > Humanities > History > World history > 1500 to 1750 Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political ideologies > General Books > History > World history > 1500 to 1750
LSN:	3-03-430464-1
Barcode:	9783034304641

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