The nature, reason and science of man: edition of Leonardo da Vinci\'s anatomy studies and notes for an interpretation of his science

Author(s)

Eduardo Henrique Peiruque Kickhofel

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH/SBD)
• Defense date: 2007-08-31

Examining board members

Pablo Ruben Mariconda; Leon Kossovitch; César Julio Lorenzano; Luiz Cesar Marques Filho; Mauricio de Carvalho Ramos

• Advisor: Pablo Ruben Mariconda

Abstract

This thesis presents an edition of Leonardo da Vincis anatomical studies, which is surrounded by comments whose aim is to interpret these studies with respect to an epistemological point of view. Departing from a broad view about the problem of knowledge, this thesis then presents this problem in the culture in which Leonardo was educated, with an analysis of the sources in which the relations between the arts and sciences are presented and explored. It is followed by an important selection his anatomical studies, in which it is discussed the development of Leonardos work as an anatomist during thirty years. This thesis then return to Leonardos culture in order to think his synthesis between art and science that surpassed the aims and ambitions of his contemporaries, but making him a strange in his own culture and at the same time questioning the cultural establishment of his time. In the end, this thesis comes back to the broad view on the problem of knowledge and associates it to the sui generis knowledge of Leonardo da Vinci. (AU)