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Introduction: Jesuits and
the Sciences, 1540-1995
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A remarkable characteristic of the Society of Jesus during
the period of its first founding (1540-1773) was the involvement
of its members in the sciences. The reasons for this interest
in scientific study can be found in the nature and mission
of the order itself. Saint Ignatius Loyola considered the
acquisition of knowledge and the performance of mundane
labor as spiritually profitable tasks, and this fostered
in the Society an action-oriented, utilitarian mentality
sympathetic to scientific study. In addition, the role
of the Society as the "schoolmasters of Europe" meant
that the pedagogically (and scientifically) useful principles
of rationality, method and efficiency were highly valued.
The tight-knit organization of the Society created among
its members habits of cooperation and communication, essential
for the gathering and exchange of scientific information.
Finally, mission work in Asia and the Americas gave the
Jesuits opportunities and impetus to study and record the
phenomena of these new worlds.
Home Page || Introduction: Jesuits and the Sciences
1540-1619 || 1620-1659 || 1660-1719 || 1720-1773 || 1814-1900 || 1901-1995 ||
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