Robert Hooke’s Experimental Philosophy

Robert Hooke’s Experimental Philosophy by Felicity Henderson delves into the life and work of Robert Hooke, England's first professional scientist and a groundbreaking figure in science communication. Hooke was unique among early scientists for leaving an intricate manual guiding others towards becoming 'experimental philosophers'.

This biography begins with Hooke's scientific method, following his journey through the bustling shops of instrument makers and craftsmen, into coffee-houses and bookshops, onto construction sites, and even into the king's audience chamber at Whitehall Palace. It leverages new evidence to illustrate how Hooke's interactions with workmen, philosophical colleagues, craftsmen, and London's elite profoundly influenced his scientific endeavours in unexpected, yet significant ways.

Hooke is portrayed as an advocate for the ordinary, possessing a remarkable ability to uncover potential for new knowledge in the most unassuming aspects of everyday life.