Born in 1529, just southwest of France, Juan Huarte de San Juan may be one of the most proclaimed neurophysiologist and doctor of science of the Spanish Renaissance. Throughout his years of studying medicine and physiology, Juan Huarte made major contributions to the development of the human mind in ways that inspired many doctors and philosophers of today. One of his major contributions was a scholarly book of science and the brain, Examen de Ingenios para las ciencias, published in 1575, contributed much of what we know today about the human brain (Muller).
His book had been translated into many languages over the years and studied by many historians, doctors, philosophers, and even inspired Miguel de Cervantes who wrote Don Quijote. Huarte wanted to restore the myth that ancient medicine is undoubtedly true by approaching it scientifically. The myth of ancient medicine was that medieval doctors believed they could diagnose and treat diseases based on four bodily fluids known as humors. Therefore he introduced a theory of “humours” (Muller). His approach was highly regarded as one of being intellectual and focused on the natural biological human. In dealing with these bodily humors, Huarte also made certain assertions that focused on his approach. The first assertion he made was that man had only one talent. This talent was a certain aspect of the human body that a person possesed in order to become successful. That talent in which man had was only to be used in his own profession and if man lacked this talent, man would not be successful in his profession. Finally, he stated that this talent would define who a man was what he did.
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2/2/07
Juan Huarte de San Juan
Born in 1529, just southwest of France, Juan Huarte de San Juan may be one of the most proclaimed neurophysiologist and doctor of science of the Spanish Renaissance. Throughout his years of studying medicine and physiology, Juan Huarte made major contributions to the development of the human mind in ways that inspired many doctors and philosophers of today. One of his major contributions was a scholarly book of science and the brain, Examen de Ingenios para las ciencias, published in 1575, contributed much of what we know today about the human brain (Muller).
His book had been translated into many languages over the years and studied by many historians, doctors, philosophers, and even inspired Miguel de Cervantes who wrote Don Quijote. Huarte wanted to restore the myth that ancient medicine is undoubtedly true by approaching it scientifically. The myth of ancient medicine was that medieval doctors believed they could diagnose and treat diseases based on four bodily fluids known as humors. Therefore he introduced a theory of “humours” (Muller). His approach was highly regarded as one of being intellectual and focused on the natural biological human. In dealing with these bodily humors, Huarte also made certain assertions that focused on his approach. The first assertion he made was that man had only one talent. This talent was a certain aspect of the human body that a person possesed in order to become successful. That talent in which man had was only to be used in his own profession and if man lacked this talent, man would not be successful in his profession. Finally, he stated that this talent would define who a man was what he did.
Citations and Works Cited
1. Araguz-A., Martin. "The examination of men's wits by Juan Huarte
de San Juan, and the dawn of the neurobiology of intelligence
in the Spanish renaissance." June 2004. February 2,2007 <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15229833&itool=iconfft&query_hl=12&itool=pubmed_docsum>.
2. Muller, C.. "[Melancholia and reflection on the genius of Huarte
de San Juan. Temperament and powers of the soul in
Galenism of the Spanish Renaissance]." (2002) February 2, 2007
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=12587403>.