Galen on the Brain

ThisbookisastudyofthewaysinwhichGalensoughttoestablishthebrainastheregentpart(hegemonikon)ofthebody,utilizingarigorousanatomicalepistemologyandanoftensophisticated(butperforcelimited)setofphysiologicalarguments.Part1surveysthemedicalandphilosophicalpastinwhichthestudyofthebrainoccurred,andlooksatthematerialsandmethodswhichGalenemploystolegitimatehishegemonicargumentation.Part2examinesGalen'sanatomicalunderstandingofthebrain,especiallytheventricles.Part3offersacriticalevaluationofGalen'sphysiologyofthebrain.Thisisthefirstmonographtoofferadetailedaccountofthissubject,settingitwithintheculturalandintellectualcontextsofitsera,andshouldbeofinteresttothoseinclassics,medicalhistory,historyandphilosophyofscienceandthehistoryofideas.