CONTENTS 



Preface v 



Introduction . . . ' . . . . . . xi 



CHAPTER I 



The downfall of the Roman Empire in the West and the ex- 

 tinction of learning, to the re-opening of the Schools of CHAR- 

 LEMAGNE The Arabian and the Jewish Philosophy . . 1 



CHAPTER II 



The Birth of the Scholastic Philosophy to the Death of ROGER 

 BACON 23 



CHAPTER III 



The belief in Astrology and 'Alchemy Their indirect benefit to 

 mankind The Belief in Witchcraft 37 



CHAPTER IV 



The publication of the true Planetary System by COPERNICUS 

 It escapes for fifty years the notice of the Church . . .46 



v/ 3 



CHAPTER V 



IORDANO BRUNO advocates the Copernican Astronomy and the 

 Plurality of Worlds Arrested by the Holy Inquisition Im- 

 prisoned for seven years ; then burned alive His Views and 

 Doctrines . . . . .' 51 



CHAPTER VI 



Extension of the study of Philosophy among the Laity Life and 

 writings of DESCARTES Opposition to the Aristotelian dog- 

 mas and to all authority that could control thought and learn- 



ing 



62 



(vii) 



