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3 years ago in History , Intellectual History By Sabrina Sheikh
Can anyone recommend sources on the eighteenth-century physiological theory known as “Animal Economy”?
I've hit a bottleneck in my dissertation on Enlightenment vitalism. The term "Animal Economy" appears everywhere from medical texts to philosophical tracts, but I need a solid entry point into the core literature to understand its parameters and major debates.
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By Aarushi Duneja Answered 2 years ago
For a strong foundation, I would recommend starting with two secondary works: Tobias Cheung's anthology "The Animal Economy: Obsolete Research Field or Historical Platform?" provides an excellent thematic overview. Then, consult François Duchesneau's *"The Physiology of the Understanding: The 'Animal Economy' in 18th-Century French Thought"* for deep philosophical context. For primary sources, Albrecht von Haller's "Elementa Physiologiae" and the writings of Georg Ernst Stahl are essential. Begin with Cheung to map the field before diving into the often dense primary material, which requires period-specific linguistic patience.
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