Borelli's De Mootu Animalium

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Correspondingly, during the Age of Enlightenment, discoveries and views about the world were only just beginning to take shape as thinkers of this time expanded on concepts of science with each other and individually with personal research. A defining piece that set his studies apart from others, Borelli’s ideas of physiology were “remembered mainly for his pioneering attempt to explain muscle function in terms of mathematical and physical principles” (Hurst & Fye 1996). Having grown up a scholar of mathematics it can only be presumed that Borelli’s work in anatomy would be influenced by his previous lessons. To briefly summarize the fundamental notions and distinguishable mannerism behind Borelli’s theories and opinions of the function of …show more content…

In On the Movement of Animals, Borelli introduced many new theories about biomechanics and physiology, dismissing old beliefs and bringing forth to the light his own discoveries about the matter at hand. “Borelli began this text by dismissing the Aristotelian notion that animal spirits flow to the nerve ends and cause the movement of body parts. Instead he proposed that the muscles constitute the machine, or the motor, of the body's movements” (O'Connor & Robertson).One of the key factor to the success of his book was Borelli’s extensive research into his studies of anatomy. “This classic book, the first thorough study of muscle physiology reveals Borelli’s extensive experience with dissection and vivisection and reflects his conviction that biological functions could be explained in terms of physical and mathematical principles” (Hurst & Fye 1996). Broken up into two volumes, the first volume of Borelli’s work consisted of 23 chapters that dissected and defended his argument about skeletal structure muscles and the forces generated by these muscles. Further indulging his proposal, the second volume discusses the “internal motions of animals and their immediate causes” …show more content…

A few students that took to his teachings were “the microscopist Marcello Malpighi and the physiologist Lorenzo Bellini” (Hurt & Fye 1996). Regarded for his advancements and discoveries in muscular structure, Borelli committed to his career as philosopher, indulging his time into studying the "why?" of his interests in physiology. By building upon the visions of his fellow philosophers and taking the time to expand his horizons and broaden his own thinking and concepts of the world, Borelli was able to craft a scientific study that still has relevancy in today's world. There are careers based around physiology where people today study the muscular and skeletal structures of humans and animals and schools offer classes such as human physics as well. As a result to his dedication, not only is Giovanni Alfonso Borelli is often referred to as the father of biomechanics, but also the “ one of the founders of an important intellectual movement known as iatromechanism, which framed physiologic events in terms of mathematical and physical principles” (Hurst & Fye 1996). Furthermore, in remembrance of Borelli and his great achievements, an award was named after him! “The highest honor bestowed by the American Society of Biomechanics is the Giovanni Borelli Award”

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