This talk explores the concept of “focused interdisciplinarity” through the life and work of Nicolaus Steno (1638–1686), a seventeenth-century anatomist whose scientific and theological achievements exemplify the integration of diverse disciplines. Tracing Steno’s education in the liberal arts at the Copenhagen Cathedral School, I argue that his methods of integrating mathematics with anatomy and Earth history stemmed from his early humanist training. Unlike polymaths who pursued encyclopedic knowledge, Steno applied his broad intellectual foundation to specific research problems. His later religious conversion also reflects the methodological focus that characterized his scientific work. Therefore, this talk not only reevaluates Steno’s legacy but also highlights broader questions about interdisciplinarity, the intersections of knowledge, and the relevance of the liberal arts to early modern science.
11 September 2024, FCUL