Spain and the Scientific Revolution: state of the art of a century-­old controversy

Abstract

The present paper is an essay on the history of Spanish science, more particularly about the studies conducted and the changes in the historiographical views that occurred in recent years. The aim is to remove a series of philosophical questions that historical studies have raised. The article formulates an interpretive scheme of the history of Spanish science built from empirical data as an alternative to the notions that prevailed until the present time (to wit, non-°©‐‑existence of Hispanic science, or its restriction to a small number of isolated minds). To accomplish the intended goal, a look back into the field of philosophy of science is necessary, and into the theory of science that makes it possible to overcome the older paradigm (science = theory), and makes way for new experimentalist, materialist or sociological views of science.