Greel medicine, natural sciences and philosophy in the ancient world: the epistemological foundation of medicine between the Hellenistic age and Galen

Within the broader project “Ancient Science Ancient Philosophy: the philosophical foundations of science in Antiquity”, the position is dedicated to research on the scientific status of medicine from the Hellenistic period to Galen and the beginnings of Christianity. The research will focus on the gradual development of epistemological awareness after the Hippocratic beginnings. This will be pursued through close analysis of the most significant surviving texts, including their selection, translation and commentary, and, where no reliable modern edition is available, examination of the manuscript and/or indirect tradition. A further area of interest will be how philosophical debate contributed to the advancement or decline of this process. Particular attention will be given to Hellenistic and post-Hellenistic physicians, and to whether they pursued an anti-Aristotelian project to separate the principles of medical science from those of natural philosophy.