ENLIGHTENMENT SCIENTISTS AS APOLOGISTS OF CHRISTIANITY: ALBRECHT VON HALLER AND LEONHARD EULER

Abstract

Although during the 16th and 17th centuries there were major conflicts between science and religion, during the Enlightenment both seemed to reconcile. Proof of this is the rise of physical theology and the existence of apologetic writings composed by some of the most notable scientists of the time, like Haller and Euler, who strive to refute the materialistic extrapolations of science made by certain philosophers, and bring arguments that are not lacking in sharpness and historical value.