Heard it through the grapevine: Unfurling plant life via history
Plants, often viewed as passive and inert, have a rich history of being analysed. Their behaviour has intrigued scientists and philosophers for centuries. The 16th and 17th centuries were particularly transformative, as experts witnessed a significant shift in the understanding of plant life. During this period, plants were no longer seen merely as static entities but were recognised for their complex behaviours and vital roles in nature. This shift in perspective laid the foundation for modern botanical science and environmental philosophy.
Insight into historical plant studies
Undertaken with the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the VegSciLif project delved into the interpretations of plant behaviour and life from the late Renaissance to the seventeenth century. It concentrated on plant studies from Andrea Cesalpino, who pioneered plant philosophy, to Marcello Malpighi and Nehemiah Grew, who advanced the anatomical study of plants. The aim was to explore how perceptions of plant life evolved during this transformative period. “The core goal has been to discuss the changes and transformation in the interpretations of what a plant actually is, how it lives and behaves, and how it constructs the environment,” explains MSCA research fellow Fabrizio Baldassarri. One of the significant findings of the VegSciLif project was the revelation that a few early modern scholars attributed intelligence, cognition, emotions, and even a form of language to plants. Andrea Cesalpino was pivotal in framing a philosophical understanding of plants that grounded plant classification. He proposed that the vegetative soul – responsible for the basic life functions of nutrition, growth and reproduction – was central to understanding plant life and variations, what today one would call biodiversity. Francis Glisson also suggested that sensation and cognition were not exclusive to animals but were inherent in all living entities, including plants. Other pre-modern scholars including Cyrano de Bergerac, in his science-fiction narratives, depicted plants as having similar faculties to humans and animals, and emphasised the interconnectedness of all living beings. Observations of the structure and function of plants in those early days were made in analogy with animal anatomy. Microscopy-based studies helped understand the comparison/likeness between animals and plants especially during embryonic development.
Implications for contemporary botanical studies
The VegSciLif project established crucial connections between historical and contemporary botanical investigations. By examining the life of plants through the eyes of seventeenth-century scientists and philosophers, the project demonstrated how historical studies continue to shape modern science. The findings suggest that plants, viewed as superior forms of life, have significantly contributed to the development of new scientific paradigms. Moreover, VegSciLif findings underscore the importance of studying the interactions between plants and their environments. Early modern scholars recognised the role of plants in constructing nature and society – a concept that resonates within contemporary environmental studies. To discuss the historical and contemporary significance of plant studies, the project organised the conference ‘Plants & Philosophy: From Ancient Wisdom to Today’s Science’ held in Venice. This event brought together historians, scientists, and environmental scholars, and highlighted the influence of early modern botanical investigations on contemporary understanding of plant behaviour and ecology. Overall, the VegSciLif project has significantly advanced our understanding of the historical evolution of plant studies, bridging the gap between past and modern perspectives. Importantly, it has provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex and dynamic nature of plant life.
Keywords
VegSciLif, plants, philosophy, cognition, historical studies, anatomy