Benjamin I. Goldberg, Ph.D.

Intellectual Historian and Philosopher of Science, University of South Florida

Howdy! I'm Benny

Benjamin Goldberg profile picture

I am currently a Professor of Instruction in Humanities and Cultural Studies at USF. My expertise and interests are in intellectual history and science studies broadly understood; more particularly, I work on topics at the intersection of philosophy, medicine, and science, from roughly 1600–1800. I am also interested in history and philosophy of science more generally, especially feminist philosophy of science, and the history of philosophy of science (HOPOS).

My current work focuses on the history of recipes and pharmacy, as well as the role of teleology in William Harvey's philosophical anatomy (see the Research section for more info).

Featured Book

The Medical World of Margaret Cavendish book cover

The Medical World of Margaret Cavendish: A Critical Edition of Pw V90

Co-authored with Dr. Justin Begley, this book offers the first critical edition of Cavendish's previously unpublished medical manuscript, Pw V90. It provides unique insight into seventeenth-century intellectual history, medical practice, and the contributions of women to early modern science.

Read/Purchase on Springer

Employment

2025 – Current: Professor of Instruction, Department of Humanities and Cultural Studies, University of South Florida

2018 – 2025: Associate Professor of Instruction, Department of Humanities and Cultural Studies, University of South Florida

2013 – 2018: Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Humanities and Cultural Studies, University of South Florida

2012 – 2013: Lecturer, Department of Philosophy and Humanities, East Tennessee State University

Education

University of Pittsburgh

  • Ph.D., History and Philosophy of Science (2012): Dissertation: "William Harvey, Soul Searcher: Teleology and Philosophical Anatomy"
  • M.A., Philosophy (2011)
  • M.A., History and Philosophy of Science (2007)

Carleton College

  • B.A., Philosophy, Magna Cum Laude (2004)

Honors and Awards

Research Experience

Archival Experience

I have done original archival research at the British Library, the Royal College of Physicians in London, the Folger Shakespeare Library, Nottingham University, Sofia University, and the Philadelphia College of Physicians. I am well versed in the methods of handling, reading, and locating of manuscripts, medical instruments, letters, and other sorts of archival materials, including extensive experience in paleography.

Languages and Technical Skills

Bulgarian, English, French (reading), Ancient Greek (novice), Italian (novice), Latin (reading), Spanish, HTML, LaTeX.

Service and Administration

Administrative Experience

Program Assistant, Center for Philosophy of Science, University of Pittsburgh (Sept 2010 – Aug 2011): Responsible for a variety of projects related to the mission of the Center, including maintaining the database, computer and technical support for the Visiting Fellows, and planning and support for local, national, and international conferences.

Professional Service Highlights

  • Board member for the Center for Study of Medicine and the Body in the Renaissance (CSMBR)
  • Co-Organizer of a Renaissance Society of America Conference session (March 2018) on “Margaret Cavendish and Medicine”.
  • Organizer of History of Science (San Diego, 2012) symposium: “The Ends of the World as We Know It? Ancient and Early Modern Uses of Teleology”.
  • Referee for *Isis*, *HOPOS*, *Perspectives on Science*, *Philosophy of Science*.

Inspiration

"Cor animalium, fundamentum est vitae, princeps omnium, Microcosmi Sol, a quo omnis vegetatio dependet, vigor omnis & robur emenat. Rex pariter regnorum suorum fundamentum, & Mirocosmi sui Sol, Republicae Cor est, a quo omnis emenat potestas, omnis gratia provenit."

The heart of animals is the foundation of life, the ruler of all, the sun of the microcosm, on which all growth depends and from which every vigor and strength issues. Likewise, the king is the foundation of his realms and the sun of his own microcosm; he is the heart of the commonwealth, from which all power issues and every favor proceeds.

— William Harvey (1628, Dedication to Charles), [My translation]
Illustration of William Harvey's arm experiment on circulation
Please don't try this at home!