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of physics, which had been placed in that department by the
Constitu-tion of 1655, should be removed tberefrom, and placed in the Faculty
of Philosophy, and the chair occupied by a loyal Aristotelian.
The discussion was not so much concerning the principles of
Des-cartes’ philosophy as concerning the limitations to be imposed upon the
leaders of the dawning natural Sciences, who, basing themselves upon
experiments and the principles of Descartes were demonstrating the
laws of nature from its own phenomena, thus destroying the structure
of Aristotelian Scholasticism not only in the held of the natural
Sciences, but even in that of theology itself, thus endangering religion.
If Charles XI. thought to pour oil upon the troubled waters by
sending the accusations of the priests to the accused party, the
Univer-sity, the results were certainly discouraging. The Theological Faculty
was opposed by all the remaining Faculties. Rudbeck’s influence in the
Medical Faculty was strongly in support of Cartesianism, which had also
found a powerful supporter in the Faculty of Philosophy in the person
of Johannes Bilberg, Professor of Mathematics. The King had sent the
accusations to the University in January, 1687; all the Faculties had
replied by May. The King permitted the matter to rest for two years,
possibly to await the assembling of the next Diet, which met in 1689.
The whole question was then placed in the hands of a committee of
five statesmen, who, after hearing the evidence, recommended wliat was
in form a compromise, but in actuality a rejection of the accusations
against Cartesianism. On the 17th of April, 1689, the King rendered a
formal decision that the doctriues of the Christian faith might not
be subjected to philosophical criticism, but as for the rest
philosophy should be free in practice and discussion. The coutroversy at
Upsala continued for years after the decision, but the crisis had passed.
Bilberg was removed from the Faculty of Philosophy, and, that peace
might be restored, was appointed Professor of Theology! The
appoint-ment, however, failed to restore peace. Xot only was further fault found
with his philosophical position as set forth in two theological disputations,
but another Cartesian, Eric Castovius, was also subjected to severe
criticism on account of a disputation, which had been passed upon by
Bilberg. But the fundamental question of freedom of discussion and
teaching had been answered by the King’s decision h
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