Compelling Doubts in the Padua of Gian Vincenzo Pinelli: Note-Taking, Medical Training, and Maize Biscuits

Doubt constitutes the most compelling part of learning, and the writings of many Renaissance students were organized according to doubts rather than notions. The study of a number of unpublished manuscripts by Giovan Vincenzo Pinelli makes it possible to highlight how common this practice was within the Paduan student body, animated in the second half of the 16th century by young minds from all over Europe. These young scholars found themselves grappling at the same time with different perplexities, and this chapter will analyze many doubts and three described by Pinelli in great detail, which aroused heated debates inside and outside the University. Was it appropriate to dictate lectures to students or was it preferable to leave them free to take notes? Was theory sufficient to become good doctors, or did one need practical knowledge? Finally, could making corn biscuits compromise the hold of the state? All these questions were answered for the benefit of past and present doubters.