Copernicus: Platonist Astronomer-Philosopher: Cosmic Order, the Movement of the Earth, and the Scientific Revolution

by Matjaz Vesel

Overview

In 1543, Copernicus publicly defended geokinetic and heliocentric universe. This book examines why and how he became a Copernican and what his affirmation of heliocentrism means in the context of the Scientific Revolution. Close reading of Copernicus’ texts and examination of his sociocultural context reveals his commitment to the Platonist program of True Astronomy, which is to discover the well-proportioned, harmonious universe, hidden beyond visible appearances, but accessible through mathematical reasoning. The principal goal of the work is to show that the hypothesis of Copernicus’ Platonism brings unity and internal coherence to his project and provides historical background of his contributions to the Scientific Revolution.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783631642429
Publisher:	Peter Lang GmbH, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften
Publication date:	04/29/2014
Pages:	451
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x 0.05(d)

About the Author

Matjaž Vesel, PhD in Philosophy from the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), is a Research Adviser at the Institute of Philosophy, SRC SASA, Ljubljana. He has published monographs on Nicholas of Cusa, Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei, and numerous articles on medieval and early modern science and philosophy.

Table of Contents

Contents: Nicolaus Copernicus – Platonism – Platonist Astronomer-Philosopher – Cosmic order – The motion of the earth – The Scientific Revolution.

Preface

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