Copernicus : Platonist astronomer-philosopher : cosmic order, the movement of the Earth, and the scientific revolution

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. Cover 1 Acknowledgements 7 A Note on Primary Texts and Translations 7 List of figures 9 Table of contents 11 INTRODUCTION 13 PART ONE THE MOTION OF THE EARTH: A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS OF ASTRONOMY 33 CHAPTER ONE Uniform Circular Motion of Celestial Bodies 39 CHAPTER TWO Celestial Spheres and the Problem of the Equant 53 CHAPTER THREE A Stationary earth and the Forma Mundi Problem 69 CHAPTER FOUR The Consensus of Many Centuries: The Motion of the earth is Inconceivable 79 CHAPTER FIVE The Politics of Science: The Dedication to the Pope 97 PART TWO ARGUMENTATION IN FAVOR OF THE EARTH’S MOTION 115 CHAPTER SIX The earth is a Terraquea Sphaera 121 CHAPTER SEVEN The Postulate of Uniform Circular Motion of Celestial Spheres and Celestial Phenomena 129 CHAPTER EIGHT The First Motion of the earth and the “Optical Argument” 141 CHAPTER NINE The Dialectics and Physics of the Earth’s First Motion 157 1. Copernicus, Ptolemy and the centrifugal force argument 160 2. Copernicus, Ptolemy, and falling bodies (and clouds) 172 3. Copernicus’ positive arguments in favor of the earth’s rotation 191 CHAPTER TEN The Second Motion of the earth and its Position in the “World Machine” 209 PART THREE COPERNICUS IN CONTEXT 239 CHAPTER ELEVEN Astronomy before Copernicus 243 1. Three approaches to studying the heavens in the Middle Ages 245 2. The Vienna school of astronomy, renewal and criticism of Ptolemy’s Almagest and homocentric astronomy 254 CHAPTER TWELVE How did Copernicus become a Copernican? 269 1. A general outline of Copernicus’ education 277 2. Copernicus’ encounter with the problems of astronomy 295 3. Platonism as a common denominator 308 4. Copernicus’ Platonism, the problems of existing astronomy and his solutions 340 Chapter THIRTEEN The Platonist astronomer-philosopher and the Scientific Revolution 369 1. Copernicus in comparison with Averroists 370 2. Copernicus’ revolutionary reform of Ptolemaic astronomy 372 BIBLIOGRAPHY 395 I. Editions and translations of Nicholas Copernicus’ works 395 II. Other primary sources 396 III. Secondary sources 405 INDEX OF NAMES 435 INDEX OF PLACES 445 INDEX OF SUBJECTS 447 Machine Generated Contents Note: Pt. One The Motion Of The Earth: A Solution To The Problems Of Astronomy -- Ch. I Uniform Circular Motion Of Celestial Bodies -- Ch. Ii Celestial Spheres And The Problem Of The Equant -- Ch. Iii A Stationary Earth And The Forma Mundi Problem -- Ch. Iv The Consensus Of Many Centuries: The Motion Of The Earth Is Inconceivable -- Ch. V The Politics Of Science: The Dedication To The Pope -- Pt. Two Argumentation In Favor Of The Earth's Motion -- Ch. Vi The Earth Is A Terraquea Sphaera -- Ch. Vii The Postulate Of Uniform Circular Motion Of Celestial Spheres And Celestial Phenomena -- Ch. Viii The First Motion Of The Earth And The Optical Argument -- Ch. Ix The Dialectics And Physics Of The Earth's First Motion -- 1. Copernicus, Ptolemy And The Centrifugal Force Argument -- 2. Copernicus, Ptolemy And Falling Bodies (and Clouds) 3. Copernicus' Positive Arguments In Favor Of The Earth's Rotation -- Ch. X The Second Motion Of The Earth And Its Position In The World Machine -- Pt. Three Copernicus In Context -- Ch. Xi Astronomy Before Copernicus -- 1. Three Approaches To Studying The Heavens In The Middle Ages -- 2. Vienna School Of Astronomy, Renewal And Criticism Of Ptolemy's Almagest And Homocentric Astronomy -- Ch. Xii How Did Copernicus Become A Copernican? -- 1. A General Outline Of Copernicus' Education -- 2. Copernicus' Encounter With The Problems Of Astronomy -- 3. Platonism As A Common Denominator -- 4. Copernicus' Platonism, The Problems Of Existing Astronomy And His Solutions -- Ch. Xiii The Platonist Astronomer-philosopher And The Scientific Revolution -- 1. Copernicus In Comparison With Averroists -- 2. Copernicus' Revolutionary Reformation Of Ptolemaic Astronomy. Matjaž Vesel. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 393-431) And Indexes. The book examines why and how Copernicus became a Copernican and what his affirmation of heliocentrism and geokinetism means in the context of the Scientific Revolution. In examining his texts and sociocultural context the work analyses the appearance of a revolutionary figure of Copernicus as a Platonist astronomer-philosopher.