Kepler's Cosmological Synthesis : Astrology, Mechanism and the Soul

The cosmology of Johannes Kepler remains a mystery. On the one hand, Kepler's speculations on spiritual faculties are seen as the remnants of Renaissance philosophy. On the other, his comparison of the cosmos to a clock summons the mechanical metaphor that shaped modern science. This book explores the inseparable connections between Kepler's vitalistic views and his more enduring accomplishments in astronomy. The key argument is that Kepler's 'celestial biology' served as a bridge between his revolutionary astronomy and other 'less scientific' interests, particularly astrology. Kepler's Cosmological Synthesis sheds new light on one of the foundational figures of the Scientific Revolution. By uncovering a new form of coherence in Kepler's world picture, it traces the unlikely intersections of mechanism and vitalism that transformed the fabric of the heavens. Contents......Page 7 Acknowledgements......Page 9 List of Illustrations......Page 11 List of Abbreviations ......Page 13 Introduction ......Page 15 Chapter One Kepler’s Vitalistic View of the Heavens: Some Preliminary Remarks ......Page 25 Kepler’s Clockwork Metaphor......Page 26 Spiritual Agency in Kepler’s Astrology......Page 47 Threads of Continuity in Kepler’s Cosmology......Page 51 Chapter Two Kepler’s Early Career in Astrology, 1594–1599 ......Page 53 Not All Astrologers Created Equally: Kepler’s Perception of His Practice ......Page 57 Conserving the Kernel: Kepler’s Early Conception of the Astrological Aspects ......Page 63 From the Earth to Humanity: Further Effects of the Astrological Aspects ......Page 72 The Weight of Proof: Observational Evidence for the Astrological Aspects ......Page 77 Chapter Three The New Star of 1604 ......Page 83 The Multiple Purposes of On the New Star......Page 89 The Soul of the Earth: Instinctual Responses to the Astrological Aspects ......Page 99 Finding Middle Ground: The Soul of the Earth and the Surrounding Cosmos ......Page 105 Philosophical Marvel and Theological Miracle: The Many Meanings of the New Star ......Page 113 Chapter Four The Comets of 1607 and 1618 ......Page 119 The Role of Divine Providence in Kepler’s Cometary Theory......Page 123 Clarifying Curvature and the Rectilinear Course of Comets......Page 135 Celestial Sympathy and Earthly Knowledge of Comets......Page 141 Chapter Five Kepler’s Apology ......Page 149 Situating the Soul of the Earth: Elemental Instruments and their Animate Impetus ......Page 153 Configurations and Consonances: The Earthly Orchestra of the Astrological Aspects ......Page 172 Differences Over Divinity: Kepler’s Final Criticisms of Fludd......Page 177 Conclusion......Page 181 Bibliography ......Page 187 Index of Persons ......Page 197 Index of Places ......Page 199 Index of Subjects ......Page 200 Spanning The Course Of His Career, This Book Brings New Light To Kepler's Vitalistic Views And Their Central Place In His World Picture. It Challenges Our View Of Kepler As A Nascent Mechanical Philosopher Who Fell Back On An Older Form Of Physics. Kepler's Vitalistic View Of The Heavens -- Kepler's Early Career In Astrology, 1594-1599 -- The New Star Of 1604 -- The Comets Of 1607 And 1618 -- Kepler's Apology. By Patrick J. Boner. Based On The Author's Doctoral Dissertation, University Of Cambridge, 2007. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 173-182) And Indexes.