This book offers a groundbreaking exploration of Galileo Galilei's engagement with the Almagest, Claudius Ptolemy's second-century scientific work on the motions of stars and planetary paths. Contrary to the belief that Galileo had little interest in Ptolemaic astronomy, the author investigates whether Ptolemy influenced Galileo's shift to Copernicanism, the theory that Earth and all other planets revolve around the Sun. This inquiry is pursued through a detailed examination of Galileo's early writings on motion, namely the so-called De motu antiquiora (c. 1589–1592). By contextualizing Galileo's initial reception of Ptolemy, the book reveals a fascinating historical backdrop, highlighting how the Almagest was intended to be read and studied in Galileo's milieu during the last decades of the sixteenth century. The author challenges the conventional 'Ptolemaic-Aristotelian' label by showing that early Galileo adhered to a Ptolemaic, yet non-Aristotelian, cosmology supported by an Archimedean-like rationale. Additionally, the book underscores the often-overlooked impact of Theon of Alexandria's commentary on the Almagest in the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century reception of Ptolemy, suggesting it as one of Galileo's potential sources. Offering valuable insights for historians of science and early modern astronomy, this book illuminates Galileo's intricate relationship with astronomical and philosophical ideas, emphasizing the need to re-examine his intellectual journey within a nuanced historical framework.
eBook - ePub
Galileo and the Almagest, c.1589–1592
How Ptolemaic Astronomy Influenced Galileo’s Early Writings on Motion
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
Galileo and the Almagest, c.1589–1592
How Ptolemaic Astronomy Influenced Galileo’s Early Writings on Motion
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Table of contents
- Cover
- Front Matter
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Why a Commentary?
- 3. Disentangling the Ptolemaic from the Aristotelian
- 4. Galileo as a Commentator on Almagest I.3
- 5. Concluding Remarks
- Back Matter
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Yes, you can access Galileo and the Almagest, c.1589–1592 by Ivan Malara in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in History & Ancient History. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.