Discord in Kepler's World Harmony

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Mullins, David

Keywords

Kepler, Astronomy, Harmony

Area of Concentration

General Studies

Abstract

The work of Johannes Kepler is an important link between the mindset of the ancient Greek astronomers and modem science. Kepler's theory of cosmology is a synthesis of astronomy, harmony, geometry, religion, ancient Greek metaphysics, and the roots of modem physics. Although Kepler is now widely known as the founder of modem astronomy, his planet laws can be seen as the accidental fruits grown from his determination to prove a faulty theory. He was in many ways ahead of his time, but where scientific inquiry gave no immediate answers, Kepler reverted to the comfortable concepts of metaphysics laid down by Plato, Aristotle, and Pythagoras. He was among the first to recognize the importance of the scientific method, but his downfall was in his insistence to prove a faulty, a priori theory based on Greek metaphysics. A close examination of Kepler's work reveals both the roots of modem science and the residue of Greek natural philosophy.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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