Copernicus- Rebellion
In the late 1400's to the mid 1500's, people believed that the earth was the center of the universe. Ptolemy stated that the Earth was stationary and that the sun, moon, planets, and stars revolved around imaginary points, which in turn revolved around the Earth. Copernicus knew that nature acted in the simplest ways, so he questioned why the planets would move in such a ponderous scheme of circles (Bolton 5). Copernicus made long and careful observations of the stars and planets throughout most of his life and was convinced that the geocentric theory of the universe was incorrect (Siedel 26). Afraid to denounce his theory, Copernicus did not publish the book of his theories, Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres, until four weeks before his death on May 24, 1543 (Siedel 27). Copernicus was skeptical to the thinking during the time he was alive because Aristotle and Ptolemy's theories of the universe were based on religion and gods. As predictions made in agreement to their theories became more and more inaccurate, Copernicus searched for an explanation that was closer in agreement with his observations of the planets and stars. Copernicus rebelled against the powers that be by studying heavenly bodies in accordance to his own the
In 1543, European thought was dominated by the theories of Aristotle, who centuries before had divided the world into two separate entities: one changeable and corruptible, inhabited by man, and the other indestructible and inhabited by gods. The geocentric theory of the universe was also such a cornerstone of the medieval Christian faith that to challenge it was the same as arguing with the scriptures (Siedel 26). Ptolemy's theory was so entwined with matters of the church and scriptures that it remained absolutely unquestioned for 1400 years. In Ptolemy's theory of the universe, the Earth was stationary in the center and all the planets, stars, the sun, and the moon, while not revolving directly around the Earth, revolved around imaginary points which in turn revolved around the Earth in a circular path known as the deferent circle. It was a complex system and few people understood it (Bolton 5). Nicolaus Copernicus studied the planets and stars almost his whole life and in an age when the Church enforced it's creed with iron rigidity, Copernicus dared not differ and record his convictions for a very long time. Copernicus's theory retained many features of the cosmology that it would soon replace. It still featured the facts about solid, pl
Some common words found in the essay are:
Heavenly Spheres, Middle Ages, Nicolaus Copernicus, Earth Copernicus, Aristotle Ptolemy's, Westman Copernican, Catholics Protestants, Mercury Venus, , siedel 27, planets stars, 27 copernicus, Revolutions Heavenly, heavenly spheres, theory universe, revolutions heavenly spheres, revolutions heavenly, siedel 27 copernicus, imaginary revolved earth, heavenly bodies, revolved imaginary, planets circle, revolved earth, geocentric theory universe, midst dwells sun,
Approximate Word count = 842
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
