Article ID: CBB467087894

Scientific Methodology in Medieval Astronomy and Cosmology: The Case of Levi ben Gerson (1288–1344) (2020)

unapi

We distinguish between method and methodology and propose to illustrate the claim that methodology is essential to the acquisition of scientific knowledge in all periods. The case in point is Levi ben Gerson (d. 1344) and his creative response to the methodologies in astronomy and cosmology implicit in the works of Ptolemy (second century). We begin by outlining Ptolemy's methodological framework in astronomy, in which one key point is his dependence on his own observations in the first instance, and then on those of others that are consistent with them. In cosmology Ptolemy sought to make his geometric models physical and to account for the transmission of motions to the planets. We then closely examine Levi's ingenious adaptation of Ptolemy's methodologies, which included new planetary models, new cosmological principles, as well as dependence on his own observations for determining planetary parameters, and descriptions of new observational instruments. Levi insisted that the planetary models had to account for observations of both positional data and physical characteristics, in contrast to the theories of his predecessors. We conclude with an analysis of Levi's methodology, emphasizing what made his practice so innovative. Methodology was (and is) the engine of scientific change.

...More
Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB467087894/

Similar Citations

Article Mancha, J. L.; (2012)
The Theory of Access and Recess in Levi ben Gerson's Astronomy, and Its Sources (/isis/citation/CBB001231657/)

Article Goldstein, Bernard R.; (2012)
Levi ben Gerson on the Principles of Cosmology (/isis/citation/CBB001231656/)

Book Henry Zepeda; (2018)
The First Latin Treatise on Ptolemy's Astronomy: The "Almagesti Minor" (c. 1200) (/isis/citation/CBB830237991/)

Thesis Anderson, Benjamin W.; (2012)
World Image after World Empire: The Ptolemaic Cosmos in the Early Middle Ages, ca. 700--900 (/isis/citation/CBB001567378/)

Article C. Philipp E. Nothaft; (2017)
Criticism of Trepidation Models and Advocacy of Uniform Precession in Medieval Latin Astronomy (/isis/citation/CBB861654414/)

Article Sidoli, Nathan; Berggren, J. L.; (2007)
The Arabic Version of Ptolemy's Planisphere or Flattening the Surface of the Sphere: Text, Translation, Commentary (/isis/citation/CBB000773658/)

Article Boudet, Jean-Patrice; (2013)
Ptolémée dans l'Occident médiéval: roi, savant et philosophe (/isis/citation/CBB001420832/)

Book Damien Janos; (2012)
Method, Structure, and Development in al-Fārābī’s Cosmology (/isis/citation/CBB028508118/)

Article Mancha, José Luis; Freudenthal, Gad; (2005)
Levi ben Gershom's Criticism of Ptolemy's Astronomy (/isis/citation/CBB000651196/)

Article Feldman, Seymour; (2012)
On Plural Universes: A Debate in Medieval Jewish Philosophy and the Duhem-Pines Thesis (/isis/citation/CBB001211060/)

Book Such, Jan; (2004)
Multiformity of Science (/isis/citation/CBB000470006/)

Chapter Mancha, José Luis; (2011)
Demonstrative Astronomy: Notes on Levi ben Geršom's Answer to Guide II.24 (/isis/citation/CBB001260518/)

Article Nugayev, Rinat M.; (2013)
The Ptolemy-Copernicus Transition: Intertheoretic Context (/isis/citation/CBB001320811/)

Article Glasner, Ruth; (2003)
Gersonides Unusual Position on “Position” (/isis/citation/CBB000470458/)

Authors & Contributors
Mancha, José Luis
Freudenthal, Gad
Garshtein, Niran
Americo, Maria
Zepeda, Henry T.
Anderson, Benjamin W.
Concepts
Astronomy
Cosmology
Jewish civilization and culture
Arab/Islamic world, civilization and culture
Philosophy
Astrology
Time Periods
Medieval
12th century
Early modern
Renaissance
Ancient
13th century
Places
Byzantium
Europe
Rome (Italy)
Israel
Holy Roman Empire
Comments

Be the first to comment!

{{ comment.created_by.username }} on {{ comment.created_on | date:'medium' }}

Log in or register to comment