The Ptolemaic-Aristotelian View of the Universe, Leonhard Euler, and The Enlightenment

"What was the Ptolemaic-Aristotelian view of the universe, and how did Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton undermine it and institute an alternative?"




The Ptolemaic-Aristotelian view of the universe was that of a geocentric model. The Earth as the center of the universe. Orbits as circles and perfectly rounded planets, as well as stars, were also included in this peculiar idea. This, of course, was not an accurate viewpoint so it was eventually challenged, as so many theories are at one point in time or another.

Some that challenged this way of thinking were the great minds of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton.

Copernicus argued that the sun was the center of the universe. Therefore we see a heliocentric model. He likewise perceived that the Earth rotates on its axis. Common knowledge today, but revolutionary in his time.

Kepler undermined the idea of a Ptolemaic-Aristotelian view by proposing the theory of elliptical orbits instead of the standard idea that the orbits went around in circles. Again, this was revolutionary.

Galileo likewise contributed to this revolutionary process through his observation of moons orbiting Jupiter. This was proof that not everything revolved around the Earth as was previously thought.

I will lastly mention the monumental discoveries of Newton. Newton's ideas of gravity were extraordinary! Newton believed that gravity was the force that kept things moving and kept the air from escaping. He also predicted a transit of Venus. He was, in fact, the first astronomer to successfully do this.

The ideas throughout the centuries have been vast, but far fewer have been true. Copernicus and the others mentioned today knew that they must prove and disprove the world's theories. How few have realized this? There is little to be said for ignorance, but in knowledge there is power.



"Explain the significance of the person you read about for Lesson 48 in 100 words."


In lesson 48 I read about a mathematician/physicist, Leonhard Euler. Euler was known for his discoveries in many areas of study such as fluid dynamics, graph theory, music theory, mathematical function, etc. All of these areas are influential and greatly important, but I took a particular interest in his idea of mathematical function. The idea of numbers and mathematical problems as real life things was greatly fascinating to me.

Leonhard Euler was a mathematician/physicist. He was born in 1707, and he died in 1783. His historical significance was that of stamping a perfectly mathematical footprint on the field of science.



"Describe the main ideas we associate with the Enlightenment."



When you hear the word enlightenment, what is it that you think of? Maybe you think of people coming to great conclusions, philosophical thought, and reason. The idea of reason is one of the key characteristics that is often associated with the Enlightenment. Unfortunately, though, it was, at times, disregarded. For example, during this time people tended to be skeptical of using reason to come to theological points. Then again, they were skeptical of most anything during the course of the Enlightenment.

They weren't particularly fond of accepting age-old inherited ideas either. People of this time had the thought that they should rather look to science for their founding principles of most anything. The people of the Enlightenment did have an agreement for the most part with the idea of religious toleration, though. Yet, they tended to favor the stripping of "ritual" practices from religion.

These ideas laid the foundation of the Enlightenment. And in the Enlightenment, learners of history have found even more to diligently study. I hope that you have enjoyed this personal study of this age. Thanks for reading!