Nicolaus Copernicus

Nicolaus Copernicus (in Latin; Polish Miko?aj Kopernik, German Nikolaus Kopernikus); February 19, 1473 – May 24, 1543) was a Polish astronomer, mathematician and economist who developed the heliocentric (Sun-centered) theory of the solar system in a form detailed enough to make it scientifically useful. His main occupations and services rendered were in Royal Prussia as church canon, governor and administrator, jurist, astrologer and as a doctor. Astronomy was actually a byproduct, a hobby of his. His theory about the Sun as the center of the Universe, opposed to the traditional geocentric theory (that placed Earth at the center), is considered one of the most important discoveries ever, and is the fundamental starting point of modern astronomy and modern science itself (it inaugurated the scientific revolution). His theory affected many other aspects of human life as well, opening the door to young astronomers everywhere to challenge the dogmas and never take anything at face value.

Copernicus and Copernicanism

Copernicus' theories have an extraordinary relevance in the history of human knowledge. Many authors suggest that only Euclid's geometry, Darwin's Evolution, or Newton's physics could have a similar influence on human culture in general and on science in particular.

Related Topics:
Euclid - Geometry - Darwin - Evolution - Newton - Physics - Culture - Science

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Many meanings have been seen in his theory, quite apart from its scientific value. His work cut across science and religion, dogmatism and freedom of scientific investigation. His academic standing is often compared with Galileo Galilei.

Related Topics:
Religion - Dogmatism - Galileo Galilei

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When his work was published, it contradicted then accepted religious dogma: the suggestion being that there is no need for an entity (God) that from outside could give a soul, a power and a life to the World and to Human beings when science can explain everything attributed to Him.

Related Topics:
God - Soul

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However, Copernicanism also opened a way to immanence, the view that the divine force, or the divine being, pervades through all things that exist, which has been developed further in modern philosophy. Immanentism also leads into subjectivism: the theory that perception creates reality, and that there is no underlying, true, reality that exists independent of perception. Accordingly some find that Copernicanism demolished the foundations of mediaeval science and metaphysics.

Related Topics:
Immanence - Subjectivism - Metaphysics

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One of the consequences of Copernicanism is that scientific laws must not necessarily coincide with appearance. This contrasts with Aristotle's system, which placed much more value on knowledge gained from the senses.

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Copernicus' innovation was a scientific revolution. Some say "the" revolution http://www.anselm.edu/homepage/dbanach/timel.htm. Immanuel Kant, for instance, caught the symbolic character of Copernicus' revolution (of which he put in evidence the transcendental rationalism) postulating that human rationality was the real legislator of observed phenomena. More recent philosophers also have found Copernicanism to remain valid and retain valuable philosophical meaning.

Related Topics:
Immanuel Kant - Rationalism

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