Mans Place in the Universe This presentation is

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Man’s Place in the Universe This presentation is based on ideas developed by Arthur

Man’s Place in the Universe This presentation is based on ideas developed by Arthur O. Lovejoy in his The Great Chain of Being and by Erich Auerbach in his Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature Errors are my own.

I. The Two Primary Roots of Western Culture: The Jews and the Greeks

I. The Two Primary Roots of Western Culture: The Jews and the Greeks

The Jews Monotheism Ø Focus on the spiritual Ø An eclipse of the sun

The Jews Monotheism Ø Focus on the spiritual Ø An eclipse of the sun Ø

The Greeks Polytheism Ø Focus on the material (geometry) Ø An eclipse of the

The Greeks Polytheism Ø Focus on the material (geometry) Ø An eclipse of the sun Ø

The Greek Universe

The Greek Universe

Aristotle (384 -322 B. C)

Aristotle (384 -322 B. C)

II. Christianity Christ is born; Christ dies. Ø “Go and convert all nations. ”

II. Christianity Christ is born; Christ dies. Ø “Go and convert all nations. ” Ø

The Conversion of Rome

The Conversion of Rome

Christianity’s Adoption of the Ptolemaic Universe Complex story Ø I like to imagine. Ø

Christianity’s Adoption of the Ptolemaic Universe Complex story Ø I like to imagine. Ø But it did happen – the Ptolemaic universe became a primary philosophical and theological base of Christian belief. Ø

III. Results of Adoption: Ø The Great Chain of Being Ø God Ø Angels

III. Results of Adoption: Ø The Great Chain of Being Ø God Ø Angels Ø Man Ø Animals Ø Rocks Ø “A place for everything, and everything in its place”

“A place for everything, and everything in its place” Astronomy Ø Biology Ø Metals

“A place for everything, and everything in its place” Astronomy Ø Biology Ø Metals Ø Music Ø Astrology Ø

Kings, Popes, and Common Folks Ø This is Shakespeare’s universe.

Kings, Popes, and Common Folks Ø This is Shakespeare’s universe.

IV. The Beginning of the End of the Ptolemaic Universe Astronomical observations Ø Lenses

IV. The Beginning of the End of the Ptolemaic Universe Astronomical observations Ø Lenses (glasses) developed in the 13 th century Ø Trepidations of the Spheres Ø

Nicolas Copernicus Ø On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Orbits (1543) Ø Died unknown

Nicolas Copernicus Ø On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Orbits (1543) Ø Died unknown The sun is the center of the solar system.

Martin Luther Ø In 1517 he posted 95 Theses on the door of the

Martin Luther Ø In 1517 he posted 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenburg Cathedral Ø The beginning of the Protestant Reformation

Galileo Galilei 1564 -1642 Ø 1609 – his telescope Ø Confirms Copernican view of

Galileo Galilei 1564 -1642 Ø 1609 – his telescope Ø Confirms Copernican view of the universe Ø Loud-mouthed Italian Ø Excommunicated Ø

Efforts to Save the Ptolemaic System Epicycles and Eccentrics

Efforts to Save the Ptolemaic System Epicycles and Eccentrics

Persistence of the System Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 -1750) Ø The Well-Tempered Clavier (c.

Persistence of the System Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 -1750) Ø The Well-Tempered Clavier (c. 1717) Ø “Diabolus in Musica” Ø

V. Results of the Breakup Man is no longer at the physical center of

V. Results of the Breakup Man is no longer at the physical center of God’s universe. (He’s on the third rock from the sun. ) Ø Western Christianity has broken into denominations. Ø Man’s sense of identity is now an open question. Ø Absolute truth is called into question. Ø Catholic Church has moved back toward its Jewish root. It no longer takes absolute Ø