The Changes of Perspectives Concerning the Universe

2 Fundamental concepts that changed during the Renaissance

Geocentric Theory

The Earth was the center of the universe and all of the planets revovled around it

The universe was a dynamic, living, organic struture that was perfectly ordered.

Aristotle (c. 384-322 B.C.E)

Combined use of rational thought with observation to explain the srtucture of the universe

Universe was divided into 2 domains

Heavenly

Earthly Realms

Claudius Ptolemy (c. 100-170 C.E)

Writes "Almagest"

Ptolemaic planetary theory

Supported observation with a mathematical system

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543)

Writes "On the Revolution of Heavenly Spheres"

Heliocentric theory

The sun is the center of the universe with the planets revolving around it