The cosmology of Claudius Ptolemy
This dissertation explores the nature of the cosmos as understood by Ptolemy, and how this understanding was reflected in the methodological principles by which Ptolemy believed that the philosopher should properly study the cosmos. The main historiographical traditions in scholarship on Ptolemy, in particular the charges of fraudulence levelled against him and his place in the debate over instrumentalism and realism in Greek astronomy, are addressed with reference to the alleged discrepancies in Ptolemy's texts that have been cited as evidence in these debates. Ptolemy's methodology is examined to explore ways in which these so-called discrepancies might be resolved. Greatest attention is given to the Syntaxis and Harmonics, as treatises on those disciplines that Ptolemy himself identified as pre-eminent (astronomy and harmonics), while his other works are discussed as appropriate. Discrepancies of various kinds are discussed, including Ptolemy's silent acceptance of his lunar model's erroneous prediction of variations in the apparent diameter of the moon, his manipulation of data to obtain predetermined results, his sophisticated discussion of observational error contrasted with his use of extremely unreliable
Hart, G.
The cosmology of Claudius Ptolemy. This dissertation explores the nature of the cosmos as understood by Ptolemy, and how this understanding was reflected in the methodological principles by which Ptolemy believed that the philosopher should properly study the cosmos. The main historiographical traditions in scholarship on Ptolemy, in particular the charges of fraudulence levelled against him and his place in the debate over instrumentalism and realism in Greek astronomy, are addressed with reference to the alleged discrepancies in Ptolemy's texts that have been cited as evidence in these debates. Ptolemy's methodology is examined to explore ways in which these so-called discrepancies might be resolved. Greatest attention is given to the Syntaxis and Harmonics, as treatises on those disciplines that Ptolemy himself identified as pre-eminent (astronomy and harmonics), while his other works are discussed as appropriate. Discrepancies of various kinds are discussed, including Ptolemy's silent acceptance of his lunar model's erroneous prediction of variations in the apparent diameter of the moon, his manipulation of data to obtain predetermined results, his sophisticated discussion of observational error contrasted with his use of extremely unreliable
cosmology explore_nature cosmos understood reflect methodological principle believe philosopher properly study cosmos main historiographical_tradition scholarship particular charge level place debate realism greek astronomy address reference allege discrepancy text cite evidence debate examine explore_way so_called discrepancy might resolve attention_give treatises discipline identify pre_eminent astronomy work discussed appropriate various_kind discuss_include silent acceptance lunar model erroneous prediction variation apparent manipulation data_obtain sophisticated discussion observational error contrast use extremely unreliable