Medieval Cosmology: Theories of Infinity, Place, Time, Void, and the Plurality of Worlds [Paperback]

Pierre Duhem (Author), Roger Ariew (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 1987 | ISBN-10: 0226169235 | ISBN-13: 978-0226169231

These selections from Le système du monde, the classic ten-volume history of the physical sciences written by the great French physicist Pierre Duhem (1861-1916), focus on cosmology, Duhem's greatest interest. By reconsidering the work of such Arab and Christian scholars as Averroes, Avicenna, Gregory of Rimini, Albert of Saxony, Nicole Oresme, Duns Scotus, and William of Occam, Duhem demonstrated the sophistication of medieval science and cosmology.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roger Ariew is associate professor of philosophy and humanities at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 601 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (August 15, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226169235
• ISBN-13: 978-0226169231
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #322,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on medieval cosmology that is available., February 10, 2000

By 

Craig G Cram - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medieval Cosmology: Theories of Infinity, Place, Time, Void, and the Plurality of Worlds (Paperback)

Duhem does us a major favour by compiling a mamouth amount of original texts that would otherwise by lost and fragmented in the vaults and basements of many very old universities. The traditional problem with medieval philsophy is actually finding the philosophy itself! Duhem's breathtaking reasearch and presentation of these rare texts makes this book an instant classic. But `Medieval Cosmology' is much more than a compilation of texts; Duhem's clear and concise summaries and transitions of very intricate and detailed analyses of `Place, Time and Void' makes this book not only accessible but a pure joy of scholarship and thought.

2 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Comment on Other Reviews, April 4, 2009

By 

Avocat Vocce (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medieval Cosmology: Theories of Infinity, Place, Time, Void, and the Plurality of Worlds (Paperback)

I'm sorry, Mr. Hobson. Did you read the title of this book before you bought it. That might have saved you the trouble.

0 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Be prepared to read..., December 20, 2008

By 

A. W. Hobson (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Medieval Cosmology: Theories of Infinity, Place, Time, Void, and the Plurality of Worlds (Paperback)

If you are interested in Theories that go on and on, this is the book for you. I was expecting more meat about the participants rather than what they were working on verbally, because it is all about verbiage. It is interesting to note how much thought went into written science in these times, but reading it was like watching paint dry... Very large volume and I would imagine, when Hubble recommended it in his book, it was to trick Grad students into buying and trying to read it.