From the Closed World to the Infinite Universe (Summarized Edition): Enriched edition. Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo: The Scientific Revolution from Geocentric to Heliocentric CosmologyIn From the Closed World to the Infinite Universe, Alexander Koyré traces the decisive transformation of European thought from a finite, hierarchical, and qualitative cosmos to an infinite, homogeneous, and geometrically articulated universe. Through exacting readings of Copernicus, Bruno, Kepler, Galileo, Descartes, and Newton, he demonstrates that the Scientific Revolution was above all a metaphysical and mathematical reformation—the 'destruction of the cosmos' and the birth of abstract space. Koyré's style is lapidary, precise, and deeply intertextual; he moves between scholastic commentaries and early modern treatises to show how notions of infinity, uniformity, and law displaced Aristotelian physics. Trained as a philosopher and historian of science, Koyré brought phenomenological acuity to the textual archives of early modernity. A Russian-born scholar working chiefly in France and later lecturing widely abroad, he had already produced seminal studies on Galileo and Kepler. That prior work, and his sensitivity to metaphysical commitments, prepared this synthetic, programmatic book. This classic rewards readers in history and philosophy of science, intellectual history, and cosmology. It provides rigorous orientation for newcomers and a bracing thesis for specialists to contest or extend. Read it to understand not experiments alone, but the conceptual architecture that made modern science possible. Quickie Classics summarizes timeless works with precision, preserving the author's voice and keeping the prose clear, fast, and readable—distilled, never diluted. Enriched Edition extras: Introduction · Synopsis · Historical Context · Brief Analysis · 4 Reflection Q&As · Editorial Footnotes. |
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absolute space argues argument Aristotelian Aristotle astronomy atheism atoms attraction Bentley bodies bounded boundless Bruno Cartesian celestial circle circumference Clarke Clarke's closed world conceptual Copernicus cosmic cosmology cosmos created creation debates declares Descartes distance divine early modern Earth empty endless eternal everywhere exist explain extension feign no hypotheses finite fixed stars forces Galileo geometrical Giordano Bruno globe God's gravity heavens heliocentrism hierarchy homogeneous imagination immaterial immense immovable indefinite indivisible infinite space infinite universe infinity innumerable insists intelligible Joseph Raphson JSON Kepler Koyré later laws Leibniz limitless mathematical matter measurable mechanics medieval metaphysical moon motion move never Newton Newtonian Nicholas of Cusa observation Omnipresent particles perfection philosophical physics planetary planets Principia principle proves Raphson reason relative remains replies revolution Scholium scientific sensorium shell shift Sidereus Nuncius soul spatial sphere spirit stellar structure substance Table of Contents telescope terrestrial theological things truly infinite uniform void space vortices