Introduction
Ancient observers had a problem with the planet’s odd movements that did not match with normal movements known by men. The Ptolemaic system shows that with the earth at the center, all other things were moving in circles and were held together by heavenly spheres. These were referred to as “wandering stars” in Greek and the problem that the astronomers were facing was to establish an account for their motions. However, Alexandria managed to come up with systems that at least shed some light on the movement of the light in the sky by placing the earth at the center of the universe. His model was later called the Ptolemaic system. Nonetheless, the Ptolemaic system was contested against by another astronomer called Nicolai Copernicus who unlike Alexandria placed the sun at the center. His was based on reducing the number of epicycles a factor that made it impossible for his theory to succeed.
Main text
Commonly referred to as the scientific revolution, the transformation of intellectual thought in the 16th and 17th centuries is a historic event (Pg56). This is what led to the division of the early new world and the medieval world. As a result, the new world came in as well as setting foot for the religious transformation in Europe. However, the new world and the religious transformation are more seen to have happened in the 16th century while the scientific revolution is more evident in the 17th century (Pg68). These changes especially the scientific revolution happened in different areas as we classify them today. In the scientific revolution, there are two areas of change which are; biology and astronomy. Biology is mainly concerned with the issues to do with psychology and anatomy while astronomy is concerned with the solar system.
As the planets revolve around the sun they form geometrical angles creating a geographical relationship with the earth. Tarnas prides on his discovery of the system of connections that put together widespread progress in history and culture. In as much as the western cultures are held in the global view to be superior over all the other cultures, other philosophers hold a different opinion. The disparity is on the meaning of the idea of the western culture because some countries such as the United States of America and Japan are very different cultures wise but both are influential in the global scene. Asian values on the other hand are considered inferior and uncivilized behaviors.
As he relates the connection between human behaviors and planets, Tarnas shows the importance of his study. He believes in his course and does a wonderful job in his research in this very successful book, “The Passion of the Western Mind: Understanding the Ideas that Have Shaped Our World View.” His explanations although in some instances appear contradictory and tend to draw controversies among other philosophers, research is carefully done and accurately presented in an easy to comprehend outline. He considers platonic thought as being significant in the structuring of the western world view. He described the Platos as “the single most important factor giving both dynamism and continuity to Western’s mind’s attempt to comprehend the physical cosmos”. (Pg48). He agrees with Plato’s reasoning that through astronomy, one can attain philosophical wisdom by examining the cosmos. I think the book is timely and well prepared for the philosophy fraternity and that it offers a deep insight into the western cultural background.
Works Cited
Tarnas, Richard. The Passion of the Western Mind: Understanding the Ideas that Have Shaped Our World View, New York, NY: Ballantine Books, 1993. Print.