Opinionated History of Mathematics Did Copernicus steal ideas from Islamic astronomers?
Nov 29, 2023
Exploring the theory of Copernicus borrowing from Islamic astronomy, questioning the lack of evidence and numerical coincidences. Examining heliocentric bias in astronomy models. Analysis of Copernicus' work on Mercury's motion and Venus model, arguing against stolen ideas. Exploring Copernicus' independent creation of Mercury models and questioning the need for plagiarism. Discussing how Copernicus learned about Eastern knowledge and doubting Galliano's role. Examining indirect evidence of cosmological knowledge before Copernicus and challenging consensus opinion on the transmission of knowledge from Islamic astronomers.
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Similarity Doesn’t Imply Direct Borrowing
- Copernicus' 1543 heliocentric work contains geometrical elements similar to late medieval Islamic astronomy but direct transmission evidence is lacking.
- Similarities could stem from shared Greek tools and common problem-solving within the same tradition.
Availability Shapes Likelihood Of Borrowing
- Advanced Maragha materials were not translated into Latin and were not widely available in Europe by Copernicus' time.
- Shared solutions may reflect independent responses to the same Greek-based toolbox rather than plagiarism.
Math Exam Parallel
- The host compared mathematical students independently solving the same exam problem to astronomers independently reaching similar models.
- He uses this classroom example to argue independent discovery is common with shared tools.