The Gnostalgia Podcast Astrology and the Renaissance w/ Michal Paszkiewicz
Jun 19, 2025
In this enlightening conversation, Michal Paszkiewicz, an independent researcher and scholar known for translating the 'Almagestum Novum' by Giovanni Battista Riccoli, delves into the intertwining histories of astrology and astronomy. He discusses how early astronomers often practiced astrology and critiques its legacy against scientific rationalism. The dialogue also explores the philosophical limits of knowledge, the moral authority in contemporary society, and the impact of celestial movements on human identity—shedding light on humanity's quest for meaning and understanding in a vast cosmos.
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Astronomy and Astrology Were Unified
- In the Renaissance, astronomy and astrology were fully intertwined disciplines. - Astronomy often served astrology, with astronomers mainly engaged as court astrologers providing horoscopes and other advice.
Planets as Angelic Agents
- Medieval thinkers saw planetary movements as driven by divine angelic beings. - This view made the planets embody cosmic gods influencing earthly events through spiritual agency.
Science's Trade-off: Quantity vs Quality
- Increasing scientific detail often reduces qualitative meaning at human scales. - Higher resolution in science trades rich understanding for more quantitative but less meaningful data.