Ptolemy's Philosophy
eBook - PDF

Ptolemy's Philosophy

Mathematics as a Way of Life

  1. 251 pages
  2. English
  3. PDF
  4. Available on iOS & Android
eBook - PDF

Ptolemy's Philosophy

Mathematics as a Way of Life

About this book

A stimulating intellectual history of Ptolemy's philosophy and his conception of a world in which mathematics reigns supreme

The Greco-Roman mathematician Claudius Ptolemy is one of the most significant figures in the history of science. He is remembered today for his astronomy, but his philosophy is almost entirely lost to history. This groundbreaking book is the first to reconstruct Ptolemy's general philosophical system—including his metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics—and to explore its relationship to astronomy, harmonics, element theory, astrology, cosmology, psychology, and theology.

In this stimulating intellectual history, Jacqueline Feke uncovers references to a complex and sophisticated philosophical agenda scattered among Ptolemy's technical studies in the physical and mathematical sciences. She shows how he developed a philosophy that was radical and even subversive, appropriating ideas and turning them against the very philosophers from whom he drew influence. Feke reveals how Ptolemy's unique system is at once a critique of prevailing philosophical trends and a conception of the world in which mathematics reigns supreme.

A compelling work of scholarship, Ptolemy's Philosophy demonstrates how Ptolemy situated mathematics at the very foundation of all philosophy—theoretical and practical—and advanced the mathematical way of life as the true path to human perfection.

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Information

Publisher
Princeton University Press
Year
2018
Print ISBN
9780691210391
9780691179582
eBook ISBN
9780691184036
Topic
Philosophy
Subtopic
History & Philosophy of Mathematics

Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Dedication Page
  5. Contents
  6. List of Illustrations
  7. Acknowledgments
  8. 1: Introduction
  9. 2: Defining the Sciences
  10. 3: Knowledge or Conjecture
  11. 4: Mathematics and the Good Life
  12. 5: Harmonia
  13. 6: Harmonics and Astronomy
  14. 7: Mathematizing the Human Soul
  15. 8: Astrology and Cosmology
  16. 9: Conclusion
  17. Bibliography
  18. Index

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Yes, you can access Ptolemy's Philosophy by Jacqueline Feke in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Philosophy & History & Philosophy of Mathematics. We have over 1.5 million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.