Georgius Agricola had not only for centuries been an authoritative figure in the earth sciences but he was also deeply involved in political and cultural reorganisation at the beginning of the 16th century. He strove for a new understanding of science attaching to it the quality of observing reality and the necessity of putting these observations into a systematic order, thus previewing the encyclopedic movement of the enlightenment. He could do this in a frame-work which was lent from the (...) De-re-rustica-literature which still acceptedvenatio, cursiositas andvirtuositas as preconditions for scientific research as well as for political activity. (shrink)

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be (...) preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant. (shrink)

Danish astronomy in the first half of the seventeenth century reflected the enduring legacy of Tycho Brahe and was dominated by his former assistant Longomontanus. This paper focuses on his successor as professor of astronomy, Jørgen From or Georgius Frommius in the Latin version, who was also the second director of the Round Tower observatory in Copenhagen. Before becoming a professor, Frommius travelled to the Netherlands and other countries. The letters from his journey cast light on the training of (...) a young astronomer at the time. He most likely was the first Dane to observe the heavens with a telescope. In the 1640s, he got involved in a controversy with the French astronomer and astrologist Jean Morin, and he later contributed to Pierre Gassendi’s pioneering biography of Tycho Brahe. Although Frommius died at the age of 46, his brief career as professor and astronomer is of interest to national as well as international history of science. (shrink)

Initio praenotandum: Imprimitur hic in latina versione articulus praeparatus pro Universali Philosophiae Enciclopaedia, quae a Polona Societate Thomae Aquinatis in Catholica Universitate Lublinensi edi curatur. Thema istud accuratius extensiusque elaboratum est in dissertatione academica ad doctoratum obtinendum, cuius hic brevis synthesis praesentatur. Erat: sacerdos, rector collegiorum studiorumque, scriptor polemicus, theologus apologeta, contrreformator, atheographus, censor criticus atheismi, Cartesii reformatorumque. A historicis eminentior putatur inter polonos sodales Societatis lesu saeculo XVIII. Quam opinionem ipsi potissimum meruerunt eius publicationes populares, in quibus actualia graviaque (...) problemata perpendebat illisque remedia opportuna proponebat. Apud suos confratres optima quoque aestimatione usus est testificata muneribus ipsi commissis in communitatis bonum. (shrink)

In this article the views of George of Trebizond on death are regrouped and presented as they were expressed in various of his works over a long period. From their study, their dependence of classical Greek philosophy is demonstrated and his overall turn from Neo-Platonism to Aristotelianism is also adequately proved.

It is shown, first, that Georgius Benignus [Juraj Dragišić, ca 1445-1520] at the end of the 15th century almost fully disposed with the theory of the fourth syllogistic figure. Prantl's view on Benignus' logic is critically examined. Besides, Benignus' doctrines on the supposition of terms and logical consequences are examined with respect to his two versions of logic (1488/1489 and 1519) and to the main influences (e.g., Strodus, Paulus Venetus, Ferebrich, Paulus Pergolensis). A reduction of the rules of consequences (...) of Benignus' logic 1488/1489 to the rules of logic 1519 is reconstructed. Benignus rejects the reasoning ex impossible quodlibet and e quolibet necessarium in what he defines as material consequences. (shrink)

Supposition is a controversial logical theory. Scholars have investigated many points of this doctrine such as its historical origin, its use in theology, the logical function of the theory, or the relationship between supposition and signification. In the article I focus on this latter aspect by discussing how some Italian, and in particular Florentine, Dominican followers of Aquinas—Francis of Prato, Girolamo Savonarola, and Georgius Rovegnatinus —explained the relation between the linguistic terms’ properties of signifying and suppositing, and hence the (...) division of supposition. After sketching out Thomas Aquinas, Hervaeus Natalis, and William of Ockham’s positions on the relationship between signification and supposition, I closely examine Francis’s criticism of Ockham. Francis follows Walter Burley’s account of supposition and considers the statement that a term has simple supposition when it is taken not significatively and stands for an intention of mind as the weak point of Ockham’s explanation of supposition. According to Francis, if this were the case, there would be no semantic basis for differentiating simple from material supposition. Francis is however hesitant about the full subordination of supposition to signification, especially with regards to material supposition, when a term, suppositing for itself, is taken to signify itself besides its meaning. More than one hundred years later, Girolamo Savonarola and Georgius Rovegnatinus have no doubt about the fact that terms may supposit only for what they signify. (shrink)

Georgius Trapezuntius Cretensis (1395-1472), an eminent humanist scholar who immigrated to Italy from Crete, is well appreciated for his treatises on philosophy and rhetoric, his commentary on Ptolemy’s Almagest (Syntaxis Mathematica) and his translations of Plato, Aristotle as well as of some Christian fathers. Trapezuntius’ works, although heavily criticized at times, contributed to Italian and Northern Renaissance. On the basis of major evidence, we will attempt in this paper to show the way Trapezuntius treated the Aristotelian and Platonic mathematics (...) in order to serve his personal goals in the rather peculiar intellectual climate of the mid 15th century. (shrink)

This article examines the philosophical position of Plutarch on death through the way that he faces the deaths of prominent and non-prominent Lacedaemonians. Then, an analysis of Plutarch's positions by Georgius Trapezuntius in the Renaissance period is attempted, so as to illustrate the degree and the method of using the classical philosophical thought in the Renaissance.

The article presents the life and work of Juraj Dragišić, a philosophical and theological writer, as one of the most important and influential Croatian philosphers of 15th and 16th century. A brief presentation of his university and ecclesiastical career is followed by a closer examination of some of Dragišić’s works in which he discusses a whole range of philosophical, theological, and logical issues, such as the problem of the authenticity of prophecies, freedom of will, restoration of Christianity, logics, and dialectical (...) skill, and others. In the conclusion, it has been pointed out that Dragišić was, not only due to his works, but also his ecclesiastic and political career, a true man of his time that in the intellectual sense anticipates certain tendencies which are to become prominent in the mid of the 16th century. (shrink)

The article presents the life and work of Juraj Dragišić, a philosophical and theological writer, as one of the most important and influential Croatian philosphers of 15th and 16th century. A brief presentation of his university and ecclesiastical career is followed by a closer examination of some of Dragišić’s works in which he discusses a whole range of philosophical, theological, and logical issues, such as the problem of the authenticity of prophecies, freedom of will, restoration of Christianity, logics, and dialectical (...) skill, and others. In the conclusion, it has been pointed out that Dragišić was, not only due to his works, but also his ecclesiastic and political career, a true man of his time that in the intellectual sense anticipates certain tendencies which are to become prominent in the mid of the 16th century. (shrink)

Georgius Trapezuntius Cretensis (or George of Trebizond) (1396-1472), an eminent humanist scholar who immigrated to Italy from Crete, is well appreciated for his translations, commentaries and treatises on philosophy, rhetoric and science. While there is a good deal of scholarship on Byzantine scholars in the Italian Renaissance, the topic of their contribution to mathematics and science in general has not to date been thoroughly addressed. This paper purports to fill this lacuna. On the basis of major evidence, I will (...) attempt to show the way Trapezuntius treated mathematics and physical sciences in order to serve his personal goals in the mid 15th century. (shrink)