The Philosophical Justification for the Equant in Ptolemy’s Almagest

Author:

Zainaldin James L.1

Affiliation:

1. Department of the Classics, Harvard University 204 Boylston Hall, Harvard Yard, Cambridge ma 02138.USA

Abstract

Abstract In this paper I offer a close reading of Ptolemy’s philosophical defense of the equant in Almagest 9.2. I identify the challenge to the equant that his defense is supposed to meet, characterizing it as a dispute concerning the origin and authority of the astronomer’s first principles (ἀρχαί). I argue that the equant could be taken to violate a principle fundamental to the Almagest’s astronomical project, namely, that the heavenly bodies move only in uniform circular motions. I show that Ptolemy is not unaware of this potential objection, and explore two ways in which he seeks to fend it off.

Publisher

Brill

Subject

History and Philosophy of Science,Philosophy,History

Cited by 1 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

1. A mechanical concentric solar model in Khāzinī’s Mu‘tabar zīj;Archive for History of Exact Sciences;2022-06-11

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