Cosmology in Philosophy & Religion

Project Introduction

I have chosen to do my project on cosmology because I love the study of philosophy and science especially in how they relate to religion.  Cosmology manages to bring all these things together in one not so neat package ready for my dissection.  I prefer to specialize in the study of the singularity and big bang cosmology though my rantings do often times venture off away from the subject at hand.  I already have a fairly decent grasp of the major theories and beliefs in modern cosmology though I do hope to learn more in relation to the pre-modern studies of the topic.  I believe this topic will interest others in the class because it is not a subject often tackled, as I’ve seen that many of the other students have chosen topics in the biomedical sciences and mathematics.  I have seen little that resembles what would today be considered philosophical study and more that appears as “science.”

My project will be broken up in to three episodes, each taking place in a different era of science: Ancient, Medieval, and Early Modern.  For my ancient episode I will likely delve in to an overview of ancient Greek cosmological beliefs: more specifically the beliefs of key figures such as Plato and Aristotle.  I may even throw in a little bit of Pythagorean in there just for kicks.  While some of what I place within this episode will be an overview I would be remiss to leave out the most influential character of all Ptolemy.  I will devote at least half of this episode to his studies and how he influence cosmological belief for a thousand years after.

Episode Two, The Medieval Period, will consist of a great matter religious study.  The medieval period saw the rise of two of the world’s greatest religions Islam and Christianity, which have had a great impact on cosmological belief ever since.  I will likely delve into the early Christian ideas proposed by Augustine and Basil and will definitely devote a good portion to Ockham’s studies.  An overview of Islamic cosmological doctrine of the Middle Ages will most likely make an appearance, as will an analysis of the Church’s interference and affect on cosmological science in general throughout this period.

The Third Episode will take place during the Early Modern Period.  A great portion of this episode will be devoted to the works of Copernicus.  I will make sure to include an overview of the Reformation’s affect on cosmology and cosmological thought.  I could not complete the episode without an analysis of Newton’s discoveries and of the effect that they would have for the future of cosmology.

Aristotle's Cosmological Argument 

Possible Primary Sources

The City of God. Augustine of Hippo. 5th Century C.E.
                Augustine was a philosopher before he became a theologian.  He was a Bishop of the Catholic Church and was eventually sainted.  He was very influential in the connection between the church and philosophy.

Hexameron.  Saint Basil the Great. 4th Century C.E.
                Basil was also a Bishop and a Saint like Augustine.  He more than any other created a bridge between philosophy and religion with his work in Hexameron where he proposed that the Earth in its current form was created in six days.

De revolutionibus orbium coelestium.  Nicolaus Copernicus.  1543 C.E.
                Copernicus revolutionized modern thinking of the universe.  It would be poor judgment for me to leave him out of my studies.

Possible Secondary Sources

Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction.  William L Rowe.  2006.
                My first book for my first class on the subject of Philosophy of Religion and quite a good source as a starting point.

Medieval Cosmology: Theories of Infinity, Place, Time, Void, and the Plurality of Worlds. 1987.
                Contains translations of Ockham’s works and appears to be a good general overview of the time period subject.

Appearance and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Physics. Peter Kosso. 1998.
                Cosmology is two inherent sources: astrophysics and religion.  I’ve got an intro religion book; I feel I’d also need an intro physics book.