Talk:Johannes Kepler

Early years: "Protestant school in Graz (later the University of Graz)"

I believe the passage at the end of the section "Early years" that describes the school where Kepler taught in Graz as later becoming the University of Graz is in error. In fact, of importance in understanding Kepler's experience in Graz at this time is the fact that there were the competing Protestant school (the Schtiftsschule) and the Catholic college. The Catholic college was founded by Archduke Charles II (a.k.a., Archduke Karl II Franz), a Catholic Habsburg, hence the original name of the University of Graz, i.e., Karl-Franzens Universität. Please see Casper's "Kepler" (p. 54) for reference and cross check with the University of Graz website for confirmation. It is important not to conflate these schools and accidentally place Kepler among the faculty of his Stiftsschule's rival Catholic college. Are there any objections to deleting "(later the University of Graz)"?

It's only been a short while, but so far no objections have been raised to the above change. I will now delete the aforementioned parenthetical statement. In case it is necessary to replace the deleted statement, I include here the full sentence as it is now: "Despite his desire to become a minister, near the end of his studies Kepler was recommended for a position as teacher of mathematics and astronomy at the Protestant school in Graz (later the University of Graz)." — Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.57.75.228 (talk) 17:15, 1 August 2011 (UTC)

Kepler's astrology

The article section 'Dioptrice, Somnium manuscript and other work' quite badly misrepresents Kepler's attitude towards astrology. Kepler had purist views on astrology and saw it as a very spiritual study. He disliked it being used for predicting what will happen because he believed that souls were responsible for their own choices. The kind of astrology he disliked was that which catered to the crowd or individual curiosity, but he never regarded astrology as "evil-smelling dung" - what he opposed was the abuse of astrology for trivial matters. The article states this:

"While Kepler considered most traditional rules and methods of astrology to be the "evil-smelling dung" in which "an industrious hen" scrapes, there was "also perhaps a good little grain" to be found by the conscientious scientific astrologer.[40]"

This is innacurate, and it is not what the source says. In fact if the relevant pages quoted are read, it is clear that Kepler argued much more strongly in favour of astrology than against it. What he actually said was this:

It should not be considered unbelievable that one can retrieve useful knowledge and sacred relics from astrological folly and godlessness. From filthy mud one can glean even an occasional escargot, oysters or an eel for one's nutrition; in this enormous heap of worm-castings there are silk-worms to be found; and, finally, out of this foul-smelling dung-heap a diligent hen can scratch up an occasional grain-seed - indeed, even a pearl or a gold nugget.

—(Tertius Interveniens, 1.5, 1610)

He was making an anology to the fact that astrological pearls of wisdom are found even amongst what appears to be the most trivial elements of the subject. This is not the same things as saying that he considered most traditional rules and methods of astrology to be the "evil-smelling dung". In the same text (where he was mediating between extreme views), he made it clear that he held the subject in high regard, not in low regard. We can see his belief in its practical usefulness in comments such as this :

All the natural qualities of the five planets, as well as of some of the more prominent fixed stars can be grasped by the human understanding, although not perfectly, and can be integrated into a kind of science or body of knowledge, which can be used for prognostication of future events as well and as completely as can be done in medicine with the various and sundry herbs.

—(Tertius Interveniens, 9.6 1610)

And for his view of the worthiness subject note this comment - where he is moaning about the need to produce a detailed astrological prediction for a client:

Am I nevertheless supposed to let myself be used as a comedian, a performer, or some other kind of marketplace entertainer? There are plenty of young astrologers who are so inclined, and have faith in such games. Whoever wants to be fooled with eyes wide open, let him make use of their efforts and entertainment. Philosophy, and therefore genuine astrology, is a testimony of God's works, and is therefore holy. It is by no means a frivolous thing. And I, for my part, do not wish to dishonor it.

— (Revised Delineation of This [Wallenstein's] Horoscope)

The article leaves the impression that Kepler thought astrology was a frivolous thing. He clearly did not, what he thought was frivolous, was the use it was sometimes put to, to satisfy idle curiosity. -- Zac Δ ^talk! 00:21, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Bangla translation

This version of the featured article on Kepler has been translated into Bengali. Thanks to all the editors who helped create this nice wiki entry on Kepler. -- Khan Muhammad (talk) 23:16, 21 February 2012 (UTC)