American historian Thomas Kuhn regarded the acceptance of heliocentic theory as an index of a revolution
"A belief in earth -centered universe was gradually transformed from an essential sign of sanity to an index , first, of inflexible conservatism , then of excessive parochialism, and finally of complete fanaticism."
Explain and paraphrase this quote in ten sentences, please!
2006-10-02 03:37:07 · 6 answers · asked by sharon 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
Kuhn is talking about the divergence of scientific theory from the predominant religious/theological positions of the era.
The idea of an earth-centered universe was consistent with the teaching of the church, "God created the heavens and the earth" and given that man was created in God's image, and Earth is where man lives, Earth was accepted as the focal point, the center of things. To suggest that the earth was merely a cog in a larger cosmic machine, that the earth revolved around some other body, would have been madness. Even Galileo had to be careful about how he presented his findings, so as not to offend the church.
So to retain a belief in an earth-centered universe over time (as evidence to the contrary mounted) went from being an essential sign of sanity, to simply stubborn adherence to an old set of beliefs, and finally to such a position itself being considered madness.
2006-10-02 03:55:29 · answer #1 · answered by C-Man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ppl once believed the earth was the center of the universe and as such was a divine sign of universal superiority. after copernicous, the earth became a point of reference only, and the sun was the center of the universe. initially the earth center theory was considered as fact, then more studied ppl proved the sun was in fact the center of the solar system, and only the most fanatic sectarians continued to believe the earth was the center of all that is.
2006-10-02 10:49:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it sounds like homework, which is something you should do!
If you asked for help in understanding the quote, I might have considered your request decent, in the least.
Oh, well. Too late for that. Don't bother with me. After all, I'm not the center of the universe, you are!
2006-10-04 09:23:34 · answer #3 · answered by walrus carpenter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earth is not the center of the universe, just the center of craziness!
2006-10-02 13:04:46 · answer #4 · answered by Burford Bigelow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you still think that the earth is the center of the universe, then you're crazy.
2006-10-02 10:45:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it means he went off the deep end and is lost.To believe in some thing made up takes more faith than believing the true word of GOD and leaves a person on the path of misunderstanding.
2006-10-02 13:02:26 · answer #6 · answered by robertemorehead 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋