Philolaus (c.470–380/9 BC)

Author(s):  
Hermann S. Schibli

The Greek philosopher Philolaus of Croton, a contemporary of Democritus and Socrates, was a pre-eminent Pythagorean. His book counts as the first written treatise in the history of Pythagoreanism. Surviving in fragments, it constitutes an important source for our knowledge of fifth-century Pythagoreanism and supplements the picture given by Aristotle of Pythagorean doctrine. Like earlier Presocratics Philolaus sought to furnish a comprehensive cosmology. Arguing from logical propositions, he posited two pre-existing principles: ‘unlimited things’ and ‘limiting things’. United by harmony these two principles account for the formation of the cosmos and its phenomena. Since Philolaus also invokes number as an all-powerful explanatory concept, it is likely that he associated his first principles and the things originating from them with numbers. The emphasis on harmony and number accords with early Pythagoreanism. Philolaus also wrote on musical theory and astronomy. A noteworthy feature of his astronomy is the displacement of the earth from the centre of the cosmos by fire, pictured as the ‘hearth’ of the universe. The fragments further attest Philolaus’ interest in embryology, the causes of diseases, and physiology combined with psychological functions. It was not unusual for early Greek philosophers to treat such a wide variety of topics. The distinctive elements of the thought of Philolaus are the logical arguments evinced in the fragments and the epistemological role of number for understanding the structure of reality.

Satellite images occupy a signifi cant place in the Earth Sciences. This fully applies to geography. Images of the Earth from space are used in various activities: to assess crops, to establish the boundaries of a phenomenon, to determine the degree of contamination of land or ocean surfaces, to search for minerals, and so on. But in school geography, satellite images are used very rarely - for example, to prove the sphericity of the Earth or to show the view of each continent from space. The purpose of this article is to highlight the methods of using satellite images in geography lessons at school and to create tasks based on these means of training. Main material. The history of using satellite images in school geography has been considered in the article. Advantages and disadvantages of satellite images as training tools are also noted. The role of satellite images in the formation of geographical representations is highlighted by the authors. These images realistically depict many natural phenomena (atmospheric fronts, cyclones, dust storms, etc.). Therefore, as a means of visualization, they contribute to the formation of memory representations in schoolchildren. Examples of a number of satellite images show how they can be used in teaching geography. The article off ers a methodical way of the use of satellite images at diff erent stages of learning. These images can be used to explain the training material, repeat it, control knowledge, and so on. Satellite images can be used to solve cartographic tasks. As practice has shown, we can perform creative tasks based on images. Conclusions. Satellite images play an important role in the system of teaching geography. The use of satellite images allows us to improve the pupils’ interest in the subject. Satellite images form geographical memory representations create a visual image of the natural appearance of the Earth. The study of educational opportunities of the Earth’s images from space has revealed three groups of requirements: pedagogical, technical and specific, determined by the content of school geography. The teacher should select satellite images based on the content of educational tasks of school geography.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-87
Author(s):  
Toji Omonovich Norov ◽  

The universe, the space that make up their basis planets in it, their creation, the main essence of their creation, form, composition, meaning, movements, interactions, their influence on human life and activities, the role of man in the universe and in life on Earth, life, the criteria of activity and processes occurring in time and space have long been of interest to humanity. One of the main problems in the history of philosophy is the question of space and time. This problem was defined in different ways in the great schools of thought by thinkers of different periods. One of these great thinkers is Alisher Navoi. Navoi's works, along with other socio-philosophical themes, uniquely express and analyze the problems of the firmament and time. Its main feature is that it is based on the divine (pantheistic) religion, Islam, its holy book, the Koran and other theological sources, as well as on the secrets of nature and the Universe, the main miracle of Allah - human intelligence, the power of enlightenment, they are the key revealing all these secrets.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-225
Author(s):  
Marthe Kretzschmar

Knowledge of the materiality of stone during the Enlightenment expanded following the exploration of mineralogical structure, to alter ideas about taxonomy and challenge the role of rocks in the history of the earth. Close studies of the material of marble sculpture generated expertise on grain size, surface varieties and stone deposits. This mode of reception became intertwined with contemporary controversies about the age of the earth. This article focuses on both French sculpture and geological discourses of the eighteenth century to reveal an international and interdisciplinary network centring on protagonists such as Denis Diderot, Paul-Henri Thiry d’Holbach and Étienne-Maurice Falconet; through these figures, debates can be connected concerning both geology and art theory. Within these contexts, the article discusses the translation processes between these artistic and geological interests.


1990 ◽  
Vol 141 ◽  
pp. 142-142
Author(s):  
Li Zhi-gang ◽  
Qi Guan-Rong

While HIPPARCOS is expected to measure positions and proper motions with more accuracy than those obtained by ground-based instruments, what can we do in the future for ground-based instruments? The observations with them still are important for establishing an inertial frame because of the long history of observations with them and improvements in the instruments. Moreover, it is necessary to have data of observations from them for research on problems related to the Earth. The horizontal meridian circle in China (DCMT) is expected to have advantage over the classical meridian circles. The DCMT will be assembled and tested this year. It should work in the following fields: (1) observing radio stars, (2) observation of minor planets, (3) absolute determinations of IRS.


1992 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 631-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Hart

That narrative can be more than a mechanical recitation of events is epitomized in Thucydides’ challenge to historiographical paradigms current during the fifth century B.C. In his definitive history of the war between Athens and Sparta, the Athenian general in effect tells a “story” with a beginning, middle, and end. Thucydides’ history of the Peloponnesian War is anything but a neutral description of events. Instead, the collection interprets the conflict for the reader. The tale contains a discussion of the role of alternative military strategies and of the war’s wider political implications. According to Thucydides, the fractionization and polarization engendered by war as a mode of resolving political conflicts is too high a price to pay for victors and losers alike. Thucydides warns of psychic as well as material costs. Thus, the ancient political scientist tells the story of the Peloponnesian War to assert that the “sequences of real events be assessed as to their significance as elements of a moral drama” (White 1987: 21).


2014 ◽  
Vol 789 (2) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakim Atek ◽  
Jean-Paul Kneib ◽  
Camilla Pacifici ◽  
Matthew Malkan ◽  
Stephane Charlot ◽  
...  

1991 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Le Poidevin

Could a theory concerning the temporal structure of the universe have any implications for the possibility of a creator? A recent remark by Stephen Hawking suggests that it could. In A Brief History of Time, Hawking writes:The idea that space and time may form a closed surface without boundary … has profound implications for the role of God in the affairs of the universe… So long as the universe had a beginning, we could suppose it had a creator. But if the universe is really completely self-contained, having no boundary or edge, it would have neither beginning nor end: it would simply be. What place, then, for a creator?


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-78
Author(s):  
Djonly J. R. Rosang

The creation of the universe, according to the Holy Bible has actually done as said in Genesis 1-2. However, there are some people who are still struggling in order to search for the reason to question the process of how is this universe actually began, so that they will look for scientific consideration to find the “theoretical justification” over the biblical truth. This writing aims to give an answer to the gap theory in Genesis 1:1-2. The author, through the study Genesis 1:1-2, the result of this study concluded as follows. First, there is no exegesis background that is strong enough for gap theory to give an assumption that there was an unmeasurably period of time or age in the creation of the universe. Second, a biblical statement, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth ... for in six days the LORD made heaven and the earth” (Gen. 1:1; Ex. 20:11) is an ultimate fact of God’s power and majesty in creating the earth from nothing to existence with His Word (creatio ex Nihilo). Third, the doctrine of world’s creation must be the foundation of faith that is tested in the authority of God’s words (2 Tim. 3:16) and the entire creation of God which become the medium of scientifical activity in the history of humanity must be according to the biblical perspective. Fourth, The statement of Genesis 1:1 appears to be refutation toward various scientific theories and human’s philosophic perspective that are opposite the biblical truth (Gen. 1-2, Ps. 33:4-9).Pernyataan Alkitab tentang penciptaan alam semesta sebenarnya sudah tuntas sebagaimana dikemukakan dalam Kejadian 1-2. Namun ada saja orang yang berusaha mencari alasan untuk mempertanyakan proses terjadinya alam semesta ini, sehingga mencoba mencari pertimbangan ilmiah untuk menemukan “pembenaran teoritis” atas kebenaran Alkitab. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk memberi jawab terhadap teori celah (gap theory) dalam Kejadian 1:1-2, melalui studi biblika penulis mengemukakan argumentasi paham teori celah, dalam kajian metode induktif terhadap studi teks Kejadian 1:1-2. Hasil studi ini disimpulkan bahwa: Pertama, bahwa tidak ada dasar eksegesis yang kuat bagi teori celah untuk memberi ruang bagi asumsi adanya rentang waktu periode atau zaman yang tak terukur dalam proses penciptaan semesta. Kedua, pernyataan Alkitab, “Pada mulanya Allah menciptakan langit dan bumi ... dalam waktu enam hari lamanya” (Kej. 1:1, Kel. 20:11) adalah suatu fakta Alkitab yang tak terbantahkan sebagai tindakan kemahakuasaan dan keagungan Allah menciptakan dunia dari yang tidak ada menjadi ada dengan firman-Nya (creatio ex nihilo). Ketiga, doktrin penciptaan harus menjadi landasan iman Kristen yang  diuji dalam otoritas Firman Allah yang berkuasa (2 Tim. 3:16) serta dunia ciptaan Allah dan segala isinya menjadi arena kegiatan ilmiah dalam lintasan sejarah manusia haruslah berdasarkan perspektif Alkitab. Keempat,  pernyataan penciptaan Kejadian 1:1 merupakan sanggahan terhadap berbagai teori ilmu pengetahuan dan pandangan filsafat manusia yang bertentangan dengan kebenaran Alkitab (Kej. 1-2, Mzm. 33:4-9).


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 19-41
Author(s):  
Andreas MAY

Conclusions about the Creator of the universe are drawn from the evolution and diversity of living beings. Furthermore, four events of the Earth's history are addressed. From them, it can be concluded that the Creator actively intervened in the history of the Earth to promote the development of intelligent life. Following characteristics of the Creator are observed: He is patient, creates an exuberant fullness, and gives freedom to his creation. He uses causal links and seemingly random events to steer the course of his creation. The Creator is in constant dialogue with his creation to lead it into ever greater abundance and freedom. He uses evolutionary processes, which are not goal-oriented, to achieve his goals. The observed characteristics of the Creator fit very well with the Judeo-Christian God. The question is raised whether the Creator is timeless or not.


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