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krep___'s review
4.0
Read in fascimile at:
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL6981190M/Conversations_on_the_plurality_of_worlds.
Additional description of the edition on the cover page:
"WITH NOTES, and a critical account of the author's writings by Jerome de la Lande, Senior Director of the Observatory at Paris."
"Translated from a late Paris Edition, by Miss Elizabeth Gunning."
1803 printing by J. Cundee, Ivy-Lane, London.
A fascinating glimpse into Enlightenment open-mindedness in which scientific discovery and philosophy fed off each other. This is a lighthearted presentation for the general public on the astronomical physics of the day (1683). It is post-Copernicus/Galileo and mid-Newton, just a couple years pre-gravitation (i.e., prior to Principae). Much of the discussion in this "dialogue", once the issues of viewing perspectives, astronomical distances and sizes are dealt with, concerns the possibilities of life on other planets and on planets around other stars. De la Lande supplies footnotes to bring De Fontenelle's 120-year-old astronomy up to date (1803) by, for example, correcting some distances and mentioning the new 7th planet which apparently lacked an official name, so he refers to it simply as "Herschel".
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL6981190M/Conversations_on_the_plurality_of_worlds.
Additional description of the edition on the cover page:
"WITH NOTES, and a critical account of the author's writings by Jerome de la Lande, Senior Director of the Observatory at Paris."
"Translated from a late Paris Edition, by Miss Elizabeth Gunning."
1803 printing by J. Cundee, Ivy-Lane, London.
A fascinating glimpse into Enlightenment open-mindedness in which scientific discovery and philosophy fed off each other. This is a lighthearted presentation for the general public on the astronomical physics of the day (1683). It is post-Copernicus/Galileo and mid-Newton, just a couple years pre-gravitation (i.e., prior to Principae). Much of the discussion in this "dialogue", once the issues of viewing perspectives, astronomical distances and sizes are dealt with, concerns the possibilities of life on other planets and on planets around other stars. De la Lande supplies footnotes to bring De Fontenelle's 120-year-old astronomy up to date (1803) by, for example, correcting some distances and mentioning the new 7th planet which apparently lacked an official name, so he refers to it simply as "Herschel".
stacialithub's review
5.0
A charming mix of philosophy & the science of astronomy from 1686. Fontenelle playfully & joyfully explores known & theorized scientific facts of the time concerning the universe. At times, he is spookily prescient. How I wish he could be alive today to see & wonder at the scientific strides we humans have made into space exploration. I imagine he would be awed & thrilled at the known, while positing even more theories & questions as to what still lies unknown. It makes me smile to even imagine him witnessing a space shuttle expedition or the preparations of sending people to Mars.
Even though written centuries ago, it reawakens the joy, imagination, & intellect at viewing & trying to understand not only Earth but the entire universe. Kudos to our scientists & thinkers of the past, present, & future. A complete delight.
Even though written centuries ago, it reawakens the joy, imagination, & intellect at viewing & trying to understand not only Earth but the entire universe. Kudos to our scientists & thinkers of the past, present, & future. A complete delight.
nicreadsbooks's review
5.0
An astounding book. Don't let the dull cover or the fact that it was written in the 17th Century deter you from picking up this book. I wish Fontanelle had explained the solar system to me when I was younger, because he picks such beautiful metaphors to illustrate the motions of the moon and the Earth.
It was a controversial book in its day, but Fontanelle was such a clever writer that he quite successfully (in my opinion) evaded the religious criticism of the clergy.
It was a controversial book in its day, but Fontanelle was such a clever writer that he quite successfully (in my opinion) evaded the religious criticism of the clergy.
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