astronomy. In fact, the movements of the celestial bodies showed disturbing irregularities when compared with the orbits that they ought to have in accordance with Ptolemaios.100 And just as Copernicus attempted to give a coherent account and structure to astronomical facts, Kant attempted to provide metaphysical philosophy with an intelligible structure of irrefutable validity. On the basis of such observations it would thus be safe to conclude that Ptolemaic astronomical theory was incapable of providing an adequate account of the principles according to which the celestial bodies moved as well as being incapable of providing an adequate explanation of these principles, thus failing as the basis of a tenable cosmology. However, the general scholasticism of Copernicus’ time prevented an unconditional acceptance of his theory.101 Copernicus himself never expressis verbis claimed that the Earth revolved around the Sun, he merely argued that his theory on mathematical grounds helped predict the movements of the celestial hosts.102 Nevertheless, a growing number of astronomical observations contradicting geocentric cosmology, thus laying bare the inconsistencies between Ptolemaic theory and physical reality, but geocentric cosmology still constituted the universally accepted dogma of science and Christian faith.This was a dogma that was not to be disturbed by such observations and conclusions, as evidenced by Copernicus’ own hesitation in claiming its theoretical soundness.A climate of dogmatism similarly had consequences for the works of Giordano Bruno (1548-1600) and Galileo (1564-1642).103 No matter what, the geocentric world picture had to prevail.104 p a r t i 1 , c h a p t e r 2 66 100 Russell, History ofWestern philosophy and its Connection with Political and Social Circumstances from the Earliest Times to the Present Day, pp. 216, 225-226. 101 Ibid., pp. 216-217 and 512-515. 102 Filosofin genom tiderna: 1600-talet, 1700-talet, Marc-Wogau, ed., pp. 17-18. 103 Filosofin genom tiderna: Antiken, medeltiden, renässansen, Marc-Wogau, ed., pp. 413416; Filosofin genom tiderna: 1600-talet, 1700-talet, pp. 17-22; Russell, History, pp. 513525. 104 Cf. Russell, History, pp. 479-482.
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