If you are intrigued by the notion of a forgotten philosopher then look no further than Giordano Bruno: In Memoriam of the 17th February 1600 , a eulogy for an original thinker and heretic, Giordano Bruno. Bruno was a Dominican priest who journeyed from faith in Catholocisim to faith in science during his short life, he was eventually tried by the Roman Inquisition and burned at the stake for his beliefs. This book is a brief introduction to his life and ideas.
It is philosopher Alois Riehl who writes in remembrance of Bruno's life. Bruno was highly educated and had a special talent for philosophy; His writing on the nature of memory, De Umbras Idearum - The Shadows of Ideas, brought him to the attention of the highest Catholic authorities, including the Pope. Bruno's books on memory posited that ideas are only the shadows of truth, which was a radical idea at the time. Although Catholic authorities were impressed by Bruno, that did not stop him from continuing to follow his own philosophical wanderings, even when they led him far from his vocation as a priest. He became a follower of Copernicus and soon started arguing that the sun was just one of several life-supporting stars, even envisioning other worlds full of alien beings. Soon Bruno was denying the existence of the Holy Trinity and Transubstantiation, which brought him within the purview of the Roman Inquisition. Bruno was forced to flee his home in Italy, ending up in the United Kingdom.
As Riehl explains, Bruno's dedication to telling his own truths brought him into conflict wherever he went. His outspokenness caused a scene at Oxford University and even caused a row with the Archbishop of Canterbury. However, Bruno continued to publish his theories, eventually publishing more than 30 books on cosmology, mathematics and theology. The Roman Inquisition finally tried Bruno for denying key aspects of the Catholic faith as well as for supporting controversial cosmological theories. He was burned at the stake and is still seen as a martyr by some scientists and philosophers.
Riehl discusses Bruno's theories, but only in brief, explaining that the reader should seek out Bruno's books if he or she wants to know more. Instead, by focusing on biographical details, Riehl gives readers insight into Bruno's character and the challenges that freethinkers faced during the 16th Century. Giordano Bruno: In Memoriam of the 17th February 1600 is an easy read that will leave you wanting to know more about this intriguing pioneer.
It is philosopher Alois Riehl who writes in remembrance of Bruno's life. Bruno was highly educated and had a special talent for philosophy; His writing on the nature of memory, De Umbras Idearum - The Shadows of Ideas, brought him to the attention of the highest Catholic authorities, including the Pope. Bruno's books on memory posited that ideas are only the shadows of truth, which was a radical idea at the time. Although Catholic authorities were impressed by Bruno, that did not stop him from continuing to follow his own philosophical wanderings, even when they led him far from his vocation as a priest. He became a follower of Copernicus and soon started arguing that the sun was just one of several life-supporting stars, even envisioning other worlds full of alien beings. Soon Bruno was denying the existence of the Holy Trinity and Transubstantiation, which brought him within the purview of the Roman Inquisition. Bruno was forced to flee his home in Italy, ending up in the United Kingdom.
As Riehl explains, Bruno's dedication to telling his own truths brought him into conflict wherever he went. His outspokenness caused a scene at Oxford University and even caused a row with the Archbishop of Canterbury. However, Bruno continued to publish his theories, eventually publishing more than 30 books on cosmology, mathematics and theology. The Roman Inquisition finally tried Bruno for denying key aspects of the Catholic faith as well as for supporting controversial cosmological theories. He was burned at the stake and is still seen as a martyr by some scientists and philosophers.
Riehl discusses Bruno's theories, but only in brief, explaining that the reader should seek out Bruno's books if he or she wants to know more. Instead, by focusing on biographical details, Riehl gives readers insight into Bruno's character and the challenges that freethinkers faced during the 16th Century. Giordano Bruno: In Memoriam of the 17th February 1600 is an easy read that will leave you wanting to know more about this intriguing pioneer.
