Three models of explanation of refraction: Bacon, Pecham, Witelo
Keywords:
Light, Opus majus, Perspective, Refraction, Species.
Abstract
This paper examines three explanations of the light refraction proposed by the medieval thinkers Roger Bacon, John Pecham and Erazmus Ciolek Witelo. It is shown, first, that Bacon´s explanation was supported in a metaphysics of the multiplication of causal powers and, second, this explanation arrives to an insurmountable conflict. In the case of Pecham, it is shown that there is a greater commitment with a quantitative law which, unfortunately, leads to an defeated explanation. Finally, the desire of Witelo to introduce cosmological elements in its explanation is valued.Downloads
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Published
2012-11-21
How to Cite
Cardona Suárez C. A. (2012). Three models of explanation of refraction: Bacon, Pecham, Witelo. Anales del Seminario de Historia de la Filosofía, 29(2), 449-480. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_ASHF.2012.v29.n2.40695
Issue
Section
Estudios
License
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