Abstract
In the century and a quarter since the re-foundation of the Vatican Observatory, there have been many changes in its scientific and cultural context. In this paper I would like to reflect on implications of some of those changes for the mission of the Observatory.
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Notes
- 1.
Translation from Maffeo S.J. (2001). 315
- 2.
Ibid. 319.
- 3.
Michelson (1903). Paraphrased versions of this remark have often been attributed erroneously to Lord Kelvin.
- 4.
Maffeo S.J. (2001). 319.
- 5.
Pope John Paul II. Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio, promulgated September 14, 1998. #16–17. See http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_14091998_fides-et-ratio.html.
- 6.
Ibid. #34.
- 7.
Pope Benedict XVI. Encyclical Letter Spe Salvi, promulgated November 30, 2007. #24. See http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi.html.
- 8.
Ibid.
- 9.
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Isaac Newton, Letter to Robert Hooke, 15 February 1676.
- 10.
- 11.
- 12.
Sokal (1996a).
- 13.
Sokal (1996b).
- 14.
Ibid.
- 15.
Daston (2008). See page 99ff.
- 16.
Fleck (1979). 92.
- 17.
Posterior Analytics 2.19.100a4-8.
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Mueller S.J., P. (2018). Towards Furnishing the Universe. In: Gionti, S. J., G., Kikwaya Eluo, S.J., JB. (eds) The Vatican Observatory, Castel Gandolfo: 80th Anniversary Celebration. Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, vol 51. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67205-2_19
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