This week will focus on Copernicus though we will spend a little time also on the second great astronomer of the 16th century, Tycho Brahe. The basic reading is Kuhn's ch. 5 and the first two sections of his ch. 6 (together pp. 134-209). The Matthews anthology contains two texts by Copernicus, the beginning (roughly the first 1/3) of the early Commentariolus (1512) and the dedication of Copernicus's chief work, the De Revolutionibus (1543). Kuhn includes a slightly abridged version of the dedication as well as extensive selections from the first book of the work.

Tuesday (9/20). I'll suggest you begin with the selection from the Commentariolus (Matthews, pp. 36-39) and also read about the first 3/4 of Kuhn's ch. 5 (pp. 134-171). Look at the selection from De Revolutionibus in Matthews (pp. 40-44) if you are curious about the passages missing in Kuhn (or want to read a different translation). Much of our discussion will focus on the details of Copernicus's system and his arguments for it, but watch for Kuhn's general points (e.g., the three "incongruities" he identifies--see pp. 154-5 and p. 171).

Thursday (9/22). Complete ch. 5 in Kuhn and read ch. 6 through the discussion of Tycho Brahe (together pp. 171-209). Kuhn begins this assignment by saying that (when judged on practical grounds) the Copernican system "was a failure" and ends it by saying that Copernicus's work "marked a turning point, and there was no turning back." You should aim to find how Kuhn works his way from the first of these comments to the second. And, along the way, think about the example of Tycho Brahe and ask yourself whether his position was a reasonable one--was he a good scientist?