Myths and Marvels of Astronomy

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Proctor, Richard A. (Richard Anthony), 1837-1888.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Myths and Marvels of Astronomy" by Richard A. Proctor is a collection of essays that explores the intersection of astronomical science with the mythology and folklore surrounding it, written during the late 19th century. The work delves into how ancient and modern societies have interpreted celestial phenomena through myths, reflecting on both the marvels revealed by astronomy and the misconceptions that have arisen alongside them. Proctor aims to present these topics in an accessible manner, avoiding overly technical language while providing intriguing insights into the historical and cultural significance of astronomy. The opening of this publication sets the stage by outlining the author's intent to examine astrology and its historical context. Proctor discusses how astrology, once a widely accepted practice, entwined itself with cultural beliefs and everyday language, showcasing the tension between scientific understanding and popular belief. He references significant historical figures like Cicero and Pliny to illustrate the longstanding debate over the validity of astrology. The text presents a thoughtful critique of how misconceptions surrounding the stars were gradually challenged by rational thought and scientific discovery, inviting readers to consider both the allure and the folly of astrological beliefs throughout history. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Brenda Lewis, Scott Marusak, Greg Bergquist and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 48.4 (College-level). Difficult to read.

Release date is 2008-09-08