Nicole Oresme (c. 1320-1382) was a prominent philosopher, theologian, and mathematician of the 14th century. He was born in Normandy, France and is known for his contributions to natural philosophy, economics, and astronomy. Oresme is considered one of the most important thinkers of the late Middle Ages and his work has had a lasting impact on the development of modern science and economics.
Early Life and Education
Oresme was born in the town of Allemagne in Normandy. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he was educated at the University of Paris. He studied theology, philosophy, and mathematics and became a member of the Franciscan Order. Oresme was a brilliant scholar and his work quickly gained recognition among his peers.
Contributions to Natural Philosophy
Oresme’s most significant contributions were in the field of natural philosophy. He rejected many of the Aristotelian teachings of his time and instead developed his own theories based on observation and experimentation. Oresme believed that the universe was infinite and that the Earth was not the center of the universe. He also rejected the notion that celestial bodies moved in perfect circles and instead argued that they moved in elliptical orbits.
Oresme’s work in natural philosophy was instrumental in paving the way for the scientific revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries. His ideas on the infinite nature of the universe and the movement of celestial bodies directly influenced the work of Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler.
Contributions to Economics
In addition to his work in natural philosophy, Oresme also made significant contributions to the field of economics. He believed that the value of a good was determined by its usefulness and scarcity, rather than its cost of production. He also argued that the price of a good should be based on its market value, rather than its intrinsic value.
Oresme’s ideas on economics were influential in the development of modern economic theory. His emphasis on market value and the relationship between supply and demand foreshadowed the work of Adam Smith and other economists of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Contributions to Astronomy
Oresme also made important contributions to the field of astronomy. He wrote a treatise on the astrolabe, a device used for measuring the altitude of celestial bodies. His work on the astrolabe was widely read and became a standard text in astronomy for several centuries.
Oresme also developed a new method for calculating the size and distance of the moon. His method involved observing the apparent size of the moon from two different locations on Earth and using the principles of geometry to calculate its actual size and distance. This method was a significant improvement over earlier methods and became the standard for calculating the size and distance of celestial bodies.
Legacy
Nicole Oresme’s contributions to natural philosophy, economics, and astronomy were significant and far-reaching. His rejection of Aristotelian teachings and his emphasis on observation and experimentation laid the foundation for the scientific revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries. His work on economics and the relationship between supply and demand was influential in the development of modern economic theory. His treatise on the astrolabe and his method for calculating the size and distance of the moon were instrumental in advancing the field of astronomy.
Oresme’s legacy is also evident in the impact that his ideas had on subsequent thinkers. His rejection of Aristotelian teachings foreshadowed the work of Galileo and Kepler, and his ideas on economics influenced the work of Adam Smith and other economists of the 18th and 19th centuries.