In a 1993 case, the US Supreme Court declared, “science is not an encyclopedic body of knowledge about the universe. Instead, it represents a process for proposing and refining theoretical explanations about the world that are subject to further testing and refinement.” The definition of science as a combination of both methodology and creativity, rather than simple accumulation of knowledge, is what ultimately reinforces the idea that Kepler’s accomplishments are superior to those of his predecessors.
Accuracy and Precision
The first significant aspect of science (that it is a process) is effectively demonstrated by Kepler’s desire for precision. This is one quality that sets him apart from the other astronomers of the time period and illustrates the ways in which he was a better scientist. Similar to Tycho Brahe, Kepler possessed a drive for accuracy and was meticulous in his attention to detail. Although both Kepler and Brahe shared this obsession for exactness in measurement, Kepler took it a step further by actually employing these measurements to solve the puzzle of Mars’ orbit.
According to Kolb, “The saga began when Kepler discovered that his circular model with varying velocity disagreed with two of Tycho’s observations by eight measly minutes of arc.” After this discovery, “anyone but Kepler would have ignored this infinitesimal discrepancy; perhaps some would have fudged it away”. However, his appreciation for detail ultimately led Kepler to investigate the error and attempt to develop an explanation for its cause. This demonstrates his more advanced outlook on science as a method and serves as an example of his scientific superiority.
Kepler’s sophisticated methods of observation are also shown through his ability to acknowledge his mistakes and work through them. This is in direct contrast with Brahe, who was unable (or unwilling) to realize the shortcomings of his own model of the solar system, which was “mathematically identical” to those developed by Ptolemy and Copernicus.
Kepler, on the other hand, understood that scientific discovery required patience and resolve. Despite the fact that his “mind was so constituted that he was unable to find the way to truth without first having explored all the paths leading into error” (Alexandre Koyre qtd. in Dorman), Kepler persevered with his observations and maintained his attention to detail. His dedication coupled with his willingness to admit his own mistakes allowed him to improve his research techniques and to eventually develop his model of the solar system with elliptical planetary orbits.
Creativity
In addition to this perseverance and appreciation for detail, Kepler was also a creative and original thinker, which places him on a much higher level than the other three astronomers previously mentioned. The modern definition of science emphasizes originality of thought, a quality that Kepler exemplified throughout his research. Instead of simply expanding upon the models already accepted by the public as his predecessors had done, Kepler was able to use reason and rationalization to develop unique and innovative theories.
Not only did he get past the established beliefs in uniform circular motion and geocentrism, but he also reintroduced principles of other sciences into his model. Helden writes, “Whereas other astronomers still followed the ancient precept that the study of the planets is a problem only in kinematics, Kepler took an openly dynamic approach, introducing physics into the heavens.”
His creativity also extended beyond astronomy and led to other accomplishments, including being the first person to design eyeglasses for nearsightedness, the first person to describe the mechanism of a pinhole camera, and the first to conceive of depth perception from the use of both eyes. All of these achievements indicate that Kepler possessed a unique talent for thinking creatively—and, more importantly, for thinking as a true scientist.
Overall, his diligence, precision, ingenuity, and tendency to think completely outside of the box demonstrate Kepler’s remarkable capabilities as an effective astronomer. His advanced methodology and creativity embrace the modern definition of science, and allow him to be recognized as truly ahead of his time.
Sources
Dorman, Susan. "The cosmology of error: Mark Twain, C.S. Lewis, and Johannes Kepler in literary trialogue." Extrapolation 48(2007): 44-56.
Helden, Al. "Johannes Kepler." The Galileo Project. 1995. Rice University. 29 Sep
2007.
Kolb, Rocky. Blind Watchers of the Sky. Cambridge: Perseus Publishing, 1996.
Shrake, Douglas, et al.. "What is Science?." The Ohio Journal of Science 106(2006): 130-136.
