Pierre Gassendi
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- | '''Pierre Gassendi''' ([[January 22]], [[1592]] – [[October 24]], [[1655]]) was a [[France|French]] [[libertine]] [[philosopher]], [[scientist]], [[astronomer]]/[[astrologer]] and [[mathematician]], best known for attempting to reconcile [[Epicureanism|Epicurean]] [[atomism]] with [[Christianity]] and for publishing the first official observations of the [[Transit of Mercury]] in [[1631]]. The [[Moon|Moon's]] Gassendi crater is named after him. | + | |
+ | '''Pierre Gassendi''' (January 22, 1592 – October 24, 1655) was a [[France|French]] [[philosopher]], [[Priesthood (Catholic Church)|priest]], [[scientist]], [[astronomer]], and [[mathematician]]. With a church position in south-east France, he also spent much time in Paris, where he was a leader of a group of free-thinking intellectuals. He was also an active observational scientist, publishing the first data on the [[transit of Mercury]] in 1631. The lunar crater [[Gassendi (crater)|Gassendi]] is named after him. | ||
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+ | He wrote numerous philosophical works, and some of the positions he worked out are considered significant, finding a way between [[scepticism]] and [[dogmatism]]. [[Richard Popkin]] indicates that Gassendi was one of the first thinkers to formulate the modern "scientific outlook", of moderated scepticism and [[empiricism]]. He clashed with his contemporary [[Descartes]] on the possibility of certain knowledge. His best known intellectual project attempted to reconcile [[Epicureanism|Epicurean]] [[atomism]] with [[Christianity]]. | ||
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+ | ==See also== | ||
+ | * [[Epicurus]] | ||
+ | * [[Ontological pluralism]] | ||
+ | * [[List of Roman Catholic scientist-clerics]] | ||
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Pierre Gassendi (January 22, 1592 – October 24, 1655) was a French philosopher, priest, scientist, astronomer, and mathematician. With a church position in south-east France, he also spent much time in Paris, where he was a leader of a group of free-thinking intellectuals. He was also an active observational scientist, publishing the first data on the transit of Mercury in 1631. The lunar crater Gassendi is named after him.
He wrote numerous philosophical works, and some of the positions he worked out are considered significant, finding a way between scepticism and dogmatism. Richard Popkin indicates that Gassendi was one of the first thinkers to formulate the modern "scientific outlook", of moderated scepticism and empiricism. He clashed with his contemporary Descartes on the possibility of certain knowledge. His best known intellectual project attempted to reconcile Epicurean atomism with Christianity.
See also