Copernicus’ Rhetoric: Arguments for Heliocentrism in the Early 16th Century

Abstract

It is commonly acknowledged that Copernicus and his publications were pivotal in initiating the scientific revolution, an era marked by continuous innovation and revolutionary ideas in science and natural philosophy. However, Copernicus also brought forward another revolution, using rhetoric in science as a powerful tool to persuade a skeptical public. Both natural sciences and philosophy have prided themselves on a rigorous and objective approach to acquiring knowledge about nature. This ideal scientific method has been a cornerstone of scientific inquiry for centuries. However, ironically, scientific publications are considered literature and contain distinctive rhetoric that persuades readers beyond logical reasoning and experimentation. Two of Copernicus’ works, On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres (De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium) and Little Commentary (Commentariolus), are distinguished examples of such a phenomenon. By investigating the application and effect of rhetoric in Copernicus’ works, one can gain insights into the persuasive aspects of scientific communication while highlighting the sociocultural obstacles Copernicus faced during his time.