The Cosmology of Giordano Bruno (1548-1600)

Abstract

IRUNO died, despised and suffering, after eight years of agony. From that moment, his works have attracted interest, and he has long been recognised as an important figure in the development of modern thought. Nevertheless, few are familiar with the many and often bewildering pages of his writings. His Italian works have their place in the history of Italian literature. The Latin works in prose and verse are much more bulky and diffuse, though the few who grapple with them are rewarded by passages of great beauty and eloquence. Coming, in time, between COPERNICUS (1473-1543), whom he constantly cites, and GALILEO (1564-1642), who had considered his views, it would nevertheless be altogether misleading to regard BRUNO as developing the tradition of the one or as leading to the work of the other. If a predecessor be sought for BRUNO it must be NICOLAUs OF CUSA (1401-1464), while as a successor the most fitting is perhaps SPINOZA (1632-1677). BRUNO takes his place moreover in the long series of writers on the Plurality of Worlds following NICOLAUS OF CUSA and leading on to WILKINS (1614-1672), HUYGENS (1629-1695) and FONTENELLE (1657-1757). In the sixteen years of his freedom, BRUNO wandered over half Europe. At first welcomed by groups anxious to hear his teaching, his presence always led to embarrassment, and he was passed on to fresh patrons. It is remarkable that such a wanderer should have become so well-read. Paradoxically the two writers who most influenced his cosmological views were LUCRETIUS and NICOLAUS OF CUSA, who occupy opposite philosophical poles, LUCRETIUS denying the validity of theological or metaphysical thinking while NICOLAUS sought in his cosmology and even in his physical experiments a reinforcement of his theological views. BRUNO was neither astronomer nor theologian; but contemporary astronomical writings contributed to the cosmology which was the passionate faith of his life, and he was led by his cosmology to a new ethic and a new philosophy.