ALBERT THE GREAT AS SCIENTIST

• Authors: Banas J.
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

In the paper the author provides a brief sketch of Albert the Great as a scientist. By quoting passages from his works he shows that Albert the Great had a well-elaborated understanding of science. It is argued that in some aspects Albert was not too far from modern criteria that science and its methodology should meet. Accepting Aristotelian model of science, Albert stressed the need for experience and repeated observation in scientific research. While valuating authority, he examined carefully what it was stating and was not afraid to criticize even such an important authority as Aristotle if his claims contradicted Albert's observations. Although science was in close relation with theology, it wasn't limited in its research and on the methodological level Albert was well aware of the need for their mutual independence. He was not afraid of providing science with freedom of inquiry, because he knew that in principle science and theology, if both sound, couldn't contradict itself, because there is just one truth known from their different perspectives. The article also introduces Albert's understanding of and major contributions to mineralogy, astronomy, astrology, alchemy and other disciplines that were considered scientific in his time.

Keywords

EN

ALBER THE GREAT; SCIENCE AND THEOLOGY; SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH; UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE

• Publisher: Institute of Philosophy of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and Institute of Philosophy of Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic
• Journal: Organon F. medzinárodný časopis pre analytickú filozofiu
• Year: 2006
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 16-31
• Document type: ARTICLE

Contributors

author

Banas J.

• J. Banas, Filozofická fakulta Katolickej university v Ruzomberku, Hrabovská cesta 1/1652, 034 01 Ruzomberok, Slovak Republic

Identifiers

CEJSH db identifier

06SKAAAA01242826