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Scarcity of scientific data, a real interest in the physical world, and the need to validate the scriptures encouraged seventh-century Irish scholars toward critical reflection on scientific matters. This volume looks at the Irish contribution to the development of western thought in the early middle ages.
List of contents
Creation - conclusions; the elements - conclusions; the heaven of heavens - conclusions; the supercelestial waters - conclusions; the firmament - general considerations on the shape and structure of the sky, conclusions, the heavenly bodies - the stars and constellations, the planets, the great luminaries, conclusions, appendix 1 - the star of Bethlehem and astrology, appendix 2 - the animation of the luminaries; the fiery space; the two layers of air - the upper layer, the lower layer, conclusions, meteorological phenomena, conclusions; the sea - the nature of water - sweet or salt?, conclusions, the great abyss, tides, the tides and the moon, conclusions, appendix - sea-weed ashes and salt water; the earth - paradise, the shape of the earth, divisions of the inhabited world, geographical data, are there inhabitants under the earth?, general considerations, conclusions; hell and the purgatorial fire; overview.
