Renaissance Platonism and the formation of modern science

Abstract

The article considers the revival of platonism in Renaissance and his influence on the formation of modern science, particularly in the field of cosmology. The main topic of this essay is the polemic discussion between Fludd and Kepler, which started in 1619. An important distinction between Fludd and Kepler lies in their different approach to mathematics and scientific methodology. Fludd conserves and uses qualitative method, based on hermetic and neoplatonic view of the universe. Kepler introduces measuring, quantitative and experimental method as a criterion of natural science. It was this approach which made possible the development of modern science, but author points out that Keplers epistemological break also derives from platonism and platonicaly understood mathematics as intentional structure of the universe.