Frederik Bakker - Radboud University Nijmegen
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Frederik Bakker
Radboud University Nijmegen
Center for the History of Philosophy and Science
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Books by Frederik Bakker
Space, Imagination and the Cosmos from Antiquity to the Early Modern Period
by
Frederik Bakker
Delphine Bellis
, and
Carla Rita Palmerino
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science 48
, 2018
This volume provides a much needed, historically accurate narrative of the development of theorie...
more
This volume provides a much needed, historically accurate narrative of the development of theories of space up to the beginning of the eighteenth century. It studies conceptions of space that were implicitly or explicitly entailed by ancient, medieval and early modern representations of the cosmos. The authors reassess Alexandre Koyré’s groundbreaking work From the Closed World to the Infinite Universe (1957) and they trace the permanence of arguments to be found throughout the Middle Ages and beyond. By adopting a long timescale, this book sheds new light on the continuity between various cosmological representations and their impact on the ontology and epistemology of space.
Readers may explore the work of a variety of authors including Aristotle, Epicurus, Henry of Ghent, John Duns Scotus, John Wyclif, Peter Auriol, Nicholas Bonet, Francisco Suárez, Francesco Patrizi, Giordano Bruno, Libert Froidmont, Marin Mersenne, Pierre Gassendi, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Samuel Clarke. We see how reflections on space, imagination and the cosmos were the product of a plurality of philosophical traditions that found themselves confronted with, and enriched by, various scientific and theological challenges which induced multiple conceptual adaptations and innovations.
This volume is a useful resource for historians of philosophy, those with an interest in the history of science, and particularly those seeking to understand the historical background of the philosophy of space.
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Publisher disclaims responsibility for potential inaccuracies and legal implications.
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Epicurean Meteorology: Sources, Method, Scope and Organization
Philosophia Antiqua 142
, Jun 27, 2016
In Epicurean Meteorology Frederik Bakker discusses the meteorology (incl. astronomy) as laid out ...
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In Epicurean Meteorology Frederik Bakker discusses the meteorology (incl. astronomy) as laid out by Epicurus (341-270 BCE) and Lucretius (1st century BCE). Although in scope and organization their ideas are clearly rooted in the Peripatetic tradition, their meteorology sets itself apart from this tradition by its systematic use of multiple explanations and its sole reliance on sensory evidence as opposed to mathematics and other axiomatic principles.
Through a thorough investigation of the available evidence Bakker offers an updated and qualified account of Epicurean meteorology, arguing against Theophrastus’ authorship of the Syriac meteorology, highlighting the originality of Lucretius’ treatment of mirabilia, and refuting the oft-repeated claim that the Epicureans held the earth to be flat.
[Reviews: Francesco Verde in BMCR 2017.06.38; Federico Corsi in Syzetesis 4.1 (2017), 159-167; Liba Taub in Classical Review 68.1 (2018), 41-42; Christopher Gill in Phronesis 63.2 (2018), 211-212; Julie Giovacchini in Revue philosophique de Louvain 116.1 (2018), 130-132; Ada Bronowski in Classical Philology 114.2 (2019), 301-305.]
Chapters by Frederik Bakker
Gassendi’s Interpretation of Epicurus’ Method of Multiple Explanations: Between Scepticism and Probabilism
F.G. Masi, P.M. Morel and F. Verde (eds.), Epicureanism and Scientific Debates. Antiquity and Late Reception – Vol. I: Language, Medicine, Meteorology
, 2023
The End of Epicurean Infinity: Critical Reflections on the Epicurean Infinite Universe
F.A. Bakker, D.J. Bellis & C.R. Palmerino (eds.), Space, Imagination and the Cosmos from Antiquity to the Early Modern Period
, 2018
In contrast to other ancient philosophers, Epicurus and his followers famously maintained the inf...
more
In contrast to other ancient philosophers, Epicurus and his followers famously maintained the infinity of matter, and consequently of worlds. This was inferred from the infinity of space, because they believed that a limited amount of matter would inevitably be scattered through infinite space, and hence be unable to meet and form stable compounds. By contrast, the Stoics claimed that there was only a finite amount of matter in infinite space, which stayed together because of a general centripetal tendency. The Roman Epicurean poet Lucretius tried to defend the Epicurean conception of infinity against this Stoic alternative view, but not very convincingly. One might suspect, therefore, that the Epicureans’ adherence to the infinity of matter was not so much dictated by physical arguments as it was motivated by other, mostly theological and ethical, concerns. More specifically, the infinity of atoms and worlds was used as a premise in several arguments against divine intervention in the universe. The infinity of worlds was claimed to rule out divine intervention directly, while the infinity of atoms lent plausibility to the chance formation of worlds. Moreover, the infinity of atoms and worlds was used to ensure the truth of multiple explanations, which was presented by Epicurus as the only way to ward off divine intervention in the realm of celestial phenomena. However, it will be argued that in all of these arguments the infinity of matter is either unnecessary or insufficient for reaching the desired conclusion.
Papers by Frederik Bakker
Introduction: Continental Interpretations of Hellenistic Thought
by
Elena Nicoli
and
Frederik Bakker
Symposium
, 2020
Cette introduction présente et contextualise les articles publiés dans la section spéciale dont l...
more
Cette introduction présente et contextualise les articles publiés dans la section spéciale dont le but est d’analyser l’interprétation de la pensée hellénistique chez les philosophes continentaux très influents tels que : Agamben, Arendt, Blumenberg, Foucault, Heidegger et Stiegler. Les articles prêtent une attention particulière à trois directions de recherche. Ils examinent tout d’abord l’influence de la pensée hellénistique sur ces auteurs et la façon dont ils ont interprété, utilisé et mésinterprété l’héritage des philosophies hellé-nistiques. Deuxièmement, les articles analysent les hypothèses in-terprétatives et les préjugés qui ont caractérisé ces interprétations. Enfin, ils nous permettent de comprendre plus clairement pourquoi plusieurs philosophes continentaux se sont intéressés à la philosophie ancienne. Les rédacteurs invités résument les conclusions pro-visoires de cette section spéciale en soulignant que les interprétations continentales de la pensée hellénistique repr...
The End of Epicurean Infinity: Critical Reflections on the Epicurean Infinite Universe
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science
, 2018
In contrast to other ancient philosophers, Epicurus and his followers famously maintained the inf...
more
In contrast to other ancient philosophers, Epicurus and his followers famously maintained the infinity of matter, and consequently of worlds. This was inferred from the infinity of space, because they believed that a limited amount of matter would inevitably be scattered through infinite space, and hence be unable to meet and form stable compounds. By contrast, the Stoics claimed that there was only a finite amount of matter in infinite space, which stayed together because of a general centripetal tendency. The Roman Epicurean poet Lucretius tried to defend the Epicurean conception of infinity against this Stoic alternative view, but not very convincingly. One might suspect, therefore, that the Epicureans’ adherence to the infinity of matter was not so much dictated by physical arguments as it was motivated by other, mostly theological and ethical, concerns. More specifically, the infinity of atoms and worlds was used as a premise in several arguments against divine intervention in ...
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Critique of infinity: the necessity of infinite matter for conclusions on divine governance is questioned.
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An Alternative Reconstruction of Diogenes of Oinoanda, Fr. 21 III 14 -IV 14 14
Epigraphica Anatolica
, 2021
Fragment 21 (= NF 40 / YF 097) of the Epicurean inscription of Diogenes of Oinoanda continues the...
more
Fragment 21 (= NF 40 / YF 097) of the Epicurean inscription of Diogenes of Oinoanda continues the argument of the so-called Theological Physics-Sequence (= NF 167 + NF 126 + NF 127 + fr. 20 + NF 182, henceforth: Theol.). In Theol. XIV, Diogenes sets out to investigate whether god designed everything for the sake of human beings. The discussion is divided into two parts: the design of the world and the design of human beings themselves. The part dealing with the world starts in Theol. XIV and continues in fr. 21. Only at the end of column III, the discussion moves on to the human condition, which is continued in column IV. Unfortunately, the text of this argument is only partially perserved, because the block which contained the right-hand half of column IV has not been found. The reconstruction of this column by Martin Ferguson Smith (Diogenes of Oinoanda. The Epicurean Inscription, Naples: Bibliopolis 1993, pp. 182-184 and 377) permits us to understand the general argument. Diogenes seems to have pointed out the inconsistency of the Stoics, who claim, on the one hand, that human beings are privileged above all other animals, but, on the other hand, that almost all people are miserable on account of their foolishness. Although Smith’s reconstruction is generally on the right track, many of its details are open to discussion. This paper offers a discussion and an alternative reconstruction of the column, that makes better use of the available spaces and is more regular in terms of grammar and idiom. It suggests, moreover, that Diogenes, in criticizing the Stoics, mimicked the Stoics’ own diction.
Motion to the Center or Motion to the Whole? Plutarch’s Views on Gravity and Their Influence on Galileo
Isis
, 2020
While it is well known that Plutarch’s De facie in orbe lunae was a major source of inspiration f...
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While it is well known that Plutarch’s De facie in orbe lunae was a major source of inspiration for Galileo’s Sidereus nuncius, its influence on Galileo’s Dialogo sopra i due massimi sistemi del mondo, and especially on Galileo’s views on gravity, has not been sufficiently explored. The present article offers the first systematic comparison of Plutarch’s and Galileo’s accounts of gravity, by focusing on the following four themes: the thought experiment of a stone falling in a tunnel passing through the center of the earth; the account of gravity as a tendency to unite with the whole; the view that the moon is a separate center of attraction; and the impossibility of attraction by an incorporeal point. We analyze the role that these themes play in De facie and in the Dialogo, trying to understand how Galileo appropriated, reworked, and expanded upon, Plutarch’s views.
Vergilius Astronomiae Ignarus? A Vindication of Virgil’s Astronomical Knowledge in Georgics 1.231-258 (final draft version)
Mnemosyne
, Jun 21, 2019
Both in antiquity and today Virgil is sometimes accused of ignorance in astronomy. This paper arg...
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Both in antiquity and today Virgil is sometimes accused of ignorance in astronomy. This paper argues that, on the contrary, Virgil’s treatment of astronomical topics in Georgics 1.231-258 shows that he was quite familiar with the subject, and was able (when he wished to) to combine information from different sources (Aratus, Eratosthenes and other, unidentified ones) into a sensible and harmonious whole. On the other hand, the omission of essential steps between the various parts of his account, and the deliberate confusion of science and myth show us that his ultimate aim was not to inform the ignorant but to amuse and surprise readers who were just as familiar with astronomy as Virgil himself.
(Please refer to the published version)
De (on)redelijkheid van dieren
Hermeneus: Tijdschrift voor Antieke Cultuur
, Nov 2017
Survey of the views of several ancient philosophers and philosophical schools (Aristotle, Stoics,...
more
Survey of the views of several ancient philosophers and philosophical schools (Aristotle, Stoics, Epicurus, Plato) concerning the rationality or irrationality of animals. (in Dutch)
Attila’s ‘Bellum Gallicum’: Caesars De bello Gallico als model voor vv.1-95 van het Waltharius-epos
Lampas
, Jun 2014
The medieval Latin poem ‘Waltharius’ is a Germanic saga transformed into a traditional Latin epic...
more
The medieval Latin poem ‘Waltharius’ is a Germanic saga transformed into a traditional Latin epic. This transformation has been effected, not just by the use of Latin hexameters, but also by the appropriation of complete lines and half-lines from ancient Latin epics, first and foremost Virgil’s Aeneid. In contrast, the opening of the Waltharius is curiously unepic. Instead of indicating the general theme and invoking a divinity, as the ancient poets did, our poet opens with an ethno-geographic overview that would not be out of place in a scientific or historical treatise. In this paper I will argue that the ethno-geographic opening of the Waltharius, together with the subsequent description of Attila’s conquest of Gaul, have been modelled on Caesar’s De bello Gallico, with Attila playing the parts of Orgetorix and Caesar himself. (in Dutch)
Aëtius, Achilles, Epicurus and Lucretius on the Phases and Eclipses of the Moon (final draft version)
Mnemosyne
, Nov 2013
Aëtius 2.29 claims to be reporting ancient views on lunar eclipses. However, several of its lemma...
more
Aëtius 2.29 claims to be reporting ancient views on lunar eclipses. However, several of its lemmas appear instead to be dealing with the phases of the moon. In this paper I argue that Aëtius' chapter must be a conflation of two, originally separate, chapters which dealt with the phases and eclipses of the moon respectively. The argument is supported by internal evidence from Aëtius himself, as well as external evidence from parallel reports in Achilles' Isagoge, Epicurus' Letter to Pythocles, and Lucretius.
(Please refer to the published version)
Book Reviews by Frederik Bakker
Review of Francesco Verde (ed.), Epicuro, Epistola a Pitocle. In collaborazione con Mauro Tulli, Dino De Sanctis, Francesca G. Masi, Baden-Baden: Academia, 2022 (Diotima. Studies in Greek Philology, volume 7), 329 p., ISBN 978-3-98572-022-4
Philosophie antique
, 2023
Unpublished review of Jacqueline Feke, Ptolemy's Philosophy
UNPUBLISHED
, Jan 2020
Review of Jürgen Hammerstaedt, Pierre-Marie Morel, Refik Güremen (eds.), Diogenes of Oinoanda: Epicureanism and Philosophical Debates / Diogène d’Œnoanda: Épicurisme et controverses
Syzetesis
, Jul 2018
Charles Hupperts, Platoonse Liefde: het Symposium en de Phaedrus van Plato
Hermeneus: Tijdschrift voor Antieke Cultuur
, Sep 2016
Review of Charles Hupperts' Dutch translation of Plato's Symposium and Phaedrus, with introductio...
more
Review of Charles Hupperts' Dutch translation of Plato's Symposium and Phaedrus, with introduction and notes. (in Dutch)
Review of Francesco Montarese, Lucretius and his Sources: A Study of Lucretius, De rerum natura I 635-920. Sozomena, 12. Berlin; Boston: De Gruyter, 2012. Pp. xi, 314. ISBN 9783110194524. $126.00.
Bryn Mawr Classical Review
, May 2013
PhD and Master theses by Frederik Bakker
Three Studies in Epicurean Cosmology. PhD thesis Utrecht University 2010
[For an updated version of this thesis, see Frederik A. Bakker, Epicurean Meteorology: Sources, M...
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[For an updated version of this thesis, see Frederik A. Bakker, Epicurean Meteorology: Sources, Method, Scope and Organization, Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2016]
The three studies that make up this work each deal with another facet or subdiscipline of Epicurean cosmology. The first study is devoted to Epicurus’ method of multiple explanations, the second study compares the meteorological sections of Epicurus' Letter to Pythocles and Lucretius' De rerum natura with other ancient meteorological accounts as regards the range and order of subjects, and the third study investigates what shape the Epicureans assigned to the earth.
De vorm van de aarde bij Lucretius [The shape of the earth in Lucretius]. MA thesis University of Amsterdam 2001
[For an updated version of this thesis, see chapter 4 of my 2016 monograph "Epicurean Meteorology"]
Chaotische advectie in een ondiep modelmeer onder invloed van wind en doorstroming [Chaotic advection in a shallow model lake under the influence of wind and flow]. MSc thesis Delft University of Technology 1995
"Om te onderzoeken welke invloed chaotische advectie kan hebben op een doorgaande stroming is een...
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"Om te onderzoeken welke invloed chaotische advectie kan hebben op een doorgaande stroming is een tweedimensionaal horizontaal computermodel gemaakt met de naam Xadvec. Het model beschrijft een ondiep rond meer waarin door de wind en door een constant doorstromend debiet een stroming wordt opgewekt. De windrichting varieert periodiek met de tijd. Het computermodel berekent voor opeenvolgende tijdstippen de posities van deeltjes die in het meer zijn losgelaten en bepaalt hun verblijftijd. Er wordt gebruik gemaakt van het numerieke schema van Runge-Kutta. Twee verschillende tijdstappen worden gebruikt; een kleinere tijdstap voor een gebied dichtbij het instroom- of het uitstroompunt en een grotere tijdstap voor de rest van het meer. Binnenkomst van deeltjes via het instroompunt wordt gesimuleerd door ze in een (zeer kleine) halve kring rond het instroompunt te plaatsen.
Met dit model kan een grote verscheidenheid aan stromingen worden beschreven. Uit oogpunt van chaos zijn alleen stromingen waarin neren optreden interessant. Na een inventarisatie van de verschillende stroomtypen, wordt één stromingsgeval uitgekozen voor verder onderzoek. Bij deze stroming wringt de doorgaande stroming zich tussen twee grote neren door. Aan de oevers bevinden zich twee stabiele en twee instabiele stuwpunten. Bij periodieke variatie van de windrichting in deze stroming blijken stabiele en instabiele variëteiten elkaar te snijden, hetgeen chaotische advectie impliceert. Poincaré-secties vertonen de karakteristieke structuur die reeds uit eerdere studies bekend was: rondom elliptische periodieke punten met periode één bevinden zich eilanden, waarin de beweging ordelijk is, terwijl daarbuiten, nabij de separatrices, chaotisch deeltjesbanen voorkomen. Door het ontbreken van uitwisseling tussen de eilanden en het chaotische gebied kan patchiness optreden. Deeltjes die ter plaatse van de eilanden worden geloosd blijven daar gevangen. Bij een instantane lozing in het instroompunt stromen de deeltjes uit in een aantal opeenvolgende golven met een herhalingstijd die overeenkomt met de omwentelingsperiode van de neren. Als de windrichtingsperiode groter wordt dan tweemaal de verblijftijd (bij de dan heersende stroomparameters), treden er weer ordelijke deeltjesbanen op, ook al is het stroomregime volgens alle andere criteria chaotisch, omdat dan alle deeltjes zullen zijn uitgestroomd voordat de wind eenmaal van richting is veranderd.
Ook door louter dispersie, zonder chaos, kunnen er afzonderlijke golven ontstaan in de verblijftijdsdichtheidverdeling. De secundaire golven blijven dan echter maar klein en lopen al snel in elkaar over. Bij combinatie van chaos en dispersie ziet men dat bij kortere perioden de dispersie overheerst als verspreidingsmechanisme, maar bij langere perioden de chaotische advectie."
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