[this web page last updated 23 October 2009]
Johannes Kepler, Optics: Paralipomena to Witelo and the Optical Part
of Astronomy
Translated by
William H. Donahue
The first English translation of Ad Vitellionem paralipomena, quibus
Astronomiae pars optica traditur (1604)
7x10", hardcover with dust jacket, 475 pages.
Complete and unabridged translation, notes, two indexes, bibliography.
Publication date 2000. |
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The Optics was a product of Kepler's most creative period. It began
as an attempt to give astronomical optics a solid foundation, but soon transcended
this narrow goal to become a complete reconstruction of the theory of light,
the physiology of vision, and the mathematics of refraction. The result is a
work of extraordinary breadth whose significance transcends most categories
into which it might be placed. It gives us precious insight into Kepler's thought
during this crucial period, an insight all the more valuable in that most of
his working papers from that time have been lost. Second, it is the culmination
of a long and rich tradition in the science of optics, in distinct contrast
with the new optical thought represented by Descartes---though Descartes built
on insights derived from Kepler's work. And third, it presents discoveries in
the physiology of vision, photometry, and the geometry of conic sections which
have become part of our intellectual heritage. Especially notable are Kepler's
discovery of the inverted retinal image, his theoretical grounding of the inverse-square
photometric law, and his insights into the relations between the various conic
sections.
Among the treasures the Optics contains are Kepler's theory
of the metaphysics of light and other quasi-material powers, a substantial
commentary on Aristotle's theory of light, a remarkable, though ultimately
unsuccessful, theory of refraction, and a fascinating speculation about
the half-hidden heliocentrism of Euclid's Optics. The sections on
parallax and atmospheric refraction are ancillary to the New Astronomy,
and are frequently referred to in that work.
Unlike many other scientific works of the first rank, the Optics
is for the most part sufficiently nontechnical to be accessible to nonspecialists.
At the same time, it is interesting enough to attract the attention of
the educated layman as well as scholars in a wide variety of fields.
The translation is accompanied by extensive footnotes (not end
notes). Nearly all the diagrams were drawn anew for this edition. The two
exceptions are reproductions of Kepler's original illustrations, used where
the sense of the text requires them. Kepler's original index has been retained,
supplemented by a second index prepared by the translator.
"In this book Donahue has performed service
of enormous value to Kepler scholars and historians of early optics. His
lucid translation of the difficult Latin of Kepler's great optical treatise
not only affords ready access to Kepler's optical achievement (for the
first time since Latin ceased to be the universal language of scholarship),
but also reveals the clarity, rigor, and persuasive power of Kepler's arguments."
---David C. Lindberg
Hilldale Professor and Chair
Department of History of Science
University of Wisconsin
Other works by Kepler
Johannes Kepler, Optics: Paralipomena to Witelo and the Optical Part
of Astronomy.
Translated by
William H. Donahue
7x10", hardcover with dust jacket, 475 pages.
Complete and unabridged translation, notes, two indexes, bibliography.
ISBN: 1-888009-12-8
Sewn cloth bound with dust jacket: List price $55.00
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