John Wilkins (1614 - 1672), anglikanischer Geistlicher und ein Wegbereiter der Royal Society, gibt in seinen beiden populär-astronomischen Traktaten nicht nur eine Einführung in die Astronomie des frühen 17. Jahrhunderts, sondern auch einen Einblick in die weltanschauliche Bedeutung dieses Gegenstandes für seine Zeitgenossen. Die Texte sind Lehrstücke und Beispiele für die nicht-wissenschaftlichen Einflüsse, Interessen und Implikationen der Wissenschaftsentwicklung der Epoche. Die Rechtfertigung der empirischen Naturwissenschaften gegenüber dem Wortlaut der Bibel und die Hinwendung zur Physikotheologie sind dabei ebenso thematisch wie der alles durchdringende probabilistische Wahrheitsbegriff der ‚Neuen Wissenschaft’.
John Wilkins Bücher
John Wilkins war ein anglikanischer Geistlicher, Naturphilosoph und Autor, der als einer der Gründer der Royal Society gilt. Als Universalgelehrter trugen seine persönlichen Qualitäten maßgeblich zur Gründung wissenschaftlicher Gesellschaften auf unparteiischer Basis und zur Überbrückung politischer Gräben in einer turbulenten Zeit bei. Er ist besonders bekannt für seine Vorschläge zu einer universellen Sprache und einem integrierten Maßsystem, die seinen fortschrittlichen Ansatz in Bezug auf Wissen und Kommunikation widerspiegeln. Wilkins' Engagement für Inklusivität und seine Fähigkeit, Verständnis zwischen verschiedenen Gruppen zu fördern, unterstreichen seinen bedeutenden, wenn auch vielleicht nicht wissenschaftlich bahnbrechenden Beitrag zum intellektuellen Leben.






An Imperial Affair, by award-winning author John Rickard, takes us into the marriage of an Australian couple during a time when private lives were properly private but divorce a scandal. It shines a light on the family values and sexual dynamics of this period, conditioned as they were by the imperial relationship and cultural dependence on ‘the mother country’, which inevitably helped shape hopes, fears and desires. This is also the beautifully told story of the writer’s sensitive and courageous quest to understand his parents, Philip and Pearl, and the world he came from and grew up in, its fragile reality filtered through the prism of memory. Part biography, part autobiography, part social history, An Imperial Affair is also a complex, quintessentially Australian meditation on the nature of love.
Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
- 200 Seiten
- 7 Lesestunden
Celebrate the engine that changed the motorcycle world. Harley-Davidson Knucklehead tells the entire Knucklehead story—accompanied by modern and period photography—from the very first overhead-valve V-twin Harley produced for the public through the post-war models, continuing right up until today, when aftermarket manufacturers reproduce complete Knucklehead crate engines because of its continuing popularity.Motorcycle technology lagged far behind automotive technology since the earliest days of the internal-combustion engine. All that changed in 1936 when Harley-Davidson introduced the Model EL. For the first time ever, a company was manufacturing a high-performance overhead-valve engine for the masses .And what an engine it was—in addition to bringing state-of-the-art technology to the motorcycling world— a work of art . Because of the shape of its rocker covers, the engine was given a nickname to match its the Knucklehead. The technology used in this engine was so advanced that it laid the foundation for every future Harley-Davidson motorcycle, including the current models built in the 21st century. To this day, every cruiser-style motorcycle adheres to the shape of that original Knucklehead.
The book provides a critical analysis of the 2010 English translation of the Roman Missal, arguing that it does not fulfill the Second Vatican Council's goal of fostering full participation among priests and congregants. Gerald O'Collins, SJ, examines the principles outlined in the Vatican instruction Liturgiam Authenticam and highlights their shortcomings. Additionally, the work features a chapter by John Wilkins, contributing further insights into the issues surrounding liturgical language and accessibility in worship.
The Making of Civilization
History Discovered Through Archaeology
Two archaeologists trace the development of ancient civilizations and discuss how and why these civilizations collapsed
Of the Principles and Duties of Natural Religion: Two Books
- 418 Seiten
- 15 Lesestunden
What is the nature of God? How should we live our lives? These are the questions that John Wilkins addresses in this thought-provoking work. Drawing on his vast knowledge of philosophy, theology, and science, Wilkins presents a compelling vision of natural religion that is both enlightening and practical. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of faith and reason.