The Aristotelian Model, formulated by the Greek philosopher Aristotle around 350 BCE, offered a prevailing view of the cosmos for centuries.
Basic tenets:
Geocentric: The Earth was considered the fixed and immovable center of the universe.
Finite Universe: The universe was believed to be a finite sphere, with celestial bodies like stars fixed to a outermost shell.
Spherical Motion: Celestial bodies moved in perfect circles around the Earth, driven by celestial spheres
Natural Place: Each element (earth, air, fire, water) had its own “natural place” within the universe, with Earth naturally at the center and lighter elements like fire striving to reach their natural place at the outermost sphere.
Strengths:
The model provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the cosmos, explaining the observed motions of celestial bodies (at least qualitatively) and offering a hierarchical structure to the universe.
Weaknesses:
As astronomical observations became more precise, the model struggled to explain phenomena like the retrograde motion of planets. The reliance on perfect circular motion and the concept of “natural place” lacked explanatory power for more complex celestial movements.