Cartesian discourse on the rainbow versus Conimbricense treatise on the celestial arch

Abstract

In this article we compare the exposition of two famous texts contemplated in the history of philosophy that deal mainly with the explanation of the meteorological phenomenon of the rainbow. The texts are the Fifth Treatise entitled From the Rainbow or Arcoceleste of the Meteorological Commentaries, published in 1593 by the Jesuit Masters Conimbricenses and Discourse VIII entitled About the Rainbow from the Meteoros de Descartes, published in 1637. The pertinence of the comparison between the works mentioned is justified by a vast ban on comments on the medieval origins of Cartesian science and by Descartes himself declaring the initiative to compare both philosophical perspectives.

Keywords: Meteorology; Rainbow.

Ancient and medieval authors: Conimbricenses; Descartes.

http://dx.doi.org/10.21747/21836884/med37a9