Fun Trivia : Plato

Structure Sub-topic of: Scientists & Inventors Quizzes Interesting Questions, Facts and Information There are a total of 5 general entries. Special Topics Plato: A Real Wise Guy Plato the Scientist?

Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information

Plato

Which student of Plato developed the system of concentric spheres that became the epicycles of the Ptolemaic astronomical system?

The Disciples of Plato


Eudoxus. Eudoxus was born on the Cnidus Peninsula along the Ionian coast of Asia Minor. Working off of Plato's notion that the solar system was geocentric, he developed the system mentioned above. He was a great influence on both Ptolemy and Euclid.



Aside from developing the system of concentric spheres upon which the epicyclic Ptolemaic arrangement of the solar system was based, what other remarkable achievement was made by this great follower of Plato?

The Disciples of Plato


He estimated the solar year to be 365 days and six hours long. Unfortunately, Eudoxus, as great a mathematician as he was, could not make the breakthrough that would have helped him to surmise that the solar system was heliocentric. Hence, the Ptolemaic geocentric tradition passed down via Plato.



A pupil of Plato's great student, who developed the system of concentric spheres borrowed by Ptolemy, was this man who advanced the system of epicycles, adding an additional seven, laying the final groundwork for the system adopted by Aristotle and Ptolemy. Who was he?

The Disciples of Plato


Callipus. Callipus was a good friend to Aristotle, and modified the theories of Eudoxus to the point where they were adopted by Aristotle. The very complex system of spheres and epicycles was therefore developed for Aristotle to pass on down the line to Ptolemy.



Which Platonic disciple suggested that the Earth turns on its axis every 24 hours and that the solar system might be heliocentric?

The Disciples of Plato


Heracleides. The Heracleidean position, that the solar system might be heliocentric, was eventually adopted by Aristarchus. Heracleides at least knew for certain that both Mercury and Venus revolved around the sun. Unfortunately, the views of the Platonic/Aristotilean positions won out over Aristarchan theory.



Another individual from the Platonic school, he initiated the study of conic sections -- the hyperbola, the parabola and the ellipse. Who was he?

The Disciples of Plato


Menaechmus. Menaechmus, like Callipus, was a pupil of Eudoxus. He was the true innovator, developing his theory about the several conic sections, all of which could be cut from a cone. The work of Menaechmus was carried on and expanded by Apollonius of Perga several centuries later. Okay...I hope this was a mind-expanding quiz, despite its brevity. Thank you for playing along!