Why Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543) Is Still Interesting? Nicolaus Copernicus’s 550th Birth Anniversary and 150th Anniversary of the Opening Meeting of the Academy of Arts and Sciences in Kraków

Abstract

The article is an extension of the plenary lecture delivered on February 16, 2023 in the Hall of the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences on the occasion of Nicolaus Copernicus’s 550th birth anniversary and the 150th anniversary of the first public meeting of the Academy of Arts and Sciences in Krakow.

An answer to the key question: “Why are we still interested in Nicolaus Copernicus?” is formulated. It concerns the multidimensional space of issues, including: man, society, culture (science, theology and religion, fine arts), ideas, concepts, time – space. And all of the above is discussed in changing historical contexts.

This subject is approached from the perspective of the methodology of historical sciences and the history of science, history, history and philosophy of science, history of ideas, scientific cosmology and general cultural cosmology, history of art and culture, history of theology and religion, history of memory, political and geopolitical history, sociology and cultural studies: the cultural role of great heroes / geniuses and collective work in culture, as well as the role of occasional celebrations and the figure of Copernicus as an “advertising brand”.

see the article on the SHS website