The Cosmographer Nicholas of Cusa (1401-1464) and His Philosophical Game of the Sphere: The Dialogus de ludo globi

Horst, Thomas (2023): The Cosmographer Nicholas of Cusa (1401-1464) and His Philosophical Game of the Sphere: The Dialogus de ludo globi. In: Globe Studies, Vol. 68: pp. 87-105

Abstract

Active during the transition of the late Middle Ages to the Early Modern age in the German-Italian cultural sphere, the philosopher Nicholas of Cusa (Nicolaus Cusanus, 1401–1464), erudite humanist, prince-bishop of Brixen (Bressanone), cardinal and papal legate, concerned himself not only with theological but also scientific questions, including mathematics, astronomy and cartography, and in particular cosmography as well as the study of the globes. The St. Nikolaus-Hospital in Bernkastel-Kues that he founded holds in addition to several astronomical-astrological manuscripts two unique celestial globes and other related instruments acquired by Cusa in Nuremberg in September 1444. Even his literary oeuvre displays direct cosmographical references. Of outstanding importance for globe studies is the two-volume dialogue written in 1462/1463 entitled De ludo globi.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Publisher's Version
• Keywords: Astronomical Instruments; Celestial Globes; Nicholas of Cusa; Philosophical Game
• Faculties: History and Art History > Department of History > Methods of Historiography and Historiographical Studies of Media
• Subjects: 900 History and geography > 900 Geschichte; 900 History and geography > 910 Geography and travel
• ISSN: 1680-5356
• Language: English