Middle Ages and Renaissance Reconciled in the Philosophical Thought of Nicolaus Copernicus

In summarizing the conducted research we may state that in the most general sense, Nicolaus Copernicus essentially was a systematically educated Scholastic and medieval philosopher, an open Scholastic mind of the late Middle Ages. Attempting to conduct a closer research on various impacts and inspirations which influenced his reflection allows to formulate the following general assessment: the philosophy of Copernicus is medieval in three quarters and Renaissance one in one quarter. In three quarters it is Scholastic and traditional while in one quarter – novel. Obviously, it was the novelty that seems decisive for the recognition and further gradual success of the Polish astronomer. Nonetheless, it was the traditional thought on which novelty developed in paving its way to the refashioned picture of the world. Therefore, we may assume that the physics of Copernicus is the modified Aristotelianism whereas the laws of the order and hierarchy he employs derive from the Christian Platonism and Pythagoreanism. Such estimation is crucial for establishing proportions in a debate with numerous predominating in literature, popular, one-sided views which resonate with misleading opinions and even propaganda.