Johannes Kepler: A New Astronomy, Astrological Harmonies and Living Creatures

Abstract

Johannes Kepler is a key figure in both the histories of astrology and the extraterrestrial life debate. To date, however, historians have not appreciated the intimate connection between the two concepts in Kepler’s thought. This chapter presents a thorough reconstruction of Kepler’s astrological theories and an analysis of his various writings on pluralist themes, attempting to establish exactly what fuelled his commitment to the existence of extraterrestrial life and how it fitted into his highly theological cosmos. As Gilbert’s had done, Kepler’s astrological theories expanded the operation of celestial influence to centres other than the earth, and his teleological understanding of celestial influence necessitated the existence of observers (i.e. living creatures) at those centres.