Abstract

Johannes Kepler, one of the most famous astronomers during the period of scientific revolution, illustrates a unique view on consonance in Harmonice mundi . First, Kepler rejects the Pythagoreans' symbolism of numbers that defines their concept of harmony and consonance. Instead, he defines consonance using geometrical figures that consist of concrete lengths , treating numbers only as the values of the lengths. For explaining the concept of consonance, Kepler underlines the function of human soul to recognize harmony. He classifies harmony into two types: "sensible" and "pure." Sensible harmony is realized by the human soul while comparing things that are perceived by sense . Pure harmony, on the other hand, functions as the archetype of sensible harmonies. It is an abstract mathematical idea, inherent in the human soul, and it certifies sensible harmonies as such. Moreover, this archetypal harmony is associated with God himself. Thus, Kepler hypothesizes on consonance based on his own metaphysics, which differs from the Pythagoreans' reflections on the subject