Which phrases in this excerpt from Robert Stawell Ball's Great Astronomers convey a commendable tone toward Ptolemy’s work?
he name, Ptolemy, appears to have been a common one in Egypt in those days. The time at which he lived is fixed by the fact that his first recorded observation was made in 127 AD, and his last in 151 AD. When we add that he seems to have lived in or near Alexandria, or to use his own words, "on the parallel of Alexandria," we have said everything that can be said so far as his individuality is concerned.
Ptolemy is, without doubt, the greatest figure in ancient astronomy. He gathered up the wisdom of the philosophers who had preceded him. He incorporated this with the results of his own observations, and illumined it with his theories. His speculations, even when they were, as we now know, quite erroneous, had such an astonishing verisimilitude to the actual facts of nature that they commanded universal assent. Even in these modern days we not infrequently find lovers of paradox who maintain that Ptolemy's doctrines not only seem true, but actually are true.
A.) so far as his individuality is concerned
B.) greatest figure in ancient astronomy
C.) gathered up the wisdom
D.) illumined it with his theories
E.) astonishing verisimilitude to the actual facts
Answer:
B. "greatest figure in ancient in astronomy"
C. "he gathered up the wisdom"
D. "illumined it with his theories"
E. "astonishing verisimilitude to the actual act"
Explanation:
The author acknowledges Ptolemy's work and contributions to astronomy, although some of his works and theories were later found to be wrong.
He calls him the greatest figure in ancient astronomy and says that he gathered up wisdom, brought light with his theories, and helped advance astronomy. He believes that even if some of the theories were wrong, they were similar to true facts.
