Entre a ciência, o sagrado e a magia: um estudo das ideias de Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680) sobre o Dilúvio universal e a seleção das espécies

Abstract

This work discusses aspects related to the universal Flood, described in Arca Noë in tres libros digesta published in 1675 by Jesuit priest Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680), focusing especially on his considerations on the selection of animals selected to be part of the Ark. The research shows the main ideas of the Jesuit about the construction of the Ark, regarding specially the construction site, the measures used for its manufacture, the layout of the cages, the shape of the vessel and the material used in. Kircher's explanations of the grand Flood were also analyzed, centered on the idea that the flooding waters not only fell in the form of rain, but emerged in a significant part from inside of the Earth. We researched, with special interest, the criteria that the Jesuit used to explain the selection of species that have embarked in the Ark and been saved, as well as their subsequent dispersion to allover the Earth. To justify his arguments, Kircher refers to ideas in erudite texts, as well as ancient and from his time. Even though it tends to a literal interpretation of the biblical episode, the Jesuit demonstrates, beyond his knowledge of natural philosophy, an allegorical vision of the Ark. This research shows that through the intertwining of different knowledge, concerning theology, natural philosophy, mathematics, and animal studies, Kircher defended that the biblical narrative of the universal Flood could be explained both by religion and by the science of his time