Difference between revisions of "Immanuel Velikovsky"
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'''Immanuel Velikovsky''' (1895-1979) was a Russian-born American [[Jewish]] trained [[psychiatrist]] and [[historian]],<ref>[http://diglib.princeton.edu/ead/getEad?id=ark:/88435/v692t621n Immanuel Velikovsky Papers], 1920-1996. At Princeton University</ref> who in the 1950s proposed a radical new interpretation of [[ancient history]] and the evolution of the [[solar system]], based on mythological accounts, ancient traditions and histories, including the [[Bible]] and other religious and sacred texts.<ref>"[http://www.velikovsky.info/Immanuel_Velikovsky Immanuel Velikovsky]" at The Velikovsky Encyclopedia</ref> | '''Immanuel Velikovsky''' (1895-1979) was a Russian-born American [[Jewish]] trained [[psychiatrist]] and [[historian]],<ref>[http://diglib.princeton.edu/ead/getEad?id=ark:/88435/v692t621n Immanuel Velikovsky Papers], 1920-1996. At Princeton University</ref> who in the 1950s proposed a radical new interpretation of [[ancient history]] and the evolution of the [[solar system]], based on mythological accounts, ancient traditions and histories, including the [[Bible]] and other religious and sacred texts.<ref>"[http://www.velikovsky.info/Immanuel_Velikovsky Immanuel Velikovsky]" at The Velikovsky Encyclopedia</ref> | ||
| − | In particular, he hypothesised that the planet [[Venus]] was ejected from [[Jupiter]] around 1450 BC, and in a comet-like form, careered around the solar system disrupting the orbits of both [[Mars]] and [[Earth]] before settling into its present orbit.<ref>"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worlds_in_Collision Worlds in Collision]" at Wikipedia</ref> | + | In particular, he hypothesised that the planet [[Venus]] was ejected from [[Jupiter]] around 1450 BC, and in a comet-like form, careered around the solar system disrupting the orbits of both [[Mars]] and [[Earth]] before settling into its present orbit.<ref>"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worlds_in_Collision Worlds in Collision]" at Wikipedia</ref> The resulting cosmic catastrophes, he believed, were described in various ancient and biblical texts, including for example, the parting of the [[Red Sea]] and the Sun standing still.<ref>Velikovsky, Immanuel (1950). ''Worlds in Collision'', Macmillan. ISBN 1-199-84874-3.</ref> To accompany his astronomical theories he devised a totally new chronology for [[Ancient Egypt]], moving the end of the Middle Kingdom to 1450 BC and making it coincide with the [[Exodus]]. |
Some problems with his theory include the fact that Velikovsky offered no mechanism to explain how Jupiter could have expelled Venus without disrupting the complex system of rings and moons, where the energy for such a massive expulsion came from, and why a gas planet like Jupiter would expel a rocky planet like Venus. | Some problems with his theory include the fact that Velikovsky offered no mechanism to explain how Jupiter could have expelled Venus without disrupting the complex system of rings and moons, where the energy for such a massive expulsion came from, and why a gas planet like Jupiter would expel a rocky planet like Venus. | ||
Revision as of 09:33, February 3, 2009
Immanuel Velikovsky (1895-1979) was a Russian-born American Jewish trained psychiatrist and historian,[1] who in the 1950s proposed a radical new interpretation of ancient history and the evolution of the solar system, based on mythological accounts, ancient traditions and histories, including the Bible and other religious and sacred texts.[2]
In particular, he hypothesised that the planet Venus was ejected from Jupiter around 1450 BC, and in a comet-like form, careered around the solar system disrupting the orbits of both Mars and Earth before settling into its present orbit.[3] The resulting cosmic catastrophes, he believed, were described in various ancient and biblical texts, including for example, the parting of the Red Sea and the Sun standing still.[4] To accompany his astronomical theories he devised a totally new chronology for Ancient Egypt, moving the end of the Middle Kingdom to 1450 BC and making it coincide with the Exodus.
Some problems with his theory include the fact that Velikovsky offered no mechanism to explain how Jupiter could have expelled Venus without disrupting the complex system of rings and moons, where the energy for such a massive expulsion came from, and why a gas planet like Jupiter would expel a rocky planet like Venus.
References
- ↑ Immanuel Velikovsky Papers, 1920-1996. At Princeton University
- ↑ "Immanuel Velikovsky" at The Velikovsky Encyclopedia
- ↑ "Worlds in Collision" at Wikipedia
- ↑ Velikovsky, Immanuel (1950). Worlds in Collision, Macmillan. ISBN 1-199-84874-3.