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Entre o Norte Geográfico e o Norte Magnético no Século XVI
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A presente dissertação analisa a contribuição de D. João de Castro (1500–1548) para o desenvolvimento da ciência náutica portuguesa no século XVI, com especial foco nas suas observações sobre o magnetismo terrestre e no valor técnico-científico dos seus roteiros. Partindo de uma contextualização do saber náutico da época, o estudo procura compreender em que medida os trabalhos de D. João de Castro, realizados entre 1538 e 1541, representam uma viragem metodológica na observação empírica e na sistematização de dados em contexto de navegação.
A investigação estrutura-se em cinco capítulos. O primeiro examina os fundamentos e instrumentos da ciência náutica portuguesa, enquanto o segundo explora os conceitos de declinação magnética e magnetismo terrestre. O terceiro capítulo centra-se na figura de D. João de Castro, traçando a sua formação, itinerário e principais observações magnéticas. O quarto capítulo analisa o impacto dos seus roteiros na prática náutica e cartográfica da época, destacando o seu contributo para a correção de erros e a introdução de procedimentos mais rigorosos. O quinto capítulo constitui uma síntese crítica dos resultados, destacando os obstáculos à difusão das suas ideias e a sua receção na história da ciência.
Com base na análise detalhada dos seus textos e das fontes posteriores, defende-se que D. João de Castro representa uma figura central da transição entre a náutica empírica tradicional e uma abordagem mais experimental e sistemática. Os seus roteiros, enquanto instrumentos operacionais, científicos e pedagógicos, refletem um modelo de observação orientado por princípios de medição, comparação e crítica. Apesar de diversos obstáculos à sua receção imediata, o legado científico de D. João de Castro permanece relevante para a compreensão das origens da geofísica e da epistemologia náutica moderna.
This dissertation examines the contribution of D. João de Castro (1500–1548) to the development of Portuguese nautical science in the 16th century, with a particular focus on his observations on terrestrial magnetism and the scientific and technical value of his roteiros (navigational logs). Starting with a contextualisation of nautical knowledge at the time, the study seeks to understand to what extent D. João de Castro’s work, carried out between 1538 and 1541, represents a methodological shift in empirical observation and data systematisation within the context of oceanic navigation. The research is structured into five chapters. The first analyses the foundations and instruments of Portuguese nautical science, while the second explores the concepts of magnetic declination and terrestrial magnetism. The third chapter focuses on the figure of D. João de Castro, tracing his education, voyages, and major magnetic observations. The fourth examines the impact of his roteiros on contemporary nautical and cartographic practices, highlighting his contribution to the correction of errors and the adoption of more rigorous procedures. The fifth chapter presents a critical synthesis of the findings, identifying the main obstacles to the dissemination of his ideas and his reception in the history of science. Based on a detailed analysis of his texts and contemporary sources, this thesis argues that D. João de Castro occupies a pivotal position in the transition from traditional empirical navigation to a more experimental and systematic approach. His roteiros, serving operational, scientific, and pedagogical purposes, reflect a model of observation guided by principles of measurement, comparison, and critique. Despite several barriers to their immediate reception, his scientific legacy remains essential for understanding the origins of geophysics and the epistemological foundations of modern nautical science.
This dissertation examines the contribution of D. João de Castro (1500–1548) to the development of Portuguese nautical science in the 16th century, with a particular focus on his observations on terrestrial magnetism and the scientific and technical value of his roteiros (navigational logs). Starting with a contextualisation of nautical knowledge at the time, the study seeks to understand to what extent D. João de Castro’s work, carried out between 1538 and 1541, represents a methodological shift in empirical observation and data systematisation within the context of oceanic navigation. The research is structured into five chapters. The first analyses the foundations and instruments of Portuguese nautical science, while the second explores the concepts of magnetic declination and terrestrial magnetism. The third chapter focuses on the figure of D. João de Castro, tracing his education, voyages, and major magnetic observations. The fourth examines the impact of his roteiros on contemporary nautical and cartographic practices, highlighting his contribution to the correction of errors and the adoption of more rigorous procedures. The fifth chapter presents a critical synthesis of the findings, identifying the main obstacles to the dissemination of his ideas and his reception in the history of science. Based on a detailed analysis of his texts and contemporary sources, this thesis argues that D. João de Castro occupies a pivotal position in the transition from traditional empirical navigation to a more experimental and systematic approach. His roteiros, serving operational, scientific, and pedagogical purposes, reflect a model of observation guided by principles of measurement, comparison, and critique. Despite several barriers to their immediate reception, his scientific legacy remains essential for understanding the origins of geophysics and the epistemological foundations of modern nautical science.
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Keywords
D. João de Castro náutica portuguesa declinação magnética roteiros náuticos história da ciência Portuguese navigation magnetic declination nautical logs history of science