Question

Which four phrases in this excerpt from Robert Stawell Ball's Great Astronomers convey a commendable tone toward Ptolemy's work?

The 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 unfrequently find lovers of paradox who maintain that Ptolemy's doctrines not only seem true, but actually are true.

Answer 1

The phrases in this excerpt from Robert Stawell Ball's "Great Astronomers" that have a commendable tone towards Ptolemy's work are:

"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."

The author acknowledges Ptolemy's importance to ancient astronomy even if his theories and speculations were later found to be wrong. He explains that, even if they weren't quite right, they resembled the actual facts considerably.

Step-by-step explanation: