Thus Spoke Galileo: The great scientist's ideas and their relevance to the present day

by Andrea Frova, Mariapiera Marenzana

Overview

You might know what is said about Galileo, but not many people know what Galileo himself actually said. His elusive and often misquoted discourse has resulted, over the years, in slurs against his name and reputation as a scientist. Let him speak then, so that he can bring to everyone's attention his message of reason, of intellectual honesty, and of free thinking. A message that, more than ever, is of great relevance in the rampant irrationality of the new millennium.

The exposition begins with a blunt 'self-portrait'. A 'forgery' of course, based mainly on extracts from Galileo's writings and private letters; something he would never have dared, nor been allowed, to write for the public. The selection of writings offered includes many of the subjects that were closest to Galileo's heart and mind with lively commentary from both the literary, scientific, and historical viewpoints. For those who want to know the mathematics behind Galileo's theories, each chapter closes with a separate self contained summary.

Thus Spoke Galileo will allow the reader to appreciate the work and the writing-style of a great scientist and author who had a tremendous influence on the modern world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198566250
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/13/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	514
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 5.70(h) x 1.40(d)

Table of Contents

PrefacePersisting misconceptions - A testPart I: Introduction1. Posthumous self-portrait of Galileo Galilei, philosopher2. The origin of nervesPart II: Revolutionary Motions3. Almost free fall4. Life aboard ship5. Towers arrows cannons and birdsPart III: The Pendulum and Music6. The divine harmoniesPart IV: The Starry Sky above Us7. The crystal moon8. In the moonlightPart V: The Spinning Earth9. An ingenious wrong theory10. The seized atmosphere11. Stand still, ever moving sunPart VI12. Infinite finite infinitesimal13. Down the slopePart VII14. Archimedes and the weight of air15. Wax balls and dew drops16. Machines large and smallPart VIII17. In horror at a vacuum18. The obscure labyrinth of the senses19. As fast as lightPart IX: All that Glitters ...20. Quarrels among scientists21. The scientist and the cicadaEpilogue22. Conviction and abjuration