Synopses & Reviews
Any reasonably educated person knows what is said about Galileo, but not what Galileo himself actually said. This has allowed a variety of different interpretations to be put upon his stands as a scientist and as a man, in particular from within the Catholic world, where a sense of guilt for his dramatic destiny has never been completely erased. Let him speak, then so that he can bring to everybody's attention, in particular the young, his message of reason, of intellectual honesty, of free thinking. A message that more than ever, is of great relevance in the rampant irrationality of the new millennium. The selection of writings offered here is preferred by a blunt self-portrait, which is of course a "forgery" - however, one that is based entirely on extracts from Galileo's writings and private letters, though he would never have dared, nor been allowed to write it himself. The anthology touches upon the themes dearest to Galileo and a lively commentary, from both the scientific and the literary-historical viewpoints, should help make the extracts accessible. The reader will be able to appreciate the work and the writing-style of a very great scientist and author and will probably also be surprised to find with the aid of a test with answers provided, just how many of the misconceptions about the "workings of the world" that were rife prior to Galileo, still survive today among the common beliefs of even well-educated, non scientific people.
Synopsis
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.
About the Author
Andrea Frova
Full professor of General Physics
University of Rome "La Sapienza"
P. Aldo Moro 2
00185 Roma
Italy
Mariapiera Marenzana
Retired Professor of Italian and Latin Literature from Liceo Coreutico at the National Dance Academy
via Ridolfino Venuti 21
00162 Roma
Italy
Translated by Jim McManus in collaboration with the authors
Table of Contents
Preface
Persisting misconceptions - A test
Part I: Introduction
1. Posthumous self-portrait of Galileo Galilei, philosopher
2. The origin of nerves
Part II: Revolutionary Motions
3. Almost free fall
4. Life aboard ship
5. Towers arrows cannons and birds
Part III: The Pendulum and Music
6. The divine harmonies
Part IV: The Starry Sky above Us
7. The crystal moon
8. In the moonlight
Part V: The Spinning Earth
9. An ingenious wrong theory
10. The seized atmosphere
11. Stand still, ever moving sun
Part VI
12. Infinite finite infinitesimal
13. Down the slope
Part VII
14. Archimedes and the weight of air
15. Wax balls and dew drops
16. Machines large and small
Part VIII
17. In horror at a vacuum
18. The obscure labyrinth of the senses
19. As fast as light
Part IX: All that Glitters ...
20. Quarrels among scientists
21. The scientist and the cicada
Epilogue
22. Conviction and abjuration