THUS SPOKE GALILEO

Erscheinungsjahr 2011
ISBN: 978-0-19-960682-5
Verlag: OXFORD UNIV PR

Buch, Englisch, 512 Seiten, Format (B × H): 142 mm x 215 mm, Gewicht: 714 g

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.

Zielgruppe

The style of the book is in between essay and popular science, the readership very broad, ranging from high school science teachers, high school and college students, to people interested in scientific writing and fundamental physical principles, people wishing to acquire an insight into a seminal figure and a concise yet comprehensive overview of his extraordinary achievements. The text could be used as a supplementary reading in history of science courses at a college level.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Frova, Andrea

Marenzana, Mariapiera

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Wissenschafts- und Universitätsgeschichte
• Naturwissenschaften Astronomie Geschichte der Astronomie
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Formalen Wissenschaften & Technik
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Geschichte der Human- und Sozialwissenschaften
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Mathematik Allgemein Geschichte der Mathematik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

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

Über Autor(innen)

Andrea Frova, Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", and Mariapiera Marenzana, Retired Professor of Italian and Latin Literature from Liceo Coreutico at the National Dance Academy