Galileo in Context

Description

A survey of recent attempts to dispel the myth of Galileo as isolated pioneer, and to explore instead the intellectual, cultural and social contexts that substantially shaped Galilean science. In particular, attention is paid to the influence of contemporary engineer-scientists on Galilean experimental physics, the influence of artists on the visual representation techniques used in Galilean astronomy, and the power structures of Galileo's day and their influence on his career and the way in which scientific information was organised and communicated in Early Modern Europe. An appendix includes for the first time in English translation three essays by pioneering Galileo scholars from the turn of the last century, Favaro, Caverni and Wohlwill, prefaced by biographical introductions placing their work in context.

'This is an excellent anthology of original essays ... the editor and publisher are to be commended for issuing this work, which first appeared in 2000 as a special double issue of the journal Science in Context, in book form. it is essential for specialists and useful for anyone wanting to learn more about Galileo's work.' ISIS '... this collection is a worthy addition to the literature on Galileo ... some stimulating and original contributions ... In all this is a stimulating collection covering some new terrain in Galileo studies ...'. Metascience 'What we have here is a collection of meticulously detailed studies of various aspects of Galileo, his work, and his impact on the following generation. All should be regarded as essential reading for anyone interested in Galileo and his historical context ...'. The British Journal for the History of Philosophy