I recall reading a long time ago that at one point Gallileo got funding for his project by demonstrating to the Venetian Doge and Council that with his new invention, Venetian naval ships could clearly spot enemy ships on the horizon while remaining invisivble themselves. Don't know if the story is true, but I like to think it is.
PS In the earliest phase, I think the Church was quite right to question Galileo's earthshaking new theory, because it was challenging not only their faith in a (lmis) reading of scripture, but the established and sophisticated and scientific astronomy of the day.
Ptolemy's calculations for positioning the planets worked very well indeed for most purposes, even though they assumed curcular, not elliptical orbits and required a bit of fiddling.
His math is still available today, and of course it still does a not bad job. His central premise may have been wrong, but the math remains a thing of beauty. There's a moral in there, somewhere... 😊
Great comment, thanks so much for contributing . I’m planning to write a piece for next week that takes a look at the case from the Inquisition’s perspective - best regards David M
I just relocated to Italy 🇮🇹, from Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹, and before that from the USA🇺🇸 to Austria 🇦🇹. Fortunately, I am a dual US and Italian citizen. I recently visited Pisa. Galileo and Fibonacci were affiliated with a University there. I love ❤️ Italy.
Thanks Alice, I’m planning to write a piece next week looking at the Church’s perspective. Regards, David M
Establishing one of the basic propositions of logic : majorities are irrelevant in determining facts.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Very good quick history. Gives me pause about the Church
A lovely essay, and sadly timely. I smiled at the 'snarling sermon,' picturing the Domini cane who gave it.
Thankyou RMA, much appreciated.
Thanks for this exposition
I'm so glad I discovered your substack! What a beautiful read ✨
Thank you, that’s very kind and I really appreciate your comment - best regards David M
Thank you for sharing this wonderful history lesson. It brings me joy to read your interesting work.
I recall reading a long time ago that at one point Gallileo got funding for his project by demonstrating to the Venetian Doge and Council that with his new invention, Venetian naval ships could clearly spot enemy ships on the horizon while remaining invisivble themselves. Don't know if the story is true, but I like to think it is.
PS In the earliest phase, I think the Church was quite right to question Galileo's earthshaking new theory, because it was challenging not only their faith in a (lmis) reading of scripture, but the established and sophisticated and scientific astronomy of the day.
Ptolemy's calculations for positioning the planets worked very well indeed for most purposes, even though they assumed curcular, not elliptical orbits and required a bit of fiddling.
His math is still available today, and of course it still does a not bad job. His central premise may have been wrong, but the math remains a thing of beauty. There's a moral in there, somewhere... 😊
Great comment, thanks so much for contributing . I’m planning to write a piece for next week that takes a look at the case from the Inquisition’s perspective - best regards David M
I just relocated to Italy 🇮🇹, from Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹, and before that from the USA🇺🇸 to Austria 🇦🇹. Fortunately, I am a dual US and Italian citizen. I recently visited Pisa. Galileo and Fibonacci were affiliated with a University there. I love ❤️ Italy.