Galileo's Daughter: Science in History
Galileo Galilei, often referred to as the ‘father of experimental physics’ (18), was of many roles a mathematician, philosopher and astronomer. He began his studies at the University of Pisa in 1581, attending until 1585 but earning no degree. After proving his talent in mathematics with written papers, proofs and the occasional public lecture, Galileo secured a teaching profession at the University of Pisa in 1589 and so began his career-long experimental science journey. At the time, the Aristotelian concept was accepted as doctrine by the Roman-Catholic Church and all of Europe honored his principles. In other words, to question his edict was considered heresy. However, Galileo’s contribution to the evolution of science and scientific thought is sought as one of the most profound as he was a man of persistence and brilliance.
He first pondered the Aristotelian idea that if one object, weighing one pound and another ten pounds, the latter would fall ten times faster. Quite frankly, the idea ‘struck Galileo as preposterous’ (19). This may have marked Galileo’s first suspected doubt of Aristotelian ways but certainly was not his last. Much to Galileo’s curiosity, he conducted the experiment atop the Leaning Tower by dropping two balls, one weighing in at one hundred pounds and another at one pound. With the Pisan philosophy department on hand to observe the outcome, Galileo suspected they would hit the ground at the same time, however, the larger ball beat the smaller by a mere two inches. This difference was a sigh of relief for Pisan philosophers who were willing to overlook ninety-nine braccia (arm lengths) in order to continue to follow the ‘wisdom of Aristotle’ (20) and therefore remain consistent with doctrine. This experiment would not be Galileo’s last attempt to test Aristotelian doctrine, but did mark the beginning of a new type of experimental science.
Galileo then took a mathematics position at the University of Padua in 1592 where he continued to
He first pondered the Aristotelian idea that if one object, weighing one pound and another ten pounds, the latter would fall ten times faster. Quite frankly, the idea ‘struck Galileo as preposterous’ (19). This may have marked Galileo’s first suspected doubt of Aristotelian ways but certainly was not his last. Much to Galileo’s curiosity, he conducted the experiment atop the Leaning Tower by dropping two balls, one weighing in at one hundred pounds and another at one pound. With the Pisan philosophy department on hand to observe the outcome, Galileo suspected they would hit the ground at the same time, however, the larger ball beat the smaller by a mere two inches. This difference was a sigh of relief for Pisan philosophers who were willing to overlook ninety-nine braccia (arm lengths) in order to continue to follow the ‘wisdom of Aristotle’ (20) and therefore remain consistent with doctrine. This experiment would not be Galileo’s last attempt to test Aristotelian doctrine, but did mark the beginning of a new type of experimental science.
Galileo then took a mathematics position at the University of Padua in 1592 where he continued to