DOCSLIB.ORG

Legacy of the Humanists

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Legacy of the Humanists EUROPE Legacy of the Humanists EUROPEAN UNION NATIONAL INSTITUTES FOR CULTURE – EUNIC EUROPE – LEGACY OF THE HUMANISTS Humanitas hat makes human beings unique? This question was Wtaken up again during the Renaissance period upon For him, it was the rationality of language that differentiated humansreading thefrom works all other of the living Roman beings; writer it needed Cicero (106–43to be applied BCE). and precise manner, since the nurturing of the intellect saidin a refinedto be the nourishment of human dignity (humanitas humanitas implies,– and this over is andexpressed above thethrough modern language use of the– is ); term “humanity”, the aspect of „man as defined by his comprehensive intellectual wisdom“. Language, in its proper application,uch linguistic should and aim philosophical for truth and remarks the common touched good. a Scontemporary nerve amongst the Renaissance scholars, for the reigning academic and cultural drift of the times had reduced language to a practical framework which withhad to socio-political be structured, changes classified the and question definable; of human freedom dignity of tookthought on aand particular aesthetic dynamic, growth especiallywere not called during for. this Along period studia humanitatis,of transition. Based on the Classical archetype one now undertook studies that defined Man, the so-called individual wasthat now had called far-reaching upon to consequences.apply his reason For, and his language,along with to the question dissolution authority of existing and traditional thought patterns knowledge, the to form one’s own opinion, to take political responsibility, of the world through one’s own curiosity and to convey the same,to bring and in tothe open value one’s of one’s mind own in all experience, possible manner to get an beyond idea existing limits. These are the values upon which modern Europe should build itself. Europe – Legacy of the humanists Page B of B EUROPEAN UNION NATIONAL INSTITUTES FOR CULTURE – EUNIC Index The marvel that is Europe: France ...................................................26 Slovakia ................................................48 In dubio pro libertate ..........................2 Carolus Clusius Jacobus Faber .................................................26 Valentin Eck ................................................... 48 Literature........................................................... 7 ..............................................27 Johannes Sambucus ................................... 49 Genesis of the exhibition Germany ...............................................28 Spain .....................................................50 “Europe – Legacy of the Humanists” 8 Johannes Reuchlin .......................................28 Inca Garcilaso de la Vega ..........................50 Humanism – The source Franciscus Junius .........................................29 Miguel de Cervantes ................................... 51 of European values ..............................9 Great Britain ........................................30 Sweden .................................................52 Map of the European Humanists ..... 10 George Buchanan .........................................30 Erik Jönsson Dahlbergh ............................52 George Buchanan ......................................... 31 Anders Spole ...................................................53 Humanism in Europe .......................... 12 Greece ...................................................32 Switzerland ..........................................54 Petrarch Demetrios Chalkokondyles Conrad Gessner ............................................................ 12 .....................32 Heinrich Glarean ..........................................54 Erasmus .............................................................13 Ianos Laskaris ...............................................33 .............................................55 Austria .................................................. 14 Hungary ................................................34 Europa – Erbe der Humanisten .........................56 Elisabeth of Habsburg................................14 John Vitéz de Zredna ..................................34 EUNIC ....................................................57 Peter Lambeck ................................................15 Janus Pannonius ...........................................35 Bulgaria ................................................ 16 Italy .......................................................36 Logos .................................................................... 58 Filip Stanislavov Hristofor Zhefarovich ................................ 16 Manuel Chrysoloras ....................................36 ............................................17 Guarino da Verona .......................................37 Croatia .................................................. 18 Lithuania ..............................................38 Didak Pir Francisk Skorina ........................................................... 18 Motiejus Strijkovskis ..................................38 Filipa Lacea ..................................................... 19 .........................................39 Cyprus ...................................................20 Netherlands .........................................40 Europe – Legacy of the Humanists © EUNIC Stockholm, 2020 Franciscus Patricius Homepage: www.goethe.de/schweden Giasone De Nores ...................................20 Benedictus de Spinoza .............................. 40 Idea: ......................................... 21 Hugo Grotius ..................................................41 Dr. Christian Gastgeber and Prof. Elisabeth Klecker Czech Republic ....................................22 Poland ...................................................42 Concept and Project Management: Dr. Christian Gastgeber Project Management in Sweden: Bohuslaus Hassensteinius Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski .....................42 Daphne Springhorn a Lobkowicz ....................................................22 Wawrzyniec Grzymała Goślicki ............43 Cover image: Lithuanian Humanist Francisk Skorina, Portugal ................................................44 Elizabeth Jane Weston ..............................23 1517–1519 (© Lithuanian Academy of Sciences) Flanders ................................................24 Fernão de Oliveira Graphic Design: MU ateljeer Nicolaes Cleynaerts Damião de Góis Layout: Shutrick illustration ...................................... 44 Translation and final editing: Amrita Dhasa .....................................24 ..............................................45 Romania................................................46 A publication of Goethe-Institut Schweden Joan Lluís Vives .............................................25 Nicolaus Olahus Responsibility: Dr. Arpad-Andreas Sölter (Director, Goethe-Institut Schweden) ............................................ 46 Johannes Honter ...........................................47 Page 1 of 58 EUROPE – LEGACY OF THE HUMANISTS Introduction to the exhibition „Europe – Legacy of the Humanists” The marvel that is Europe: In dubio pro libertate Director of Goethe-Institut Sweden Dr. Arpad-Andreas Sölter, on its common history and shared values such as the varied forms of knowledge, eco- The solidarity of Europe and discourses Ironically, key aspects of the Western world, have a high priority in the work of the Goethe- nomy and state that have taken shape therein, Institut as a German cultural institution with with argumentative patterns of criticism of are repeatedly denounced. This often happens to actively engage within the framework of an a European perspective. This has motivated us logocentrism and phallocentrism are used in the culture and civilization. Buzzwords such as conceptual fog of discourses on decolonisation association of European cultural institutions (EUNIC) in giving shape to Europe for the future. The impetus reads: Occidental thinking as such By promoting the emergence of the multilingual and globalisation that are critical of modernity. European citizen, we see ourselves as a mediator porary viewpoints we also strive at the same of European thought. While presenting con tem- must be broken in order to overcome it! But to time to revitalise the cultural treasures of the subject to criticism that is hostile to science, technology and the economy exactly those the brilliance of the canon of values once created occidental civilisation in cultural comparison, past. For provenance is the future. However, has achievements of Europe that characterise the means to underestimate its contribution to to this question could be illustrated with the in Europe dimmed after all? The possible answer world civilisation. For they vouch for their help of two anecdotes. freedom, prosperity and cultural wealth. urope is apparently in the dock, said a n order to recognise this, one need not pay E Ihomage to ethnocentrism nor sell oneself to Brasilian delegate at the opening of an inter- national debate on European values at a recent European triumphalism: the greatest economy, event in Goethe-Institut Stockholm. Its defence the largest export, the best education for history of violence and for the crimes committed the only welfare state with human and civil is no longer viable. In view of its appalling the vast majority (even if not for everyone), through colonialism, imperialism and racism, it endure ambivalences
Load more

Recommended publications
  • «Legato Con Amore in Un Volume, Ciò Che Per L'universo Si Squaderna»
    FLORILEGIO DI EDIZIONI DANTESCHE «legato con amore in un volume, ciò che per l’universo si squaderna» LIBRERIA PHILOBIBLON - LIBRERIA PREGLIASCO «legato con amore in un volume, ciò che per l’universo si squaderna» (Paradiso XXXIII, 86-87) Et per mia opinione questo commento e di un Jacopo Bolognese, che secondo il medesimo Landino scrisse nella patria lingua: per che ci sono molte parole Bolognesi, et si mostra molto informato delle cose di Bologna. V. B. (Postilla manoscritta di Vincenzo Buonanni apposta all’esemplare dell’edizione di Venezia, Vindelino da Spira, 1477; cfr scheda n. 1) Questo Florilegio dantesco, realizzato in collaborazione tra la Libreria Philobiblon e la Libreria Pregliasco, non è che una scelta dei libri di maggior pregio di una collezione dantesca di oltre mille opere, il cui catalogo completo vedrà senz’altro la luce prima del 690° anniversario della morte del Poeta. Comprenderà quasi tutte le edizioni critiche del Poema e delle opere cosiddette “minori”, nonché quattrocento volumi monografici ed opuscoli in varie lingue sui più variegati aspetti della figura di Dante. N.B. L’illustrazione in copertina si riferisce al n. 32, Suite acquerellata di Zatta. 1 Libreria PHILOBIBLON Libreria Antiquaria PREGLIASCO Piazza S. Simpliciano, 7 Via Accademia Albertina, 3 bis 20121 Milano 10123 Torino Tel. (+39) 02 89076643 Tel. (+39) 011.8177114 - Telefax (+39) Fax (+39) 02 89076644 011.8179214 Palazzo Massimo - Piazza dei Massimi, 3 e-mail: [email protected] 00186 Roma www.preliber.com Tel. (+39) 06 45555970 Fax (+39) 06 45555991 e-mail: [email protected] www.philobiblon.org redazione e responsabilità - Arturo e Umberto Pregliasco - Filippo Rotundo grafica - Francesco Pregliasco stampa - GRAFART CONDIZIONI DI VENDITA I libri sono garantiti completi e in buono stato, salvo indicazione contraria.
    [Show full text]
  • University of Florida Thesis Or Dissertation Formatting
    SMATHERS LIBRARIES’ LATIN AND GREEK RARE BOOKS COLLECTION UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2016 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS page LECTORI: TO THE READER ........................................................................................ 20 LATIN AUTHORS.......................................................................................................... 24 Ammianus ............................................................................................................... 24 Title: Rerum gestarum quae extant, libri XIV-XXXI. What exists of the Histories, books 14-31. ................................................................................. 24 Apuleius .................................................................................................................. 24 Title: Opera. Works. ......................................................................................... 24 Title: L. Apuleii Madaurensis Opera omnia quae exstant. All works of L. Apuleius of Madaurus which are extant. ....................................................... 25 See also PA6207 .A2 1825a ............................................................................ 26 Augustine ................................................................................................................ 26 Title: De Civitate Dei Libri XXII. 22 Books about the City of God. ..................... 26 Title: Commentarii in Omnes Divi Pauli Epistolas. Commentary on All the Letters of Saint Paul. ....................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • George Buchanan 1506- 1582
    George Buchanan 1506- 1582 Contents: Biography.................................................................................................................................................................Page 1 Contexts........................................................................................................................................................Pages 2 - 4 Further Reading / Contacts................................................................................................................Pages 5 - 8 Biography: George Buchanan (1506-82) : Scholar. Born in Stirlingshire. His father died when he was a child, and the mother Agnes brought up 8 children in much reduced circumstances. A very apt boy, he was sent to study at the University of Paris when he was 14. He stayed there until 1522, and in the spring 1525, his name appeared as a pauper student at the university of St Andrews. He went to Paris in 1526 to complete his education and taught there between 1528 and 37. Then he was tutor to one of the sons of King James V, but due to a satire against Cardinal Beaton, his stay in Scotland wasn’t very long. Condemned as a heretic, he fl ed to England and then on to Bordeaux, and later Portugal to teach. The inquisition imprisoned him for his heretical beliefs and it was during this period that he translated the Psalms into Latin. Set free in 1553, he lived in France and Italy and on returning in 1561 was appointed tutor to Mary Queen of Scots, whom he disliked after the murder of Darnley. He was appoint- ed moderator of the Church of Scotland, and between 70-78 he was keeper of the Privy Seal and tutor to young James VI. He pamphleteered against the queen in Ane Detectioun of the Duings of Mary Quene, and held a prominent role in religious affairs until his death in Sept 82.
    [Show full text]
  • Proba the Prophet Mnemosyne Supplements Late Antique Literature
    Proba the Prophet Mnemosyne Supplements late antique literature Editors David Bright (Emory) Scott McGill (Rice) Joseph Pucci (Brown) Editorial Board Laura Miguélez-Cavero (Oxford) Stratis Papaioannou (Brown) Aglae Pizzone (Geneva) Karla Pollmann (Kent) volume 378 The titles published in this series are listed at brill.com/mns-lal Proba the Prophet The Christian Virgilian Cento of Faltonia Betitia Proba By Sigrid Schottenius Cullhed leiden | boston Cover illustration: Grenoble, Bibliothèque Municipale, 352 (a. 1470) 373v. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Cullhed, Sigrid Schottenius, author. Proba the Prophet : the Christian Virgilian Cento of Faltonia Betitia Proba / By Sigrid Schottenius Cullhed. pages cm. – (Mnemosyne supplements ; v. 378) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-90-04-26472-4 (hardback : alk. paper) – ISBN 978-90-04-28948-2 (e-book) 1. Proba, active 4th century. Cento. 2. Bible–In literature. 3. Centos–History and criticism. I. Proba, active 4th century. Cento. II. Title. PA6801.A49P828 2015 873'.01–dc23 2014047087 This publication has been typeset in the multilingual “Brill” typeface. With over 5,100 characters covering Latin, ipa, Greek, and Cyrillic, this typeface is especially suitable for use in the humanities. For more information, please see www.brill.com/brill-typeface. issn 2214-5621 isbn 978-90-04-26472-4 (hardback) isbn 978-90-04-28948-2 (e-book) Copyright 2015 by Koninklijke Brill nv, Leiden, The Netherlands. Koninklijke Brill nv incorporates the imprints Brill, Brill Hes & De Graaf, Brill Nijhoff, Brill Rodopi and Hotei Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.
    [Show full text]
  • Mental Models in Galileo's Early Mathematization of Nature
    Stud. Hist. Phil. Sci. 34 (2003) 229–264 www.elsevier.com/locate/shpsa Mental models in Galileo’s early mathematization of nature Paolo Palmieri UCL London, Department of Science and Technology Studies, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK Received 21 June 2001; received in revised form 7 May 2002 1. Introduction: the question of Galileo’s early mathematization of nature Distinguishing between the mathematical followers of Archimedes, notably Gali- leo, and the Aristotelians of the late sixteenth century, William R. Shea asserted that ‘[m]athematicians, under the guidance of Euclid and Archimedes, viewed the world in terms of geometric shapes which obeyed mathematically expressible laws’.1 In my judgement, Shea’s view should be accepted, even though it was not only Euclid and Archimedes who escorted Galileo into new territories such as, for instance, Two New Sciences, or the Discourse on Buoyancy. A more complex picture has gradually emerged thanks to a number of studies that have examined in detail Galileo’s accept- ance of the Euclidean theory of proportions (or proportional reasoning) as the langu- age of early mathematized physics.2 Yet no research has so far been devoted to the cognitive mechanisms underlying Galileo’s mathematization of nature. This paper addresses some questions related to this theme by adopting a cognitive history perspective which relies on the theory of mental models (on mental models, see Sect. 2, Pt. I; on cognitive history, see Sect. 2, Pt. II). Moreover, through a discussion of Galileo’s alleged use of thought experi- ments the paper suggests how a cognitive history perspective might complement E-mail address: [email protected] (P.
    [Show full text]
  • THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY of JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU the Impossibilityof Reason
    qvortrup.cov 2/9/03 12:29 pm Page 1 Was Rousseau – the great theorist of the French Revolution – really a Conservative? THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU This original study argues that the author of The Social Contract was a constitutionalist much closer to Madison, Montesquieu and Locke than to revolutionaries. Outlining his profound opposition to Godless materialism and revolutionary change, this book finds parallels between Rousseau and Burke, as well as showing that Rousseau developed the first modern theory of nationalism. The book presents an inte- grated political analysis of Rousseau’s educational, ethical, religious and political writings. The book will be essential readings for students of politics, philosophy and the history of ideas. ‘No society can survive without mutuality. Dr Qvortrup’s book shows that rights and responsibilities go hand in hand. It is an excellent primer for any- one wishing to understand how renewal of democracy hinges on a strong civil society’ The Rt. Hon. David Blunkett, MP ‘Rousseau has often been singled out as a precursor of totalitarian thought. Dr Qvortrup argues persuasively that Rousseau was nothing of the sort. Through an array of chapters the book gives an insightful account of Rousseau’s contribution to modern philosophy, and how he inspired individuals as diverse as Mozart, Tolstoi, Goethe, and Kant’ John Grey, Professor of European Political Thought,LSE ‘Qvortrup has written a highly readable and original book on Rousseau. He approaches the subject of Rousseau’s social and political philosophy with an attractively broad vision of Rousseau’s thought in the context of the development of modernity, including our contemporary concerns.
    [Show full text]
  • Congrès Annuel De La R
    (International Conference of the Renaissance Society of America in Montreal (Canada), March, 24th 2011) Storge’s dream in George Buchanan’s Jephthes siue Votum (1554) or how a topos contributed to the revival of tragedy in modern Europe Carine Ferradou, Aix Marseille Univ, CAER, Aix-en-Provence, France Summary: The premonitory and frightening dream of a mother in tears in the Latin tragedy Jephthes siue Votum (1554) is created by George Buchanan for both aesthetical and dramaturgical reasons. Inspired by the classical and the biblical traditions, not only this topos has a lyrical and pathetic dimension, but also it is perfectly inserted into the tragic structure of the drama so that its invention contributes to the deep signification of the holy tragedy. Key words: George Buchanan, Jephthes, dream, Latin tragedy, Renaissance theatre During the years 1540 to 1543, when George Buchanan was a Latin teacher in Bordeaux, he created two Latin tragedies for his pupils, Baptistes siue Calumnia and Jephthes siue Votum. Doing so, Buchanan was one of the first European writers who proposed original biblical tragedies made from the pattern of ancient drama.1 The Scottish scholar was inspired by both the pagan tradition of dream accounts and the Biblical and Christian literature when he chose to set on stage, at the beginning of Jephthes, the female character Storge evoking her frightening dream, whereas her husband, Jephtha, the leader of the Hebrews, is at war against the Ammonites, after he uttered a terrible vow which implied - without his knowing – his only daughter, Iphis. At the end of the tragedy, Jephtha will be victorious, but he will have to sacrifice his daughter to God who helped him during the battle.
    [Show full text]
  • Controversial Topics in Literature and Education: Hrotswitha and Donatus on Terence’S Rapes,” JOLCEL 3 (2020): 2–22
    C C Chrysanthi Demetriou, “Controversial Topics in Literature and Education: Hrotswitha and Donatus on Terence’s Rapes,” JOLCEL 3 (2020): 2–22. DOI: ⒑21825/jolcel.vi⒊825⒈ * N This contribution is part of a larger dialogue of three articles and one responding piece that form the current issue of JOLCEL. The other contributions are “The Meaning and Use of fabula in the Dialogus creaturarum moralizatus” by Brian Møller Jensen (pp. 24–41) and “Introite, pueri! The School-Room Performance of George Buchanan’s Latin Medea in Bordeaux” by Lucy C.M.M. Jackson (pp. 43–61). The response piece is “Latin Education and Classical Reception: the Minor Genres” by Rita Copeland (pp. 62–66). * Controversial Topics in Literature and Education: Hrotswitha and Donatus on Terence’s Rapes* C D Open University of Cyprus A The paper examines the way Terence’s comedy was received and exploited by the dramas of Hrotswitha of Gandersheim. The discussion focuses on a particular comic motif: rape. Aer the examination of the way Hrotswitha transforms Terentian rapes and incorporates them into her dramatic composition, the paper focuses on a very important spectrum of Terence’s survival: education. Specifically, it explores how rape was read and interpreted by the most important treatise of Terence’s exegesis: the commentary of Donatus. All in all, the paper aims at identiing possible common approaches between the educational and literary sources under examination, while, at the same time, investigates the extent to which the educational context of Terence’s reception affected the literary products that used Terence as their prototype.
    [Show full text]
  • A Genettean Reading of Petronius' Satyrica
    NIHIL SINE RATIONE FACIO: A GENETTEAN READING OF PETRONIUS’ SATYRICA BY OLIVER SCHWAZER Thesis submitted to University College London for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy DEPARTMENT OF GREEK AND LATIN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON 1 DECLARATION I, Oliver Schwazer, confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own. Where information has been derived from other sources, I confirm that this has been indicated in the thesis. Signed: _________________________________ 2 ABSTRACT My thesis is a narratological analysis of Petronius’ Satyrica, particularly of the first section taking place in South Italy (Petron. 1–99), based on the methodology and terminology of Gérard Genette. There are two main objectives for the present study, which are closely connected to each other. One the one hand, I wish to identify and analyse the narrative characteristics of the Satyrica, including a selection of its literary models and the ways in which they are imitated or transformed and embedded in a new narrative schema, as well as the impact, which those texts that are connected to it have on our interpretation of the work. My narratological investigation of transtextuality in the case of Petronius includes: the assessment of matters of onymity and pseudonymity, rhematic and thematic titles, and the real and implied author in the sections on para-, inter- and metatexts; features belonging to the categories of narrative voice, mood, and time in the section on the narration (‘narrating’) and the récit (‘narrative’); the hypertextual relationships between the Satyrica and a selection of its potential models or sources in the section on the histoire (‘story’); and the architext or genre of the Satyrica.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 the Early Royal Society and Visual Culture Sachiko Kusukawa1 Trinity
    The Early Royal Society and Visual Culture Sachiko Kusukawa1 Trinity College, Cambridge [Abstract] Recent studies have fruitfully examined the intersection between early modern science and visual culture by elucidating the functions of images in shaping and disseminating scientific knowledge. Given its rich archival sources, it is possible to extend this line of research in the case of the Royal Society to an examination of attitudes towards images as artefacts –manufactured objects worth commissioning, collecting and studying. Drawing on existing scholarship and material from the Royal Society Archives, I discuss Fellows’ interests in prints, drawings, varnishes, colorants, images made out of unusual materials, and methods of identifying the painter from a painting. Knowledge of production processes of images was important to members of the Royal Society, not only as connoisseurs and collectors, but also as those interested in a Baconian mastery of material processes, including a “history of trades”. Their antiquarian interests led to discussion of painters’ styles, and they gradually developed a visual memorial to an institution through portraits and other visual records. Introduction In the Royal Society Library there is a manuscript (MS/136) entitled “Miniatura or the Art of Lymning” 2 by Edward Norgate (1581-1650), who was keeper of the King’s musical instruments, Windsor Herald, and an art agent for “the collector Earl”, Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel (1586-1646) (Norgate 1997, pp. 1-9). Two versions exist of Norgate’s “Miniatura”, the first of which was 1 written for his friend, Sir Theodore Turquet de Mayerne (1573-1655), and a second, expanded treatise was dedicated to his patron’s son, Henry Frederick Howard, the third Earl of Arundel (1608-1652), also an art connoisseur.
    [Show full text]
  • De Jure Regni Apud Scotos;
    DE JURE REGNI APUD SCOTOS; A DIALOGUE CONCERNING THE RIGHTS OF THE CROWN IN SCOTLAND. BY GEORGE BUCHANAN. TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH BY ROBERT MACFARLAN, A.M. PORTAGE PUBLICATIONS Portage Publications, Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado. www.PortagePub.com Copyright © 2000, 2016 Portage Publications, Inc. Portage Publications believes the underlying text in this document is in the public domain. Permission is hereby granted to copy and distribute this document and/or its contents in any medium for any non-commercial purpose without fee or royalty, provided that the document is not altered and that this copyright notice is included. Please visit www.Port- agePub.com/revenue.html if you would like to support this project with a voluntary contri- bution, or to obtain information about commercial licensing. The master for this document was created December 04, 2016, at 8:39 am (mst) by user victor on machine glass from content revision 4377 and configuration revision 173. Except for correction of minor typographical errors in the text and reformatting the docu- ment to better suit modern output media, this book is an unabridged republication of the version whose publication information follows on this page. This information is provided for historical reference purposes only: From the title page: Reprinted from the Edition of 1799. From the back page: Edinburgh: Printed by A. Murray, Milne Square. ISBN (e-book): 978-1-61501-002-8 ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-61501-003-5 GEORGE BUCHANAN WISHES MUCH GOOD HEALTH TO JAMES THE SIXTH, KING OF THE SCOTS. Several years ago, when public affairs were in the greatest confusion, I wrote on the prerogative of the Scottish crown a Dialogue, in which I endeavoured to explain from their very cradle, if I may use the expression, the mutual rights of our kings and of their subjects.
    [Show full text]
  • Galileo's Construction of Idealized Fall in the Void
    Hist. Sci., xliii (2005) GALILEO’S CONSTRUCTION OF IDEALIZED FALL IN THE VOID Paolo Palmieri University of Pittsburgh 1. INTRODUCTION How did Galileo achieve his mathematical natural philosophy? How did he discover the times-squared law, the pendulum isochronism, the parabolic trajectory of projec- tiles — by experiment or by mathematical reasoning? Questions like these have long divided scholars into two camps: the advocates of experiment and the advocates of geometry. Is there an alternative to the two horns of this dilemma? I am convinced that there is indeed a viable alternative. Before substantiating my claim, however, I need to sketch the essential elements characterizing the division. I will do so through the exemplar case which is central to my study here. In 1604 Galileo wrote a letter to Paolo Sarpi, in which he put forward an “errone- ous” principle from which he claimed that he could derive the times-squared law of fall. The principle is as follows: the ratio of the speeds of fall is the same as the ratio of the spaces fallen through. In referring to that “erroneous” principle, Alexandre Koyré argues that Galileo already knew all the details concerning the phenomenon of fall, such as the sameness of ratios between the spaces traversed and the squares of the elapsed times (on sameness of ratios more below, in Section 3).1 What Galileo had long wanted to discover, in Koyré’s view, was a general principle from which he could deduce the law of fall geometrically. In other words, Koyré continues, Galileo sought to fi nd the essence, i.e., the defi nition, or law, of the phenomenon “fall of bodies”.
    [Show full text]