Galileo Essay - 1,803 words

Galileo Galileo and Heliocentric Theory In case Copernicus heliocentric theory is the triumph of a new experimental approach,
Galileos contribution to the acceptance of Copernican heliocentric theory shouldnt be underestimated. The matter at issue is that
Copernican heliocentric theory in its original form contained no exact description of the orbits of celestial bodies and, then, had no
convincing arguments to explain the inconceivability of the motion of the Earth. The first part of the task was solved by Kepler, while
the second one was solved by Galileo. Aristotles paradigm was of no practical use. Bruno made certain conclusions of generally
philosophical character from Copernicus theories. Kepler brought Copernicus system to conformity with the latest astronomical data.

Galileo had the task to substantiate Copernicus theory physically. The usage of telescope allowed Galileo to discover the
inconsistency between the Aristotles and Copernicus theories. His discoveries brought enough evidence to refute Aristotles theory
and establish the supremacy of the observation over theoretical reasoning. Yet, the establishment of the supremacy of the methods
of observation over the theoretical conclusions wasnt enough to prove the correctness of Copernicus system. Galileo had to provide
reasonable explanations to different events, such as why the Earths motion is not accompanied with the hurricane moving in the
opposite direction, or why the objects that are thrown up by a person never fall from behind. In order to answer these questions,
Galileo studied the phenomena of free-falling bodies.

Although there were some theories explaining this phenomenon, they still were unable to give mathematical substantiation of the
problem. Galileo decided to reject the theories and turned to the experiment as the main investigative technique (Galilei). Aristotles
physics acknowledged natural and forcible motion. He considered nature being the principle of motion (Galilei n.p.). As far as the
motion of the Earth was related to natural type of motion, there was a contradiction between Aristotles understanding of natural
motion from one hand, and the motion of the planets around the Sun along closed trajectories, from the other hand. At the same time,
Galileo considered that the true method of investigating whether any motion can be attributed to the earth, and if so what it may be,
is to observe and consider whether bodies separated from the earth exhibit some appearance of motion which belongs equally to all
(Galilei n.p.) Galileo used the mathematical- experimental method to formulate a new theory of terrestrial motion. Galileos theory
contributed to the acceptance of Copernican heliocentric theory and disposed Aristotles objections to the hypothesis of a moving
Earth based on observations of free-falling bodies. Galileos thoughts expressed in his works hardly could fit Aristotles world outlook.

They had much in common with the theories of Copernicus and Bruno. In 1642 Galileo made several discoveries that strengthened
Copernicus theory. For example, Galileo discovered the mountains on the Moons surface. Thus Galileo considered the Moon to be
similar to the Earth (by its nature). On contrary, according to Aristotle (and the Church), the assumption concerning similarities
between the celestial and the terrestrial was out of the question. Further, Galileo explained the nature of the ash grey light of the
Moon bounced from the Earth.

He also discovered four Jupiters satellites. The fact that satellites circled Jupiter refuted the erroneous assumption that the Earth is
the centre of all celestial bodies. Galileo also discovered that Venus, similar to the Moon, change its phases. Therefore, he came to
conclusion that the Venus is a umbilic celestial body that gives the light reflected from the Sun. Further Galileo examined
peculiarities of the Venus orbit and came to conclusion that the Venus circles not the Earth, but the Sun. Next, Galileo discovered
sun spots and concluded that the Sun turns about its own axis, therefore, axial rotation is peculiar to various celestial bodies (for
example, the Sun). Hence it followed that the Earth was only one of the celestial bodies that orbited the Sun in a path. Dialogue
Concerning Two Chief World Systems Dialogue Concerning Two Chief World Systems was published in Florence in 1632. It consists
of four dialogues.

Three main characters (the first one is Galileo, the second person uphold the principles of Aristotle, and the third one is the educated
person who acts in the capacity of the arbitrator. The first day dwells on the study of constancy, invariance and undecayed condition
of the celestial world. In particular, it is dedicated to sun spots, and mountainous terrain of the Mood. The other party (the person
who defends Aristotles position) denies all scientific discoveries and achievements. The second day is dedicated to the discussion
concerning the motion of the Earth. This chapter lays the foundations of the modern dynamics the principle of inertia and the
classical principle of relativity. The principle of inertia is proved by the instrumentality of the reasoning that, to a certain extent,
reminds the proof to the contrary (in mathematics).

Galileos principle of relativity had great impact on the modern science and occupies a highly important place in classical physics. The
scientist describes his principle in a slow and in-depth way. He offers to find a place to stay alone in a spacious room somewhere in
the lower deck of the ship. The observer should have a supply of fly, butterflies, and other flying insects. He also should have the
vessel with fishes (Galilei n.p.). Then he should suspend the bucket by the rope from the ceiling. The water should be dripping down
from the bucket drop by drop into the other bucket with the narrow mouth that should be placed underneath the first bucket.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................You are reading a preview................... Visit our Blog and Unlock Full Access to this essay

...................You are reading a preview................... Visit our Blog and Unlock Full Access to this essay

...................You are reading a preview................... Visit our Blog and Unlock Full Access to this essay
...................You are reading a preview................... Visit our Blog and Unlock Full Access to this essay

...................You are reading a preview................... Visit our Blog and Unlock Full Access to this essay

...................You are reading a preview................... Visit our Blog and Unlock Full Access to this essay

Continue READING the FULL Essay by clicking HERE

Essay Tags: galileo, experimental method, motion, sensory experience, world system This is an Essay sample / Research paper, you can use it for
your research of: Galileo