04541 - History of Scientific Thought

Learning outcomes

In-depth covering of the Galileo case, in its scientific, historical, juridical and epistemological aspects.

Course contents

First part: Galileo and the Inquisition. Scientific and legal aspects.

1. The geocentric systems (Ptolemaic, Tychonic) and the Copernican system.
2. Galileo's astronomic observations of 1609-1610 and their consequences.
3. Galileo  supports the Copernican system together with the need to go beyond literary
interpretation of the Bible.
4. The position of Roberto Bellarmino. The admonition of 1616.
5. The Dialogo sui Massimi Sistemi.
6. Trial, conviction, abjuration. Critical reading of the original proceedings.

Second part: codification of the advanced scientific instruction

1. The military schools in France: (Mezieres, the Ecole Militaire in Paris).
2. The French Revolution and the foundation of the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole
Normale Superieure
3. Structure and purpose of these institutions.
4. Friedrich von Humboldt and the foundation of the research University (Berlin 1812).
5. The higher scientific education in Italy at the moment of the unification of the
country in 1861.

Readings/Bibliography

Suggested in class by teacher.

Teaching methods

lectures in class and reading assignments.

Assessment methods

written final paper

Teaching tools

Office hours

See the website of Sandro Graffi