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Galileo's muse : Renaissance mathematics and the arts / Mark A. Peterson.
Author
Peterson, Mark A., 1946-
[Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/Created
Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 2011.
Description
1 online resource (vi, 336 pages) : illustrations
Availability
Available Online
JSTOR DDA
Ebook Central Perpetual, DDA and Subscription Titles
Details
Subject(s)
Arts, Renaissance
—
Italy
[Browse]
Mathematics
—
Italy
—
History
[Browse]
Science and the arts
—
Italy
—
History
[Browse]
Galilei, Galileo 1564-1642
[Browse]
Summary note
Mark Peterson makes an extraordinary claim in this fascinating book focused around the life and thought of Galileo: it was the mathematics of Renaissance arts, not Renaissance sciences, that became modern science. Galileo's Muse argues that painters, poets, musicians, and architects brought about a scientific revolution that eluded the philosopher-scientists of the day, steeped as they were in a medieval cosmos and its underlying philosophy. According to Peterson, the recovery of classical science owes much to the Renaissance artists who first turned to Greek sources for inspiration and instruction. Chapters devoted to their insights into mathematics, ranging from perspective in painting to tuning in music, are interspersed with chapters about Galileo's own life and work. Himself an artist turned scientist and an avid student of Hellenistic culture, Galileo pulled together the many threads of his artistic and classical education in designing unprecedented experiments to unlock the secrets of nature. In the last chapter, Peterson draws our attention to the Oratio de Mathematicae laudibus of 1627, delivered by one of Galileo's students. This document, Peterson argues, was penned in part by Galileo himself, as an expression of his understanding of the universality of mathematics in art and nature. It is "entirely Galilean in so many details that even if it is derivative, it must represent his thought," Peterson writes. An intellectual adventure, Galileo's Muse offers surprising ideas that will capture the imagination of anyone--scientist, mathematician, history buff, lover of literature, or artist--who cares about the humanistic roots of modern science
Mark Peterson makes an extraordinary claim in this fascinating book focused around the life and thought of Galileo: it was the mathematics of Renaissance arts, not Renaissance sciences, that became modern science. Painters, poets, musicians, and architects brought about a scientific revolution that eluded the philosopher-scientists of the day.
Bibliographic references
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Source of description
Print version record.
Contents
Galileo, humanist
The classical legacy
Poetry
The plan of heaven
The vision of God
Painting
The power of the lines
The skin of the lion
Music
The Orphic mystery
Kepler and the music of the spheres
Architecture
Figure and form
The dimensions of hell
Mathematics old and new
Transforming mathematics
The oration.
Show 14 more Contents items
ISBN
0674062973 ((electronic bk.))
9780674062979 ((electronic bk.))
OCLC
768411326
Statement on language in description
Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage.
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Galileo's muse [electronic resource] : Renaissance mathematics and the arts / Mark A. Peterson.
id
99125359837806421
Galileo's muse : Renaissance mathematics and the arts / Mark A. Peterson.
id
9968867293506421