Galileo, Courtier: The Practice of Science in the Culture of Absolutism

By Mario Biagioli

Book Overview

Informed by currents in sociology, cultural anthropology, and literary theory, "Galileo, Courtier" is neither a biography nor a conventional history of science. In the court of the Medicis and the Vatican, Galileo fashioned both his career and his science to the demands of patronage and its complex systems of wealth, power, and prestige. Biagioli argues that Galileo's courtly role was integral to his science the questions he chose to examine, his methods, even his conclusions. "Galileo, Courtier" is a fascinating cultural and social history of science highlighting the workings of power, patronage, and credibility in the development of science."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0226045595
• ISBN13: 9780226045597
• Release Date: September 1993
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

a different kind of scientific career: court life

In this book we learn how Galileo shaped is scientific career, or rather how his being involved in a princely court influenced his works and the debates he become involved in (e.g., bouancy, sunspots). Mario Biagioli takes us through court life, and descibed Galileo's unique position in this court culture. Galileo was able to become close to a prince (Cosimo II), and used his title as "philosopher" to try to validate his ideas. We also learn how Galileo's fate was tied to court life. A pope, who as a Cardinal enjoyed Galileo's works, turned upon Galileo due to criticisms by his peers. Biagioli calls this "the fall of the favorite." This is an interesting look at Galileo's professional life and its influence on his scientific musings and how court life gave him both his glory and downfall.

controversial but important

I read the Shank-Biagioli dispute the reviewer mentions. If you accept Shank's critique, it undermines one chapter but not the entire book. For anyone interested in Galileo, scientific patronage, or religion and science, this is a must-read. Even if you do not agree with everything Biagioli says, his book has been incredibly influential.

A whole new Galileo

This book is a real eye-opener. Fascinating, readable, well-researched, Mario Biagioli takes us beyond the ever-present conventional portraits of Galileo as "father of modern science." Biagioli weaves an enthralling tale that takes us into a world that is very different than our own. Here we see Galileo in his 16th century context, rather than through the anachronism of enlightenment and positivism. And what a strange and wonderful picture it is. A world of courtly patronage and emblamatics that Galileo navigated as skillfully as he did the worlds of mathematics and natural philosophy. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the history, science, the Renaissance or even just a good story with fascinating ideas and personalities.