What are comets made of? Galileo Galilei published The Assayer in 1623 in order to challenge the theories of Jesuit Orazio Grassi. Although he did not find the right answer, he was able to prove Grassi wrong. The nature of comets was an interesting question, but explaining how science should work was even more urgent. Galileo wanted hidden things to come to light and open a new epistemology of science. This conference delves into contents and implications of Galileo’s masterpiece, where he emerges as a tenacious scientist, skillful rhetorician, and witty polemicist.
The conference will held in presence and online.
Invited Speakers:
Franco Giudice (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore),
Ingrid Rowland (Notre Dame University),
Ugo Baldini (University of Padua)
Discussant:
Denis Robichaud (Notre Dame University),
Davide Pietrini – Università di Bologna
Caterina Agostini (Notre Dame University)
Scientific organization:
Flavia Marcacci (Pontifical Lateran University/Notre Dame Rome Global Gateway)
This is a hybrid event. Register here to participate.
