Galileo and modern science

Pablo Rubén Mariconda

pp. 57-69

in: Décio Krause, Antonio A. Passos Videira (eds), Brazilian studies in philosophy and history of science, Berlin, Springer, 2011

Abstract

In this article I make a positive evaluation of the scientific scope of Galileo's work by showing the presence in it of four fundamental characteristics of scientific modernity: centrality of practical and instrumental action; confluence and union of science and technical practice; mathematization and mechanization of nature; freedom of thought anchored in method. These four characteristics, which can be found in Galileo's work, lead to the conclusion that the common image of Galileo founding classical physics and experimental method is indeed quite adequate and has historical truthfulness.