Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo

What role does belief in God play in Galileo’s thought about the nature and purpose of astronomy?

For Galileo, what role does mathematics play in astronomy?

Concerning sunspots, Galileo says, “I need not say anything definite upon so strange and unexpected an event” (144). Why is he reticent about making pronouncements about sunspots?

How would you characterize Galileo’s attitude toward Apelles on the one hand and toward Lothario Sarsi on the other? What might account for his difference in attitude toward the two?

Does Galileo see himself as simply disseminating Copernicus’s ideas or as improving on them in some way? Cite evidence from the text.

To what extent does Galileo give credit to Aristotle and other ancient authorities? Cite examples from the text.

Discuss Galileo’s use of irony in “The Assayer,” citing at least three examples.

According to Galileo, what should be done if a scientific finding seems to conflict with a biblical passage?