Both Galileo and Aristotle were discovers who made important discoveries. However, their discoveries have been criticized by several scholars over the years. This paper seeks to compare their understanding of motion, how their methods of arriving at scientific knowledge differed and the factors that made Galileo ideologies dangerous.
According to Aristotle, the speed that an object is moving is related directly to the magnitude of force applied on the object, which is a consequence of its weight, and that it is inversely related to the medium viscosity. Aristotle also argued that force was necessary to keep and object in motion. On the contrary, Galileo believed that the speed of a falling object is not influenced by its weight. Galileo also argued that although force is required to start motion, no force is required to keep an object moving. Force will only be necessary in the presence of friction to overcome the friction. However, both Aristotle and Galileo agreed on the idea that objects cannot move unless a force is applied on it.
Aristotle arrived at scientific knowledge by defining the subject, reviewing the generally accepted concepts on the subject and ideas suggested by earlier writers and presenting his arguments based on deductive reasoning. On the contrary, Galileo arrived at scientific knowledge by performing experiments to test his assertions. Galileo discoveries were more practical than those of Aristotle since they were tested using experiments.
Galileo ideology was dangerous because he challenged the dominant ideology in Europe at that time. It was believed that the earth was the universe centre. However, Galileo claimed that the sun was actually the universe centre and that the earth rotated around the sun. Galileo had to go before an inquisition to renounce his discovery.
Works Cited
Fowler, Michael . Beginnings of Science and Philosophy in Athens. 9 March 2008. 19 April 2013
KGV. Galileo Galilei and Aristotle. 20 May 2010. 19 April 2013
