Outside the Box Thinking: Galileo's Geometry of Dante's Inferno
Long before Galileo Galilei ever thought of pointing the new-fangled invention of the telescope to the night sky, he had a big problem. He needed to get a job.
The year was 1588 and the 24-year-old was seeking to establish himself as a mathematician. Early in the year, he had applied to be the chair of mathematics at the University of Bologna but was rejected. He then set his sights on obtaining an appointment to the University of Pisa, but had to impress an influential committee who could make or break the future for his proposed career.
That group was a literary society. The members of the Florentine Academy had the ability to influence the University of Pisa’s hiring of academics and they asked Galileo to deliver two lectures on the geometry of the underworld described in Dante Alighieri‘s epic poem, The Divine Comedy.
Between these lectures and the publication of a manuscript with theorems he had developed on centers of gravity, Galileo impressed the people he needed and secured a position as chair of mathematics at the University of Pisa. In Gresham College’s 2025 Provost Lecture, mathematics professor Sarah Hart explored how several of Galileo’s deductions derived from his mathematical analysis of Dante’s literary work influenced his later research. The following video presents several remarkable examples of Galileo’s creative outside-the-box-thinking that resulted from his taking on the challenge:
There are many lessons here about the value of boundary crossing interdisciplinary research. Hart’s lecture also provides a great overview to how Galileo’s creative endeavor affected later work in the arts and sciences. Like the examples of fractal patterns she includes near the end of the lecture, there’s a seemingly infinite number of rabbit holes to go down to see where they lead.
Source: https://politicalcalculations.blogspot.com/2025/09/outside-box-thinking-galileos-geometry.html
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,725,991,723 |
| Stories: | 8,491,765 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
