Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems
Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems: Ptolemaic and Copernican by Galileo Galilei (trans. Stillman Drake) University of California Press, 1967. ISBN:0520004507
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This Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems by Galileo Galilei includes a foreword by Albert Einstein. This translation is based on the definitive National Edition prepared under the direction of Antonio Favaro and published at Florence in 1897. The material added by Galileo after publication of the first edition has also been included. In addition, the margins of the book include translations of Galileo's postils (running notes). These are placed beside their textual references. In The Road to Reality, Roger Penrose warmly recommends this translation, and like Simon Singh in Big Bang, reproduces part of the famous section on Galileo's theory of relativity.
The Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems is a dialogue between Salviati, (a heliocentrist) and Simplicio (a geocentrist). Another character, Sagredo, acts as moderator. They gather together over the course of four days to discuss the Ptolemaic and Copernican views of the universe. Simplicio is shown to be a buffoon, and is mocked by Sagredo (who sides with Salviati). Simplicio's pronouncements were similar to the Pope's, which did not go down well. Soon after publication. Galileo appeared before the Inquisition on trial for heresy.
- Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems by Galileo Galilei is one of the key texts in the development of science. It is also more readable than most texts of a similar vintage. Galileo was persecuted by the Inquisition because of it. Hot stuff.