Discuss the below:
The Assayer by Galileo
1. Why did Galileo write "The Assayer" and what it is about? Why did Galileo chose this title, and what he meant to convey by doing so?
2. What does Galileo means when he says, "nature takes no delight in poetry." Why is science NOT like poetry? What IS science like, according to Galileo?
3. What was the importance of mathematics to Galileo for his understanding of science and of nature. He speaks at one point of language--not the language of poets, but the language of mathematics. How does this relate to his other works in Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo, and in particular, his attempts to defend himself from his critics? Is Galileo able to do so effectively in "The Assayer"?