Hobbes and Galileo: Method, Matter and the Science of Motion

The book "Hobbes and Galileo: Method, Matter and the Science of Motion" offers an in-depth analysis of the influence of Galileo Galilei on the natural philosophy of Thomas Hobbes. Translated from Italian, it illuminates the philosophical connections between these two significant thinkers of the 17th century. Hobbes referred to Galileo as the "greatest philosopher of all time" and acknowledged his role in the development of physics and the nature of motion. The work explores central themes such as the differences between Hobbes' and Mersenne's natural philosophies, the Galilean principles in Hobbes' system, as well as the concepts of impulse and conatus. Furthermore, it discusses the role of Marin Mersenne in spreading Galileo's ideas in France and his discussions with Hobbes. The analysis demonstrates how Hobbes and Galileo developed a mechanistic view of the universe that replaced the Aristotelian worldview and focused on the elements of matter and motion.