Torricelli's life and his religion
Evangelista Torricelli was born on
October 15 of 1608 and died on October 25 of 1647. (www.britannica.com, 3). He was the eldest
of three children and lived in a poor family with tow younger brothers (www.history.mcs.st.uk, 4). Evangelista
Torricelli was a Catholic man, and his father was an artisan and Cleric (galileo.rice.edu,
10/25). Torricelli’s birth place, Italy, was an area of great
Catholic power, especially due to the presence of St. Peter’s Basilica. His
uncle, a member of the religious order of the Camaldolesi, oversaw his
education (oce.cathlic.com). Torricelli conducted his studies at the Jesuit college of Faenza (oc.catholic.com, 8). Being a
stellar student, his uncle (Brother Jacopo) got him to be assigned to study
with Benedetto Castelli at the University
of Sapienza in Rome. Evangelista Torricelli studied
mathematics, mechanics, hydraulics, and astronomy, all of which he learned from
Castelli (www.history.mcs.st.uk, 4).
Surrounded by religious family members, his works at a Catholic school were
probably highly praised. His studies at
a religious college most likely strengthened and solidified his Catholic faith.
Torricelli eventually studied under Galileo.
Torricelli was interested in astronomy, and because of that he was inspired by Galileo. One of his works, the second section of the three part writing De Motu Gravium was essentially a continuation of Galileo’s study on parabolic motion of objects that were launched into the air (www.history.mcs.st.uk, 4). However, Evangelist Torricelli was only able to study with Galileo for a short amount of time due to Galileo’s death that soon followed. Torricelli studied the cycloid and its functions. Although Torricelli had many discoveries, not of them were published (www.history.mcs.st.uk, 4). However, Evangelista Torricelli did have unpublished manuscripts that he gave to someone to have them publish it (www.history.mcs.st.uk, 4). This all occurred shortly before his death. Although some were lost, they were once found again and the work was published (www.history.mcs.st.uk, 4). Evangelista Torricelli’s advancements in the mathematics and science department of society have greatly benefited the community. Also a man involved in politics, Evangelista Torricelli sometimes dealt with the government. For some time, Torricelli’s great friend Galileo was a prisoner inside his own villa at Arcetri (www.scientificlib.com, 11). During this time, Galileo invited Torricelli to come and see him (www.scientificlib.com, 11). Three months after Torricelli’s visit, Galileo died (www.scientificlib.com, 11). The Grand Duke Ferdinando II de’ Medici asked Torricelli to follow Galileo’s occupation and be the teacher of mathematics t the University of Pisa (www.scientificlib.com, 11). Torricelli was also assigned to be the court mathematician of the Grand Duke Fernando II of Tuscany (historyofscience2012.blogspot.com, 12). After the death of Galileo in January 1642, the Grand Duke of Tuscany gave Torricelli’s position of philosopher.
Torricelli also had a background in mathematics and philosophy, as well as some metaphysics and theology ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.", 6). This is most possibly the reason for his thoughts about math, that math is made of logical, possibly fictitious shapes that exist in only the mind but not reality ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.”, 6). Torricelli saw math developments and current facts about math in divine ways, and believed that mathematical concepts, once discovered, are void of contradiction and remain timeless ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.”, 6). The article then expands on a popular debate that occurred back then that was about the divinity and power of math ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.”, 6). Torricelli developed his own spiral and defined it a geometric ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.”, 6). The article, "Studies in History and Philosophy of Science,” says that geometry is basically a study of many patterns, similarities, and habits in the numerical world.
Torricelli was interested in astronomy, and because of that he was inspired by Galileo. One of his works, the second section of the three part writing De Motu Gravium was essentially a continuation of Galileo’s study on parabolic motion of objects that were launched into the air (www.history.mcs.st.uk, 4). However, Evangelist Torricelli was only able to study with Galileo for a short amount of time due to Galileo’s death that soon followed. Torricelli studied the cycloid and its functions. Although Torricelli had many discoveries, not of them were published (www.history.mcs.st.uk, 4). However, Evangelista Torricelli did have unpublished manuscripts that he gave to someone to have them publish it (www.history.mcs.st.uk, 4). This all occurred shortly before his death. Although some were lost, they were once found again and the work was published (www.history.mcs.st.uk, 4). Evangelista Torricelli’s advancements in the mathematics and science department of society have greatly benefited the community. Also a man involved in politics, Evangelista Torricelli sometimes dealt with the government. For some time, Torricelli’s great friend Galileo was a prisoner inside his own villa at Arcetri (www.scientificlib.com, 11). During this time, Galileo invited Torricelli to come and see him (www.scientificlib.com, 11). Three months after Torricelli’s visit, Galileo died (www.scientificlib.com, 11). The Grand Duke Ferdinando II de’ Medici asked Torricelli to follow Galileo’s occupation and be the teacher of mathematics t the University of Pisa (www.scientificlib.com, 11). Torricelli was also assigned to be the court mathematician of the Grand Duke Fernando II of Tuscany (historyofscience2012.blogspot.com, 12). After the death of Galileo in January 1642, the Grand Duke of Tuscany gave Torricelli’s position of philosopher.
Torricelli also had a background in mathematics and philosophy, as well as some metaphysics and theology ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.", 6). This is most possibly the reason for his thoughts about math, that math is made of logical, possibly fictitious shapes that exist in only the mind but not reality ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.”, 6). Torricelli saw math developments and current facts about math in divine ways, and believed that mathematical concepts, once discovered, are void of contradiction and remain timeless ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.”, 6). The article then expands on a popular debate that occurred back then that was about the divinity and power of math ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.”, 6). Torricelli developed his own spiral and defined it a geometric ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.”, 6). The article, "Studies in History and Philosophy of Science,” says that geometry is basically a study of many patterns, similarities, and habits in the numerical world.
A piece of art from the Baroque time period in Italy.
ART
The time period of Evangelista Torricelli saw a great change
in art. Torricelli’s time included an art that was transforming into the branch
“Baroque Art” (wamtac.wordpress.com, 16). The Catholic Church started to have
more connections in art, claiming that it was essential to its members,
especially to those who were unable to read or not educated (wamtac.wordpress.com,
16). According to www.khanacademy.org,
Baroque painting in Italy
aided in strengthening the faith of believers. The website also states that art
was becoming more realistic, to the point that they would “look as though they
are taking place on the streets of Rome.”
Art in Italy
was largely caused by the Catholic Church’s attempt to fight against its
previous, counter-productive reforms (smarthistory.khanacademy.org, 15). In
order to affect the public and counter other Protestant churches, art was made
to have strong impacts and dramatic appearance (smarthistory.khanacademy.org,
15). Seeing that the Catholic Church was having new changes, Torricelli may
have felt that the church may accept his scientific ways. As a result, he would
feel encouraged and safe to proceed in his new studies of science.
MUSIC
Although not directly connected to music, Torricelli did
leave during a time of music. During the period of Evangelista Torricelli, the
rise of the Baroque Period of music was occurring (library.thinkquest.org, 19).
A new, different, and unique type of music was appearing on the horizon (library.thinkquest.org,
19). Opera was just arriving at the beginnings of the 1600’s. According to www.andrewlessermusic.com (18),
the Renaissance of the Baroque Era was a return to the study of Greek thoughts
with a mix of humanism and a want to understand humans. “Baroque” means “deformed pearl,” signifying
the non-uniformity of the era and the new, unusual, and various types of music
(www.baroque.org, 17). This new period of
strange and peculiar new upcoming may have allowed society to be more open to
accepting Evangelista Torricelli’s findings and inventions. Had Torricelli not
felt a form of acceptance, he may not have mad such great inventions like the
barometer.
WAR
Numerous wars were occurring during the time of Evangelista
Torricelli. From 1609-1614, during Evangelista Torricelli’s lifetime, the War
of the Jülich Succession occurred (www.thefreedictionary.com, 22).
Because Duke John William of Jülich-Cleves-Berg did not have any legitimate
heirs to follow him, more than one person claimed the throne to be theirs (www.thefreedictionary.com, 22).
Eventually the Treat of Xanten was signed, and Spain gained more control and power
(www.thefreedictionary.com, 22).
The Thirty Years War was largely between the Catholics, Lutherans, and
Calvinists (www.pipeline.com, 21). After much war in Europe,
the Peace of Westphalia was signed, ending the war (www.pipeline.com, 21).
Although these wars
were quite major during Torricelli’s time, they were not the only wars
present. During the early 1600’s was the War of the Mantuan
Succession. In this war, the participants fought for the controlling power of
northern Italy
(encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com, 20). The Treaty of Regensburg of October
1630 ended the war, resulting in France’s overall increase in power
(encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com, 20). These wars may have led Evangelista
Torricelli to believe that new changes were soon to come. The new approaches
would reveal a perfect opportunity for Torricelli to showcase his new sciences.
DISCOVERIES AND INVENTIONS
Evangelista Torricelli made numerous
discoveries during his lifetime. As both a mathematician and a scientist, his
findings have benefited both the math and science fields of the day. One of
these discoveries was Torricelli’s Trumpet (curvebank.calstatela.edu, 23). The
paradox is an infinitely long solid with a surface area that has an infinite
area but a finite volume (curvebank.calstatela.edu, 23). This finding tilted
towards his mathematical side and reveals his critical, “out-of-the-box”
thinking. Today, mathematicians in the field of calculus study this perplexing
phenomenon.
Although
Torricelli’s Trumpet was a great find, there is one invention that may top this
new discovery. Perhaps his most important invention is Torricelli’s invention
of the barometer. According to www.juliantrubin.com,
Torricelli questioned the general assumption (in his time) that air was weightless.
Torricelli believed that the weight of air was what held up a column of water. Following
Galileo’s instructions, Torricelli filled a glass with mercury, closed it off,
and had made the first man-made vacuum (www.britannica.com,
3). Through this discovery, Evangelista Torricelli figured that the height of
the mercury is directly proportional to the atmospheric pressure that the
instrument is currently at (www.britannica.com,
3). He saw it as a measuring tool, which is used today to
measure pressure (www.juliantrubin.com,
24). Torricelli also studied wind and how it occurred. Galileo.rice.edu
states that Torricelli did not accept the belief that exhalations caused wind.
Evangelista Torricelli believed that wind was caused by changes and
inconsistencies in temperature around different areas of the world (Galileo.rice.edu,
10/25).
Evangelista Torricelli still had even more multitudes of discoveries. Evangelista Torricelli was also interested in optics ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...", 5). He invented a way to make microscopic lenses by melting glass in a lamp ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...", 5).Torricelli also jumped into a new subject for his time, the flow of water coming from vessels. In addition, Torricelli also studied the parabolic curves of projectiles ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...", 5). He also discovered a reason for which projectiles shot vertically lost velocity ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...”, 5). The barometer’s original idea and principle came from Torricelli, but the actual end product, the barometer, was perfected by fellow scientist Viviani ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...”, 5). Evangelista Torricelli is also credited with the discovery of atmospheric pressure ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...”, 5). He also showed that pressure varied each day, with a different pressure for each passing day ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...”, 5). One of Torricelli’s geometry discoveries is that when the base of a triangle is cut into equal parts, the sum of triangles will have a ratio of to one with the triangles of the bases ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.”, 6). Evangelista Torricelli is also known for discovering an infinite hyperboloid ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.”, 6). Due to all of these great achievements, Evangelista Torricelli has gone down in history as one of the greatest scientists to ever walk this earth. His discoveries and new facts are some of the core attributes to today’s modern chemistry and physical science.
Evangelista Torricelli still had even more multitudes of discoveries. Evangelista Torricelli was also interested in optics ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...", 5). He invented a way to make microscopic lenses by melting glass in a lamp ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...", 5).Torricelli also jumped into a new subject for his time, the flow of water coming from vessels. In addition, Torricelli also studied the parabolic curves of projectiles ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...", 5). He also discovered a reason for which projectiles shot vertically lost velocity ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...”, 5). The barometer’s original idea and principle came from Torricelli, but the actual end product, the barometer, was perfected by fellow scientist Viviani ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...”, 5). Evangelista Torricelli is also credited with the discovery of atmospheric pressure ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...”, 5). He also showed that pressure varied each day, with a different pressure for each passing day ("Evangelista Torricelli: Written on the Occasion of the Tercentenary ...”, 5). One of Torricelli’s geometry discoveries is that when the base of a triangle is cut into equal parts, the sum of triangles will have a ratio of to one with the triangles of the bases ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.”, 6). Evangelista Torricelli is also known for discovering an infinite hyperboloid ("Studies in History and Philosophy of Science.”, 6). Due to all of these great achievements, Evangelista Torricelli has gone down in history as one of the greatest scientists to ever walk this earth. His discoveries and new facts are some of the core attributes to today’s modern chemistry and physical science.
Torricelli's environment from a primary resource
In the book “The OCEANA,” by
John Toland, the author tells of the environment of Evangelista’s time. The
work of literature explores not a single aspect of life, but studies the
current (17th-18th century) human society as a whole,
recording different aspects of the world that Evangelista Torricelli lived in.
Religion is mentioned numerous times, discussing the power of religion during the
time period, and how it should be regulated. The document also goes into
various different political-ruling styles, trying to expand on the details and
morals of each individual style of ruling. There is also a presence of a
National Religion that was put in by the Monarchy, revealing that the time
period was one not of complete freedom, and that the nation was put into a
forced unity, which, in different cases, may have had a positive or negative
effect. The book also studies the clergy, and identifies them as having the
Monarchy’s permission and working with the great Glory. This reveals that
religious figures had power in society, to the point that it may have given
them political power. In the time period
of this book, the religious power may have discouraged certain aspects of
science. The book also discuses the connection between politics and religion,
and how affect each other. The study of Law and its uses is also discussed in
the book.