Galileo’s La bilancetta: The First Draft and Later Additions

Abstract

This study aims to show that the experimental confirmation of his conjectural ideas was a constant concern for Galileo from the very beginning of his scientific activity. In order to support my view, I shall quote his early experimental work and first show the extent to which he was able to analyse his results in depth by himself. Then I shall give evidence that he discussed his results with other scientists to help confirm his initial intuitive ideas. He consulted with them and their advice helped him to come to his final conclusion regarding his insight.