Galileo e i «mille misterii» della natura

Galileo’s understanding of nature remains a relatively underexplored subject. While a significant portion of the historiographical debate has revolved around whether Galileo adhered to a philosophical framework rooted in mathematical realism – famously articulated by Alexandre Koyré’s assertion that "le réel incarne le mathématique" – this contribution aims to shift scholarly focus towards an aspect of Galileo’s conception of nature that, despite some recognition, has not received adequate attention in existing literature. Regardless of its mathematical foundations, Galileo argued that nature transcends complete and absolute human understanding. This perspective, linked to a distinct conception of God as a geometer and deeply motivated by an anti-anthropocentric view, finds its most explicit elucidation in Galileo’s letter sent to Gallanzone Gallanzoni on July 16, 1611.