Matteo Valleriani
Research Scholar
Dr.
Residence: since October 15, 1998
Profile
Matteo Valleriani's research focuses on the history of mechanics from classical antiquity to late Renaissance. In particular, his research intends to determine the role of the relations between practical knowledge and technology on the one side, and theoretical knowledge on the other side, within the framework of the processes of emergence of new theoretical knowledge. The research is structured on four different levels. The first level is the epistemological level that aims at formulating an epistemic theory of practical knowledge. The second level concerns mechanisms of diffusion of practical knowledge and the consequences this diffusion has in different cultures, as well as the transmission over epochs. The third level refers to the relationship between practical knowledge and natural philosophy. Finally, the fourth level analyzes the inherent points of contact between practical and theoretical knowledge and explores the mechanisms of the processes of emergence of new scientific knowledge.
Matteo Valleriani's research moreover extends the implementation of the approach used to explore mechanisms of diffusion of knowledge also to studies dedicated to the role of Aristotelian knowledge in all cultures and epochs, in which this played a relevant role.
Selected publications
Valleriani, Matteo. Galileo engineer. Dordrecht [u.a.]: Springer, 2010.
Valleriani, Matteo. "The transformation of Aristotle's 'Mechanical questions' : a bridge between the Italian Renaissance architects and Galileo's first new science. " Annals of Science 66 (2 2009)
Valleriani, Matteo. "The knowledge Agora : the role of the officials." In: Cultures of knowledge : technology in Chinese history, eds.: Schäfer, Dagmar. Leiden [u.a.]: Brill, 2012.
Matteo Valleriani. "Galileo's Abandoned Project on Acoustic Instruments at the Medici Court. " History of Science 50 (1 2012)
Talks and presentations
Teaching activities
