ABSTRACT
In this essay I discuss Galileo's understanding of regressive methodology as it is set forth in two of my books• that provided entree to the theme on which this volume of essays is based, namely, "Method in SixteenthCentury Aristotle Commentaries." The exposition is basically autobiographical, for I begin with a brief account of my research on two Dominican friars, Dietrich von Freiberg and Domingo de Soto, whose writings led me to studies of Galileo's methodology. This is the "prelude" of my title. I also conclude with a "sequel" in which I offer a few reflections on how Galileo's methods bear comparison with those of two English scientists in whom I have been interested, William Harvey and Sir Isaac Newton. In this way I hope to cast light on Aristotelian methodology not only as it was developed in the sixteenth century but also as it was understood in centuries previous as well as the famous century that followed.
