Notes From Off Center - Latest Comments in Galileo's Trial

Re: Galileo's Trial

Looney — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:33:21 -0000

I always understood Simplicius to be a caricature of the academics of that day who followed Aristotle primarily, but the Bible secondarily. The educated academics had grafted 'science' (including the astrologer Ptolemy's teachings) onto the Bible - which was the root cause of the trouble. Needless to say, I have always drawn the exact opposite lesson from this example from the academic one. Galileo got a slap on the wrist in order to calm down the academics.

Re: Galileo's Trial

Quixie — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:47:07 -0000

Drew

It was the the publication of the science that resulted in the perceived insult. Yes, the root of the scandal was political. Galileo made the mistake of making the character in his dialogues (which was obviously meant to represent the good cardinal) into a superstitious dullard. In other words, the pope felt like he was being mocked (he was).

However, the church, in its disciplining of Galileo, never once defended "science". Their tack was NOT "hate the sinner but love the sin" . . . if you get me. They could have disciplined him for being rude, but instead they decided to shut the whole opus down. They kept insisting that Galileo recant his Copernican model, basing a few verses as their authority for demanding this from him. Thus, it was precisely and undeniably the "science" which they denied in their determined quest to show Galileo just who was boss in that town.

Galileo IS a perfect example of what can happen when we let piety dictate our advance as a species.

peace

Re: Galileo's Trial

Looney — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:28:10 -0000

Thanks for that link. Especially it is interesting the lack of specifics regarding the events, given that this story has the same level as the flat earth theory in atheist polemics.

During the inquisition, the usual practice was to put people out of their house and confiscate their property. It looks like Galileo not only didn't lose his property, but probably got free pizza delivery as a bonus. Since he was already old, not going far, but still able to continue his work, I have to wonder if this wasn't a bit of a tongue in cheek sentence.