Ben Aldrich, Tom Garrity, Mike Kovatch A Reconceptualization of the Galileo Conflict: Revelation versus Empiricism Ben Aldrich, Tom Garrity, Mike Kovatch Galileo Galilei was a natural philosopher of the seventeenth century whose support of Copernicus’ heliocentric theory of the solar system, based upon empirical evidence, was crucial to the theory’s eventual acceptance. Yet not all were pleased with the new model, notably the Roman Catholic Church for heliocentrism contradicted the long-held geocentric model supported by passages of the Holy Bible. This conflict between the Church and Galileo, which led to the trial and eventual house arrest of Galileo, is often portrayed as a clash between religion and science in which the two sides cannot coexist. Key Points in Development of Heliocentrism: Phases of Venus Moons of Jupiter Supernova Sunspots Retrograde motion De Revolutionibus Published (1543) Complete/Publish Dialogue (1630-1632) Ptolemy (2nd Century AD) Copernicus finishes De Revolutionibus (1532) Letter to Grand Duchess Christina (1615) Sidereus Nuncius (1610) Letter to Kepler about Copernican Model (1597) “Commentariolus” (1514) Council Of Trent (1545) Church issues warning for Copernicus’ theory, bans De Revolutionibus (1616) Copernicus (1473) Protestant Reformation (1517) Kepler Publishes Astronomia Nova (1609) Dead (1642) Galileo Galilei (1564) Imprisonment/Trial (1633) Letter to Castelli (1613) Receives papal permission (1624) Modern Reconceptualization: Our research focuses on a reconceptualization of this conflict as one not between religion and science, but between two different methods of acquiring knowledge; through revelation or through empiricism. The removal of the words religion and science allow for the study of this conflict as two sides of the debate over the proper means of acquiring knowledge, and not a fight between two unique and disjointed factions. Ultimately, the Church’s power allowed their belief in biblical literalism to be accepted over the biblical accommodationism which Galileo promoted. Key Quotes: “Our method of acquiring knowledge proceeds with reasoning by steps from one conclusion to another, while for God it is one of simple intuition.” – Dialogue “Whatever sensory experience places before our eyes or necessary demonstrations prove to us concerning natural effects should not in any way be called into question on account of Scriptural passages.” – Galileo to Castelli “Given that the two Truths [the Truth of God and the Truth of Nature] can never contradict each other, the task of the wise interpreters is to strive to find the true meaning of scriptural passages agreeing with those physical conclusions of which we are certain and sure from clear sensory experiences or necessary demonstrations.“ – Letter to Grand Duchess Christina Dialogue Concerning Two Chief World Systems – Galileo Galilei De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium – Nicolaus Copernicus The Galileo Affair – Maurice A Finocchiaro Galileo and Reconceptualizing the History of Science and Religion – David B Wilson Science and Religion: A Historical Introduction – Richard J Blackwell INTD 220: History of the Physical Sciences Drs. Cope, McLean, Towsley