Galileo Galilei: Theory, Trial, and
Tribulations
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Context
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Timeline of events
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Galileo's letter to the Grand Duchess
Context: Ptolemaic Model
Context: Copernican Model
Context: Italy
Context: The Inquisition
Context: Heresy
Timeline of Events: Before the Trial
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1597
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Tells friends he agrees with
Copernican model
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1600
1613
1615
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Dissident thinker convicted
of heresy and burned
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1610
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Builds telescope, confirms
Copernican model
1611
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Honored by mathematicians
at a banquet at Collegio
Romano
Complaint filed with
Inquisition
1624
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First attack from the clergy
Meets with Pope 6 times,
told he can discuss theory
only as a hypothesis
1633
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At trial, recants and
sentenced to house arrest
Timeline of Events: After the Trial
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1638
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1641
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Inquisition abolished
1835
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Dies
1820
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Totally blind, he petitions to be freed but is denied
Book describing heliocentric theory removed from Vatican's banned list
1992
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Church formally abmits his views are correct
Letter
Search for ”galileo letter grand duchess” and click
on the second link to skim his letter. Do not close
the window.
Letter
Type of document
Date of document
Author(s) or creator(s) of the document
Other information about the author indicated on the
document (position, title, etc.)
For what audience was the document written?
Letter
Type of document: Letter
Date of document: 1615
Author(s) or creator(s) of the document: Galileo Galilei
Other information about the author indicated on the
document (position, title, etc.): None
For what audience was the document written? The
Grand Duchess Christina of Tuscany
Letter
List 2 or more things the document tells you about the
author's view of the physical world (read paragraph
6)
What does the author say about the relationship
between religion and science? (read paragraph 2)
Letter
List 2 or more things the document tells you about the
author's view of the physical world. 1. The sun is
motionless. 2. The earth revolves around the sun.
What does the author say about the relationship
between religion and science? Passages from the
Bible, incorrectly understood, have been used by his
detractors to support their own opinions, rather than
the truth.
Letter
How does (or does not) the author address the concerns of
Roman Catholic Church officials as expressed in the Galileo
Indictment?
How did the author stay out of trouble with the church
authorities? (or, if the document is by Galileo, why did he
get in trouble with church authorities?) (read paragraphs 2, 4,
5, 6)
Letter
How does (or does not) the author address the concerns of
Roman Catholic Church officials as expressed in the Galileo
Indictment? It was written before the indictment.
How did the author stay out of trouble with the church
authorities? (or, if the document is by Galileo, why did he
get in trouble with church authorities?) (read paragraphs 2, 4,
5, 6) He said detractors think their opinions are more
important than the truth, they are obstinate, he laughs at
them, and they are hiding their lies.
It's Your Turn
Read Galileo's Indictment. With two other
partners, fill out the worksheet your teacher will
pass out. To read the indictment, search for
”galileo indictment.”
Tracking Record
Homework
W3, L9 8/16
1. Submit group project for progress check. Due 8/23
2. Answer each question with three sentences:
1. Why was the church upset with Galileo?
2. Was Galileo right and the church wrong?
3. The name “Scientific Revolution” implies this era was
one of change. What are the old and new values that
are coming into conflict, based on these sources?
(think
about issues such authority, sources of knowledge,
and
the individual in society, for example).
4. Is a conflict such as this possible today? Why and how?
5. Will this information help us in the future and help us
understand the modern world? How?