Trial of Galileo

3. Intro to the Scientific Revolution

Check in Question:
Which is better, Parks and Recreation or The Office?

Today’s EQ: What are the ideas behind the emergence of political revolutions during the long nineteenth century?

• ​Do Now: Have out your Unit 4 Booklet and Problem Notebook.

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Heliocentrism and the Catholic Church Timeline

Warm Up Question: Look at your timeline. Why might Galileo write a letter

defending himself at this time?

Document A: Galileo's Letter

Galileo wrote the following letter to Duchess Christina of Tuscany in 1615.

In this letter, he defends himself against the charges of heresy (going against church teachings).

Open Ended

 According to Galileo, why do some people think his teachings

are heretical (an opinions that goes against church teachings)?

Open Ended

How does Galileo defend himself against these charges?

Document B: Cardinal Bellarmine

Cardinal Robert Bellarmine was in charge of dealing with difficult issues

connected to the Church’s power and beliefs during the Galileo controversy. He

wrote the following letter to Paolo Antonio Foscarini in response to Foscarini’s

book defending Galileo. Historians don’t believe Bellarmine ever saw Galileo’s

1615 letter (Document A).

Open Ended

What evidence does Cardinal Bellarmine use to prove “The Bible passages about the earth standing still should not have been

interpreted literally.” (list all 4)

Word Cloud

Galileo argues that the matter of the scientific nature of the universe is not a matter of ones salvation but in fact only a matter of scientific fact. What types of evidence does Cardinal Bellarmine use to respond to this claim? (use 1-2 words)

Open Ended

Why do you think the Catholic Church was so committed to defending the literal meaning of the Bible passages? (think back to our discussions around the flagellants during the Black Death)

Document C: The Condemnation of Galileo

In 1632, Galileo, who had been teaching and writing about the idea that the Earth

moved around the sun, was summoned to Rome to stand trial. After questioning

the relevant witnesses, the judges issued the following condemnation of Galileo.

Poll

Given what you know about the time period,
how do you think the Catholic Church ruled in Galileo’s case?

• In favor of Galileo

• Against Galileo

Word Cloud

By the end of the trial, what was the Catholic Church’s position

on the heliocentric theory? (use 1-2 words)

Open Ended

 What two reasons did the Church give for declaring Galileo was

a heretic?

Document D: New York Times Article

In 1979, Pope John Paul II ordered an investigation of the Catholic

Church’s treatment of Galileo. The following article from 1992 summarizes

the conclusions of the investigation.

Open Ended

Why did Pope John Paul say the Church’s treatment of Galileo

was wrong?

Open Ended

Why was it easier for the Church to side with Galileo in 1992

than in 1633?

Wrap Up Question

Open Ended

Why do you believe the Church feared Galileo and scientific development so much?