HoP 460 - Trial and Error - Galileo and the Inquisition

The Struggle Between Science and Authority

The historical conflict between scientific discovery and established authority is illustrated through the case of Galileo Galilei and the Catholic Church's opposition to heliocentrism. Initially proposed by Copernicus, heliocentrism faced substantial resistance partly because it contradicted long-standing beliefs and interpretations of scripture. Galileo’s support for heliocentrism, emphasized through his telescopic discoveries, put him at odds with the Church's stance, which sought to maintain its authority in interpreting biblical texts. The Catholic Church's response was not merely anti-scientific but tied to socio-political concerns during the Counter-Reformation, highlighting the tension between emerging scientific evidence and institutional power.