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On Trial For Reason: Science, Religion, and Culture in the Galileo Affair
In 1633 the Roman Inquisition condemned Galileo as a suspected heretic for defending the astronomical theory that the earth moves, and implicitly assuming the theological principle that Scripture is not scientific authority. This controversial event has sent ripples down the centuries, embodying the struggle between a thinker who came to be regarded as the Father of Modern Science, and an institution that is both one of the world's greatest religions and most ancientorganizations. The trial has been cited both as a clear demonstration of the incompatibility between science and religion, and also a stunning exemplar of rationality, scientific method, and critical thinking.Much has been written about Galileo's trial, but most works argue from a particular point of view - that of secular science against the Church, or justifying the religious position. Maurice Finocchiaro aims to provide a balanced historical account that draws out the cultural nuances. Unfolding the intriguing narrative of Galileo's trial, he sets it against its contemporary intellectual and philosophical background. In particular, Finocchiaro focuses on the contemporary arguments and evidencefor and against the Earth's motion, which were based on astronomical observation, the physics of motion, philosophical principles about the nature of knowledge, and theological principles about the authority and the interpretation of Scripture. Following both sides of the controversy and itsfar-reaching philosophical impact, Finocchiaro unravels the complex relationship between science and religion, and demonstrates how Galileo came to be recognised as a model of logical reasoning.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 19, 2020
This is a very fine text from Finocchiaro that does what very few historical works do nowadays. That is, it shines a light on an historical episode that many people think they understand, and may in fact hear referenced in day-to-day discussions, but rarely fully comprehend both from plain historical data through cultural, scientific, and religious implications. This complete treatment of the, "Galileo Affair," takes care of every possible angle.
It's strange and may seem superficially tedious to see a scientific explanation of some of the more basic physical principles we have understood for centuries but Finocchiaro effectively uses these explanations to show the complex initial relationship between the Copernican worldview and Galileo's early theorizing and observation, and how this relationship evolved as a result of further reason and direct study through the emergent technology of telescopes. Thus from the Copernican Revolution, through the Galileo Affair, and culminating with Newton's discoveries you get a firm baseline for how the world's understanding of something so basic as - does the earth move round the sun or vice versa - shifted completely in the following century.
What Finocchiaro also does well is examine the, "legal," basis for the first admonition from the Inquisition in 1616, how this admonition was bungled by the daft dignitaries in charge of it, and how these original charges came to bear on the actual conviction and house-arrest of 1633. That a group of unlettered prelates would dare to tell a scientist what to do let alone formulate a baseless and victimless crime of, "heresy" and have the authority to execute (in the case of Bruno) or imprison/place under house-arrest (Galileo) anyone purely for contradicting scripture is an obscure notion to 21st Century thinking, but exactly how this unfolded is important to understand as the author explicates.
Lastly, Finochiarro does a fine job summarizing the missteps that various historical, philosophical, and scientific figures have made in trying to understand and discuss, "The Galileo Affair." This covers everything from John Paul II's bizarre attempt to "rehabilitate," Galileo and also the inversion of reason that some recent philosophers have undertaken to legitimize/explain his initial conviction (most notably Feyerabend). Some are bound to see this as proof of there being no conflict between science and religion (a view that mostly comes from people trying to seem wise without putting much though to the issue) and others are bound to see this as the key episode that illustrates such a divide. Given that it has taken 300 years for the church to half-heartedly admit wrongdoing and that the initial conflict is only erased if you read scripture as if it were not discussing scientific matters at all and implicitly reject the concept of conviction for heresy, I would tend toward the latter view. However, that opinion reflects my own pre-existing bias, and at the very least, you will come away from this work with a finer historical grasp of the many dimensions surrounding this monumental moment in human history.
It's strange and may seem superficially tedious to see a scientific explanation of some of the more basic physical principles we have understood for centuries but Finocchiaro effectively uses these explanations to show the complex initial relationship between the Copernican worldview and Galileo's early theorizing and observation, and how this relationship evolved as a result of further reason and direct study through the emergent technology of telescopes. Thus from the Copernican Revolution, through the Galileo Affair, and culminating with Newton's discoveries you get a firm baseline for how the world's understanding of something so basic as - does the earth move round the sun or vice versa - shifted completely in the following century.
What Finocchiaro also does well is examine the, "legal," basis for the first admonition from the Inquisition in 1616, how this admonition was bungled by the daft dignitaries in charge of it, and how these original charges came to bear on the actual conviction and house-arrest of 1633. That a group of unlettered prelates would dare to tell a scientist what to do let alone formulate a baseless and victimless crime of, "heresy" and have the authority to execute (in the case of Bruno) or imprison/place under house-arrest (Galileo) anyone purely for contradicting scripture is an obscure notion to 21st Century thinking, but exactly how this unfolded is important to understand as the author explicates.
Lastly, Finochiarro does a fine job summarizing the missteps that various historical, philosophical, and scientific figures have made in trying to understand and discuss, "The Galileo Affair." This covers everything from John Paul II's bizarre attempt to "rehabilitate," Galileo and also the inversion of reason that some recent philosophers have undertaken to legitimize/explain his initial conviction (most notably Feyerabend). Some are bound to see this as proof of there being no conflict between science and religion (a view that mostly comes from people trying to seem wise without putting much though to the issue) and others are bound to see this as the key episode that illustrates such a divide. Given that it has taken 300 years for the church to half-heartedly admit wrongdoing and that the initial conflict is only erased if you read scripture as if it were not discussing scientific matters at all and implicitly reject the concept of conviction for heresy, I would tend toward the latter view. However, that opinion reflects my own pre-existing bias, and at the very least, you will come away from this work with a finer historical grasp of the many dimensions surrounding this monumental moment in human history.
November 29, 2019
The story of Galileo vs the Catholic Church is more interesting and nuanced than you know. Finocchiaro explores the original trial and the equally important series of reactions in the 400 years since. Detailed and organized throughout, “On Trial for Reason” is not light reading but it does an admirable job of setting a lot of the record straight. Highly recommended for readers willing to get into the scientific, historical, and philosophical weeds of this well-know but misunderstood intellectual shift.
May 9, 2022
A nuanced view of Galileo that respects the time and place of Galileo's story and from there dispels myths that have grown up around the controversy. Uses Galileo's own method of investigation as a model for working scientifically and more broadly philosophically.
A good book that is sometimes tedious.
A good book that is sometimes tedious.
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February 17, 2025I’m not scientifically inclined so it’s remarkable to me how well Finocchiaro was able to break down and explain the key scientific issues at play here. Comprehensive.
April 10, 2021
Galileo combined scientific empiricism and human rationality to defend Copernicanism, and by reflecting on his methods of argument we can build a useful model of critical reasoning.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews