preview

What Is Galileo A Heretic

Decent Essays

Galileo Galilei was a very influential and controversial astronomer, scientist, mathematician, teacher, and physicist. His life began in the sixteenth century and ended in the seventeenth, in which he penned several books that supported the Copernican theory of a heliocentric solar system. In the words of Drake S. (1957) “... the works of Galileo are well written, and throw light upon the origins of modern science…”(Pg. 2) Although Galileo was soon deemed a heretic by the Roman Catholic church, he continued diligently challenging Aristotelian thought and doctrine and expressing his support of the Copernican theory. As he continued to make discoveries that supported this theory, the church continued to label him as a heretic, and eventually …show more content…

However, he was able to earn a place as an instructor within the University of Pisa, teaching mathematics and performing some of his most famous experiments. According to Unknown, 2008, “In 1586 he composed a short work, La bilancetta, in which he reconstructed the reasoning of Archimedes in the detection of the goldsmith’s fraud in the matter of the crown of Hieron and described an improved hydrostatic balance.”(Early Years). He was also able to study physics and publish works such as The Little Balance and Du Motu(On Motion), beginning to oppose Aristotelian views about the behaviour of moving objects. As Galileo grew to reject Aristotelian concepts, he became more unpopular and eventually lost his position in the University of Pisa. Fortunately, he had many students who helped him earn another position within the University of Padua. It was near this time that his father, Vincenzo, passed away and Galileo was forced to become the leader of his family and caretaker of his younger brother, Michelagnolo (The Famous People website, 2015; Biography.com Editors, n.d.; Fermi, L., & Bernardini, G., 1961; Unknown,

Get Access