Retrying Galileo, 1633–1992"This is must reading for historians of science and a delight for the interested public. From his access to many primary sources in the Vatican Library and from his broad knowledge of the history of the 17th century, Finocchiaro acquaints readers in an interesting manner with the historical facts of Galileo's trial, its aftermath, and its repercussions. Unlike many other works which present predetermined and, at times, prejudiced judgments, this work provides exhaustive evidence to allow readers to develop their own informed opinion on the subject.”—George V. Coyne, Director, Vatican Astronomical Observatory “The tragic condemnation of Galileo by the Roman Catholic Church in 1633 has become the single most potent symbol of authoritarian opposition to new ideas. Pioneering in its scope, Finocchiaro's book provides a fascinating account of how the trial and its cultural significance have been freshly reconstructed by scholars and polemicists down the ages. With a philosopher's eye for fine distinctions, the author has written an exciting commentary on the successive appearance of new primary sources and their exploitation for apologetic and secular purposes.”—John Hedley Brooke, author of Science and Religion: Some Historical Perspectives "If good history begins with good facts, then Retrying Galileo should be the starting point for all future discussions of the post-trial phase of the Galileo affair. Maurice Finocchiaro's myth-busting documentary history is not only a repository of little-known sources but a pleasure to read as well.”—Ronald L. Numbers, co-editor of When Christianity and Science Meet “Retrying Galileo tells the less well-known half of the Galileo affair: its long and complex history after 1633. Finocchiaro has performed an invaluable service in writing a book that explores how the trial and condemnation of Galileo has been received, debated, and reinterpreted for over three and a half centuries. We are not yet done with this contentious story.”—Paula E. Findlen, Ubaldo Pierotti Professor of Italian History and Director of the Science, Technology and Society Program, Stanford University |
Contents
The Condemnation of Galileo 1633 | 7 |
Promulgation and Diffusion of the News 16331651 | 26 |
Viviani Auzout Leibniz 16541704 | 86 |
Mythmaking or Enlightenment? | 108 |
Incompetence or Enlightenment? | 126 |
New Lies Documents Myths Apologies 17581797 | 154 |
Napoleonic Wars and Trials 18101821 | 175 |
The Inquisition on Galileos Side? | 193 |
Tricentennial Rehabilitation 19411947 | 275 |
The Paschini Affair 19411979 | 318 |
Pope John Paul II 19791992 | 338 |
Unfinished Business | 359 |
NOTES | 367 |
429 | |
467 | |
A Miscarriage of Justice? | 241 |
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Common terms and phrases
abjuration Anfossi anti-Copernican arguments astronomical authority Baldini Bellarmine Bellarmine's biblical Brandmüller and Greipl Cardinal Catholic censure century chapter Church claim condemnation of Galileo contrary to Scripture Copernican system Copernicus Copernicus's criticism D'Alembert decree defend demonstration Descartes Dialogue discussion doctrine documents earth's motion edition error fact faith Father Favaro 19 Finocchiaro 1989 folios Galilean Galileo affair Galileo Galilei Galileo's condemnation Galileo's trial Gebler Gemelli geokinetic heliocentrism heresy heretical Holy Office hypothesis imprimatur Index Inquisition Inquisition's inquisitor interpretation issue Italian Jesuit John Paul Koestler Leibniz letter Letter to Castelli Maccarrone Mallet manuscript Marini Mayaud numbers Olivieri opinion Pagano papal Paschini passage philosophical physical pope Pope Urban VIII Poupard prohibition published question quoted reason regard Riccioli Roman Roman Inquisition Rome Sacred Congregation scientific sentence Settele Settele's Soccorsi special injunction theologians theological thesis tion Tiraboschi torture translation truth Vatican Vatican Secret Archives Viviani Voltaire wrote