Galileo's Heliocentric Beliefs

Epper si muove (Nonetheless, it moves). These three iconic words were said by Galileo when leaving his trial at the Holy office of the Inquisition in 1633. The Church made Galileo renounce his belief that the Earth revolved around the Sun. They threatened him not to speak with torture and death, but he still remained faithful to what he knew was right. In the early Renaissance, the Church controlled many aspects of society, including science. At the time, they believed that the Earth was the center of the universe with the Sun revolving around the earth (ptolemaic/geocentric view). The geocentric view was key to Christian influence, as evidence of this can be found in the bible and in church doctrine. Galileo’s views and scientific discoveries

Galileo saw this as an opportunity to spread his heliocentric views, as Barberini was a friend and admirer of his work. After visiting Pope Urban VIII numerous times, Galileo was promised that the Church viewed Galileo’s heliocentric beliefs as incorrect rather than heretical (The Trial of Galileo). Therupon, Galileo used this opportunity to prumulgate his views, and wrote (for many years) his magnum opus, “Dialogue on the Two Great World Systems” a comparative dialogue between Copernican (heliocentric) and Ptolemaic (geocentric) systems. This dialogue driven narrative between fictional characters, Salviati, Sagredo, and Simplicio was published in 1632. Salviati and Sagredo share Galileo’s beliefs, and Simplicio holds the church’s ptolemaic, geocentric beliefs. Simplicio is key in this narrative, because his fallacious arguments for geocentrism allow for Galileo to substantiate heliocentrism through the voices of Salviati and Sagredo. “Dialogue on the Two Great World Systems” is the core of Galileo’s stand for various reasons. This book is the manifestation of Galileo’s numerous years of observation and research of the universe. Galileo put all of his knowledge and arguments in this book with that corroborated heliocentrism. The “Dialogue on the Two Great World Systems” greatly offended Pope Urban VIII and the Church, because they were aware that their geocentric beliefs and arguments against heliocentrism

His obstinate stand was a key component of the Scientific Revolution, which lead to science transforming into an independent study impervious to religious authority. Influential scientists during this period of scientific thriving such as Galileo, Kepler, Newton, and Copernicus individually not only redefined their respective fields (Scientific Revolution (1550-1700)), but they galvanized future generations of scientists to think for themselves and question previously accepted knowledge. As Galileo once said, “I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.” This quote effectively represents the questioning nature fostered by Galileo and the ideals of the Scientific