The Trial of Galileo: Essential Documents

Description

In 1633, the Roman Inquisition condemned Galileo as a suspected heretic for defending Copernicus's hypothesis of the earth's motion and denying the scientific authority of Scripture. This book draws upon Maurice A. Finocchiaro's earlier works, especially The Galileo Affair: A Documentary History (1989), to provide a brief, new documentary history of Galileo's trial that is simultaneously the most user-friendly and inclusive available.

Maurice A. Finocchiaro is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"Finocchiaro is the foremost scholar and translator of Galileo' works and this book an invaluable collection of key documents concerning the 'reatest scandal of Christendom'-the trial and condemnation of the founder of modern science as a heretic by the Roman Inquisition in 1633. The book follows and complements Finocchiaro' magisterial work Retrying Galileo:1633-1992 , and provides essential, original source material concerning the facts and issues indispensable for scholars, students and educated lay persons. Finocchiaro's masterly introductory essay provides a valuable guide to the history and issues, particularly helping to dispel the many myths regarding the scientific, philosophical, theological and political issues raised by Galileo's trial. An unrivaled resource for understanding the 'alileo Affair'" --Peter Slezak, University of New South Wales "Finocchiaro has proven himself to be one of the most reliable guides to the life and work of Galileo, and especially to the circumstances surrounding his condemnation by the Roman Catholic Church in 1633. In this superb book he provides his own careful and accurate translations of the essential documents that enable a reader to form an intelligent opinion about what has become known as the Galileo Affair. The various documents reveal the intellectual and philosophical issues, the human, social, political, bureaucratic, and religious factors, and the difficulty of reaching easy assessments and conclusions in history. Although Finocchiaro provides an invaluable Introduction, outlining the major philosophical, religious, and personal issues involved, and the sequence of salient events, his main aim is to allow readers to form their own conclusions, based on the original documents. We should all be grateful to him for making this possible in such an accessible and compelling way." --John Henry, University of Edinburgh "Maurice Finocchiaro has done more than anyone to make the documents of Galileo' trial available in English. This volume includes crucial new materials, incorporates recent research, and provides a clear, succinct and accessible introduction to one of the most fascinating episodes in the relations between science and religion, whose implications are still with us today." Paula Findlen, Stanford University