Prior to Galileo, it was believed, as Aristotle had proclaimed, that everything on Earth was made out of a combination of four elements (earth, air, fire, or water) and that everything outside of the Earth was made of a fifth element called ether (University of Michigan). Aristotle and his followers also believed that everything outside the earth was perfectly spherical and smooth, apparently a quality of ether (University of Michigan). ... These assumptions were, of course, based on the works of Aristotle. ... After observing the phases of Venus, it seemed perfectly obvious to Galileo that...

• Word Count: 4135
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: High School

Summary Until Galileo's time science was a handmaiden of philosophy which in turn was the handmaiden of theology. ... This contradicted express statements by Aristotle concerning the heavens where no change could ever take place. The Church at the time accepted Aristotle's view that the heavens were made of perfect and unalterable substance called the "quintessence". ... Throughout the book Drake attempts to portray Galileo as a man striving for a new philosophy that would displace verbal exercise of Aristotle but unlike them did not set one forth. Drake comments that, "Aristotle&#...

• Word Count: 3037
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

For many centuries, there was very little scientific advancement due to a restraint the Catholic Church had over Europe during the Middle Ages, but this all changed during The Scientific Revolution. During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church had created a system of beliefs based on the teachings o...

• Word Count: 2877
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School