Account of a Heretic: Galileo Galilei Thomas Aquinas defined heresy as, "a species of infidelity in men who, having professed the faith of Christ, corrupt its dogmas". The Catholic Church of the Middle Ages and Renaissance expanded on this definition and established specific attributes of heresy...
Have you ever gazed at the night sky, marveling at its vast, wondrous, infinite beauty? Have you ever watched a "falling star" blaze across the sky and made a wish? Have you ever studied the planets in school or looked at them through a telescope? Many people take the night sky for granted; one ...
"Galileo was that guy who invented the telescope." This is what most people say when they think about Galileo. However, Galileo did not even invent the telescope; he only made improvements to it so it could be used for astronomy. Galileo did use it to make many important discoveries about astro...
Summary Until Galileo's time science was a handmaiden of philosophy which in turn was the handmaiden of theology. Galileo according to Drake wished to free science from this bondage as the historical obstacle to its utility and progress. As Drake explains " the silencing and punishment of Galileo toward the end of a life devoted to scientific inquiry was an event of profound significance for our cultural history" (pg. iii). Drake's biography on Galileo meanders its way from the very beginning of Galileo's life and work right to the bitter end. Drake embodies a simple and pleasi...
