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Galileo's Trial

Adults

This program will look at the ways Galileo’s scientific contributions undermined the predominant Catholic philosophy of his day, and the political circumstances that led to his trial & condemnation.

In 1633, Galileo Galilei, the most famous scientist in the world and a one-time close friend of the then reigning pope, Urban VIII, was put on trial for heresy by the Vatican. This program will look at the ways Galileo’s scientific contributions undermined the predominant Catholic philosophy of his day, and the political circumstances that led to his trial and condemnation. We will look at the question of whether Galileo was technically guilty of violating Church law, and whether his light punishment represented a retreat by Church authorities.