Recantation of Galileo (June 22, 1633) HS / Science Conformity, Truth, Principle, Punishment During the week prior to the seminar, have a three dimensional model of the solar system on display in the classroom. Also, display a chart that shows scientific discoveries or changes in thinking such as the phlogiston theory; Pluto s demotion from a planet; names of dwarf planets in the Kuiper belt; gravity waves; the existence of water on Mars. Include, if possible, some discoveries and ideas that are so current that they are new to your students. Have students choose one new discovery or idea that is accepted today (eg. using motor vehicles over horse drawn wagons.) Ask students to rank the importance of these discoveries, or describe one new discovery and how it has changed our lives today. Discuss how this new discovery might have caused some people to not be in favor of it; and what it took to win over most of the public to this new discovery or idea. 1
Distribute the text of Galileo s Recantation. Anticipate what it will be like. Ask students to locate the sentence-ending punctuation (circle the periods) and number the sentences (there are seven) as you read it aloud slowly and deliberately. The complete documents of the Papal Condemnation (conviction) and Galileo s Recantation are located at: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/galileo/recantation.html Share as appropriate: New discoveries in science often call for changes in our understanding of how the world operates. The hypothesis of Copernicus that the sun and not the earth was the center of the universe won general acceptance only when it was verified by observation and formulated in terms of scientific law. The work of Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) furthered the acceptance of Copernican ideas and added a great deal of new knowledge. Galileo s work demonstrated that many accepted notions were wrong. Galileo made a telescope and used it to prove his assertion that there was no difference between heavenly bodies and the earth. Although some of his opponents refused to look through his telescope, he was able to prove that the moon had a rough surface like that of the earth and the surface of the sun was not perfect but covered with spots. He noticed that Jupiter had a number of satellite moons and looked like a miniature solar system. He proved that all bodies, in the absence of air friction, fall at the same speed regardless of weight, thus discrediting a long accepted notion. His ideas on the nature of the universe got him into trouble with the Inquisition, first in 1615, and again in 1633. In 1633, Galileo, old and sick, was frightened by the threat of torture into signing a complete recantation of his work. Together with students, read The Conviction as background to the Recantation. from The Conviction Whereas you, Galileo, son of the late Vincenzo Galilei, Florentine, aged seventy years, were in the year 1615 denounced to this Holy Office for holding as true the false doctrine taught by some that the Sun is the center of the world and immovable and that the Earth moves, and also with a diurnal motion; for having disciples to whom you taught the same doctrine; for holding correspondence with certain mathematicians of Germany concerning the same; for having printed certain letters, entitled "On the Sunspots," wherein you developed the same doctrine as true.the proposition that the Sun is the center of the world and does not move from its place is absurd and false philosophically and formally heretical, because it is expressly contrary to Holy Scripture. 2
The proposition that the Earth is not the center of the world and immovable but that it moves, and also with a diurnal motion, is equally absurd and false philosophically and theologically considered at least erroneous in faith... Therefore by our order you were cited before this Holy office, where, being examined upon our oath, you acknowledged the book to be written and published by you. And whereas it appeared to us that you had not stated the full truth with regard to your intention, we thought it necessary to subject you to a rigorous examination at which (without prejudice, however, to the matters confessed by you and set forth as above with regard to your said intention) you answered like a good Catholic. Therefore, having seen and maturely considered the merits of this your cause, together with your confessions and excuses abovementioned, and all that ought justly to be seen and considered, we have arrived at the underwritten final sentence against you: Invoking, therefore, the most holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ and of His most glorious Mother, ever Virgin Mary... We say, pronounce, sentence, and declare that you, the said Galileo, by reason of the matters adduced in trial, and by you confessed as above, have rendered yourself in the judgment of this Holy Office vehemently suspected of heresy, namely, of having believed and held the doctrine... that the Sun is the center of the world and does not move from east to west and that the Earth moves and is not the center of the world; and that an opinion may be held and defended as probably after it has been declared and defined to be contrary to the Holy Scripture; and that consequently you have incurred all the censures and penalties imposed... in the sacred canons. From which we are content that you be absolved, provided that, first, with a sincere heart and unfeigned faith, you abjure, curse, and detest before use the aforesaid errors and heresies and every other error and heresy contrary to the Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church in the form to be prescribed by us for you. And in order that this your grave and pernicious error and transgression may not remain altogether unpunished and that you may be more cautious in the future and an example to others that they may abstain from similar delinquencies, we ordain that the book of the Dialogues of Galileo Galilei be prohibited by public edict. We condemn you to the formal prison of this Holy office during our pleasure, and by way of salutary penance we enjoin that for three years to come you repeat once a week at the seven penitential Psalms. Reserving to ourselves liberty to moderate, commute or take off, in whole or in part, the aforesaid penalties and penance. And so we say, pronounce, sentence, declare, ordain, and reserve in this and in any other better way and form which we can and may rightfully employ. [Signed:] F. Cardinal of Ascoli B. Cardinal Gessi G. Cardinal Bentivoglio F. Cardinal Verospi Fr. D. Cardinal of Cremona M. Cardinal Ginetti Fr. Ant. s Cardinal of. S. Onofrio 3
[Three judges did not sign the sentence: Francesco Barberini, Caspar Borgia, and Laudivio Zacchia.] Read the text from Galileo s Recantation aloud again, and ask students to identify any words with which they are unfamiliar. Provide brief word meanings for students to note in the margin near these words in the text. Be certain to include intimidated, adduce, cogency, contravening. Divide the class into seven groups and randomly assign one sentence to each group. Allow time for each group to compose a sentence, paraphrasing their sentence from the recantation in modern English. Share the resulting sentences aloud while all participants take notes on their copies of the text. 4
What one word or phrase from the text of the Recantation would you choose to characterize the text? (Allow time for participants to locate and mark the word or phrase they d choose, then contribute as a round-robin response) Why did you choose that word or phrase? (spontaneous discussion) What were the goals of the people who composed the Recantation of Galileo? What evidence do you see of this in the text? What strategies did they use to achieve this goal? Refer to the text. Based on the text, what is it about Galileo or his theories that frightened the priests of the inquisition, causing their insistence that Galileo sign a recantation? What rhetorical mistakes did the priests make, if any, in composing this recantation? Do you think that Galileo should be held responsible for the message contained in this recantation? Why or why not Based on this text and out discussion, what is the truth and how do we, as human beings, know the truth? 5
Students imagine Galileo speaking the Recantation written by the priests of the Inquisition, and imagine the thoughts that may have been circling in his mind as he spoke. Make notes about that inner monologue. Following our seminar discussion, write an essay in which you compare the truth that Galileo told with his telescope (and how he arrived at this truth) and the truth that the authors of the recantation told through their document (and how they arrived at this truth); and argue which is more true. Support your position with evidence from the text. (LDC Task#: 4 ) Have participants talk in pairs for a few minutes to share thoughts about what the writing task is asking and how they might respond. Have students plan an outline for their paragraphs, and select references from the original text to use in support of their points. 6
Challenge students to write their paragraphs according to their outlines. Students should refer to the text to illustrate their point of view. Participants work in pairs to reach each other s first draft. Point out a part that was clearly stated to the partner. Then the partner does the same in return. Allow time for full revisions. The finished revision is the second draft. Once the second draft is complete, have participants work in groups of three-four and this time take turns reading each other s writing slowly and silently, marking any spelling or grammar errors they find. (Have dictionaries and grammar handbooks available for reference.) Take this opportunity to clarify/reteach any specific grammar strategies you have identified your students needing. Give time for full revisions resulting in a third and final draft. Publish the final copies of the resulting written products in a collection to be shared on the class web site and as examples for future students. Steve Houser, Jr. Providence Spring Elementary (Retired) Text: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/galileo/recantation.html 7
from The Recantation I, Galileo, son of the late Vincenzo Galilei, Florentine, aged seventy years, arraigned personally before this tribunal, and kneeling before you, Most Eminent and Reverend Lord Cardinals, Inquisitors-General against heretical depravity throughout the entire Christian commonwealth, having before my eyes and touching with my hands, the Holy Gospels, swear that I have always believed, do believe, and by God's help will in the future believe, all that is held, preached, and taught by the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. But whereas -- after an injunction had been judicially intimated to me by this Holy Office, to the effect that I must altogether abandon the false opinion that the sun is the center of the world and immovable, and that the earth is not the center of the world, and moves, and that I must not hold, defend, or teach in any way whatsoever, verbally or in writing, the said false doctrine, and after it had been notified to me that the said doctrine was contrary to Holy Scripture -- I wrote and printed a book in which I discuss this new doctrine already condemned, and adduce arguments of great cogency in its favor, without presenting any solution of these, and for this reason I have been pronounced by the Holy Office to be vehemently suspected of heresy, that is to say, of having held and believed that the Sun is the center of the world and immovable, and that the earth is not the center and moves: Therefore, desiring to remove from the minds of your Eminences, and of all faithful Christians, this vehement suspicion, justly conceived against me, with sincere heart and unfeigned faith I abjure, curse, and detest the aforesaid errors and heresies, and generally every other error, heresy, and sect whatsoever contrary to the said Holy Church, and I swear that in the future I will never again say or assert, verbally or in 8
writing, anything that might furnish occasion for a similar suspicion regarding me; but that should I know any heretic, or person suspected of heresy, I will denounce him to this Holy Office, or to the Inquisitor or Ordinary of the place where I may be. Further, I swear and promise to fulfill and observe in their integrity all penances that have been, or that shall be, imposed upon me by this Holy Office. And, in the event of my contravening, (which God forbid) any of these my promises and oaths, I submit myself to all the pains and penalties imposed and promulgated in the sacred canons and other constitutions, general and particular, against such delinquents. So help me God, and these His Holy Gospels, which I touch with my hands. I, the said Galileo Galilei, have abjured, sworn, promised, and bound myself as above; and in witness of the truth thereof I have with my own hand subscribed the present document of my abjuration, and recited it word for word at Rome, in the Convent of Minerva, this twenty-second day of June, 1633. I, Galileo Galilei, have abjured as above with my own hand. 9