Galileo

It is hard to argue that the enlightenment does not heavily impact our lives today; and without the philosophers and scientists of that time, the world would be a completely different place. Galileo, a scientist, philosopher, and writer, was hugely important to our society’s advancement. With his advances in astronomy and the study of physics alone, he played a major role in our society’s advancement. However, even more important were his ideals that helped bring on the enlightenment and change the course of history.
In _____date_______, Galileo wrote a letter to the church addressing the church for throwing out evidence that the solar system is heliocentric. They did this because it contradicts the bible. He then counters with the fact that the bible often uses metaphors and symbolism to convey its message; therefore, it should not always be taken so literally. Then he goes on to explain that based on this, we should not use the bible to find scientific fact, but we should experiment and base our knowledge on that which we find through the senses. He stresses, however, the importance that the bible still has, and says that the bible should be appreciated for its messages rather than its statements.
“But Nature, on the other hand, is inexorable and immutable; she never transgresses the laws imposed upon her, or cares whit whether her abstruse treasons and methods of operation are understandable to men.” This is a very bold passage for Galileo to state to the church at this time. He is trying to tell the church nature rarely reveals its ways to men, and that answers must be sought out. Galileo ends the letter by saying God has given us senses so that we may discover, that He does not want us to simply have the answers. This docu...

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...ere suspended for this, and sued the school, stating that it violated their right to free speech (Robinson).
I believe that this document was crucial to the enlightenment, and without ideas like it, the world would be an entirely different place. The church would most likely still control the government, scientific study, and education. Also, the ideas that our nation were built on may have never emerged. Without these ideas, church would still be mandatory, and democracy would not likely have emerged. I believe this letter is important because it shows us the direct message of the philosophers at the time, unfiltered by how other view it.

Works Cited

Robinson, B. A. "Religion in U.S. Public Schools - Recent Developments." Religion in U.S. Public Schools - Recent Developments. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, 15 Jan. 2003. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.