Thesis: In Galileo’s letter to the Grand Duchess of Christina, he asserts that passages from the Bible have no authority in scientific disputes and discoveries and that although Aristotle’s model of the universe may be wrong, he should still be appreciated as a great philosopher.
Ι. Defense of his Scientific Discovery
A. His Discovery
1. Earth revolves around sun not vice versa
a. They were always there, he did not put them there
b. Increase of known truths stimulates investigation, establishment, and growth of the arts, not their destruction
c. Copernicus relied on physical conclusions, not faith
d. God gave us intellect so we could use it.
2. Common sense of his teachings
a. Men of astronomical knowledge immediately accepted what he said.
b. If the people would charge him for heresy would simply look, they would be
unable to deny it.
ΙΙ. Bible has no authority on this matter
A. Absurdity of their argument
1. Knowledge is bad
a. Those who firmly hold on to the complete truth of the Bible believe to gain wisdom is somehow sinful b. Scripture is only source of argument against him c. Taking advantage of seduced masses to fight against him. 2. Vagueness a. Bible is very vague at points; hard to be taken literally b. His discoveries do not contradict the Bible if it is interpreted correctly 3. Missing the Point a. Those who see his discoveries as an attack on the truth of the Bible are forgetting its true message: the salvation of their souls through Jesus Christ
ΙΙΙ. Authority of Aristotle
A. Teachings are important, but not critical
1. Self Philosophy a. People should be their own guides in search of truth 2. His error a. He was wrong because of lack of scientific knowledge at the time B. Still good to study him 1. Philosopher a. He applauds study of his philosophy b. Just don’t blindly follow what he says c. People who study him should be historians, not philosophers
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