The "Galileo Affair" has been the locus of various and opposing
appraisals for centuries: some view it as an historical event
emblematic of the obscurantism of the Catholic Church, opposed a
priori to the progress of science; others consider it a tragic
reciprocal misunderstanding between Galileo, an arrogant and
troublesome defender of the Copernican theory, and his theologian
adversaries, who were prisoners of a narrow interpretation of
scripture. In" The Case of Galileo: A Closed Question?" Annibale
Fantoli presents a wide range of scientific, philosophical, and
theological factors that played an important role in Galileo's
trial, all set within the historical progression of Galileo's
writing and personal interactions with his contemporaries. Fantoli
traces the growth in Galileo Galilei's thought and actions as he
embraced the new worldview presented in "On the Revolutions of the
Heavenly Spheres," the epoch-making work of the great Polish
astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.Fantoli delivers a sophisticated
analysis of the intellectual milieu of the day, describes the
Catholic Church's condemnation of Copernicanism (1616) and of
Galileo (1633), and assesses the church's slow acceptance of the
Copernican worldview. Fantoli criticizes the 1992 treatment by
Cardinal Poupard and Pope John Paul II of the reports of the
Commission for the Study of the Galileo Case and concludes that the
Galileo Affair, far from being a closed question, remains more than
ever a challenge to the church as it confronts the wider and more
complex intellectual and ethical problems posed by the contemporary
progress of science and technology. In clear and accessible prose
geared to a wide readership, Fantoli has distilled forty years of
scholarly research into a fascinating recounting of one of the most
famous cases in the history of science. "This book is an excellent
account of the trial and condemnation of Galileo by the Inquisition
in 1633. It is a simplified and streamlined version adapted from
the erudite book on the topic for which Fantoli is well known and
highly respected among scholars. But like the erudite book this one
is well balanced with respect to the contrasts of science vs.
religion, Galileo vs. the Catholic Church, history vs. philosophy,
and factual details vs. contemporary relevance." --Maurice A.
Finocchiaro, University of Nevada Las Vegas "With his
characteristic analytical power, new insights, and sharp eye for
subtle nuances, Fantoli offers a highly contingent account of the
Galileo Affair. He argues that Galileo's abjuration was not a
foregone conclusion, but an unexpected turn two weeks before it
occurred. His provocative conclusion puts this fine history to work
today. He warns that new versions of the Galileo Affair lurk where
the Catholic Church's position has joined disputable biblical
interpretation to unsatisfactory dialogue with science, philosophy,
other forms of Christianity, and other religions." --Michael H.
Shank, University of Wisconsin-Madison "This sage, sensitive
account of one of the most infamous trials in history brims with
new insights. Annibale Fantoli, uniquely qualified to explore the
intricacies and implications of the case, has a finger on Galileo's
pulse throughout the ordeal of his accusation and condemnation.
Equally gripping is the author's depiction of the ongoing conflict
between science and faith--the very struggle Galileo tried to
avert--and what it portends for the future." --Dava Sobel, author
of "Galileo's Daughter and A More Perfect Heaven"
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