Galileo is very famous for two primary things: for the efficient use of the telescopes he skillfully used, and by his trial by the Roman Inquisition.
With the aid of his telescopes was that he published the first drawings of the Moon craters and irregularities.
However, respect to Inquisition's trial, we take for given that Galileo was forced to abjure of his convictions respect the rotation of the Earth around the Sun.
We take for given that he did it exactly as it reads in the document he signed: to repent of that astronomical "heretical doctrine".
I, Galileo .... kneeling before you, Most Eminent and Reverend Lord Cardinals ... 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... 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 ...
I abjure, curse, and detest the aforesaid errors ...
... I, Galileo Galilei, have abjured as above with my own hand.
Why take it for granted that Galileo really abjured from his conviction? Because he was "kneeling before you, Most Eminent and Reverend Lord Cardinals"? Because he signed the abjuration?
This looks too simplistic!
A controversial man who was the author of so many books, famous lecturer, friend of his contemporary aristocrats, was going to say "OK, you are right, I am wrong, punish me!" just like that?
This looks too simplistic!
Because, perhaps, deep in his mind he was weaving another plot: Galileo was signing a Trojan vengeance against his Inquisitors.
How was this Trojan horse going to work within the Roman Church?
Download The Vengeance of Galileo and other Critical Thinking Essays.
Also in this Website—
Bernard Fontenelle's obsession with life on the Moon.