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The real issue is one of free inquiry versus authoritarianism (of any sort, not just religious). Galileo did not have all the facts, and he was reckless in how
by mannykannot 7y ago
The real issue is one of free inquiry versus authoritarianism (of any sort, not just religious). Galileo did not have all the facts, and he was reckless in how he addressed authority, but today, many of us are fortunate in living in circumstances where free inquiry (and also freedom of religion) became the norm.
- whatshisface 7y ago>he was reckless in how he addressed authority I think that might border on victim blaming. The Church had the power to persecute intellectuals who they felt were running too far, but that doesn't mean they had any rightful authority. If an illegitimate power is running around your society trying to get people to cow down to it, anyone who stands up to them by failing to cow down appropriately should be described as "heroic" moreso than "reckless." If nobody had ever stood up to the illegitimate authority, they would still be running things and imprisoning people for insulting them today. We are in great debt to everyone who was reckless in 1610.
- mannykannot 7y agoI did not intend it as such, but as an observation about the reality of his world. Fortunately, things have improved in many places. Galileo's act of resistance was one among many that brought about this change, and science was more of a beneficiary than a leader of this social revolution.
- TopHand 7y agoIf you truly believe this, just try asking questions regarding global climate change, even questions that pop up because your trying to grasp the model and see if you don't get smacked down and gagged!