Work · Renaissance & Humanism
A Defence of Galileo
Written in 1616 during the first proceedings against Copernicanism; argues that the study of nature does not contradict Scripture and that theologians should not forbid it.
Introduction
Campanella wrote the “Defence of Galileo” in 1616 in prison in Naples, reportedly at the request of Cardinal Bonifacio Caetani, who was to give an opinion on Copernican astronomy for the Congregation of the Index; it was printed in Frankfurt in 1622. Without committing himself to the Copernican system, Campanella asks whether Galileo’s view contradicts Scripture and the Church Fathers and concludes that it does not: Scripture speaks to ordinary people and teaches salvation, not astronomy, and nature is a second book written by God. Forbidding the free study of nature would harm the Church and its credibility. The decree of 5 March 1616 nevertheless suspended Copernicus’s main work until corrected. Campanella remained in contact with Galileo and in 1632 praised his “Dialogue” in letters to him.
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