The Trial of Galileo
We will learn why Galileo, one of the greatest scientists of all time, was convicted of heresy.
Dan Schwartz (PhD in philosophy)
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(12)
What's included
1 live meeting
1 in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Galileo was one of the most important scientists of all time, the discoverer of a “new science” of physics and an influential defender of the Copernican theory of the solar system. But because he was seen as questioning the Bible’s cosmology, he was convicted of heresy in 1633. Why did this happen, and what can we learn from this episode about the relationship between religion and science? This class covers the trial of Galileo from a historical and philosophical perspective. This one-time class will be lecture-based with opportunities for questions and discussion. The course will assume no prior knowledge.
Learning Goals
The goal of the course is for students to learn about some of Galileo’s achievements and the intellectual debates which led to Galileo’s 1633 conviction.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parents are advised that the course will discuss the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation from a historical perspective.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Primary Sources:
Galileo, The Starry Messenger
Galileo, Dialogue Concerning The Two Chief World Systems
Galileo, Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo (edited by Stillman Drake)
The Galileo Affair, A Documentary History (edited by Maurice Finocchario)
The Trial of Galileo (edited by Thomas Mayer)
Secondary Sources:
Galileo, Bellarmine, and the Bible, by Richard Blackwell
Routledge Guidebook to Galileo (edited by Maurice Finocchario)
Galileo Goes to Jail And Other Myths About Science and Religion, by Ronald Numbers
Joined July, 2023
4.9
12reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Doctoral Degree from University of California, San Diego
I have ten years of experience as a college philosophy professor and several years of experience as an instructor and teaching assistant before that. I have a PhD in philosophy from University of California San Diego, where I specialized in the history and philosophy of science. I have lectured and taught courses on Galileo to a variety of audiences.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$18
per classMeets once
60 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
1-10 learners per class
