Why are the trials and tribulations of Galileo often considered both predicative of the future of Western Civilization as well as a perfect encapsulation of the context of his own time?
Galileo was a brilliant scientist who lived in early 17th century papal Europe. He is sometimes even referred to as the father of modern science because of his discoveries in mathematics, physics and astronomy. Galileo was persecuted by the church for his beliefs on a heliocentric universe. This was the idea that the Earth moved around the Sun instead of the common belief of a Earth centered universe. Galileo’s persecution by the church for his controversial support of heliocentric ideas was the catalyst for the scientific revolution and the birth of the scientific method.
In 17th century Europe to go against openly the ideas of scripture and the Catholic Church could be dangerous, even deadly. Galileo was one such man. When he learned of Copernicus’ theory that the Earth and planets orbited the sun rather than the sun and the planets orbiting Earth he became a supporter of the idea. Galileo went on to adopt an unorthodox approach to scripture. He believed that scripture should not be taken literally when one was looking at poetry creative works in scripture as they may not necessarily be true. This was a very uncommon way to look at the bible during his time because most scholars took scripture literally word for word. In 1616 even though the Pope specifically asked Galileo to publish a book with voiced the arguments for Geocentricism and Heliocentricism equally so as not to seem to advocate Heliocentricism Galileo published an argument for heliocentric ideas. The Catholic Church tried Galileo for heresy and he was forced to denounce his beliefs and put to house arrest for the rest of his life.
17th century Europe was not the time to be questioning the ideas of men who studied and took each and every word of scripture literally. The story of Galileo is of a man who was forced to renounce his beliefs and writings because of the time he lived in. Galileo’s ideas, which stemmed from Copernicus’ theories, contradicted scripture. In summary, Scriptures basically said that the Earth did not move and that the universe revolved around it. Because of this Galileo’s writings and ideas about a heliocentric universe were taken by many as heretical nonsense. Also during this time most of the educated men were men of the church, this meant that most of Galileo’s peers followed the biblical view of the universe so Galileo had very little support. Galileo was a man whose ideas were ahead of his time. Later scholars took the ideas and methods that Galileo and other intellectuals at the time were developing, this became known as the scientific revolution and the scientific method.
Although Galileo was confined to house arrest for the rest of his life his trials and tribulations can be predicative of the future of Western civilization. The Catholic Church was actually considering his ideas but because of how brashly he published them after the Pope specifically told him to make his book objective he was tried for heresy. This can be indicative of what the future held for Europe in terms of new scientific discoveries that contradicted scripture. The Church was willing to revise its ideas as long as there was concrete proof that the writings of scripture were incorrect. Although Galileo was indeed tried for heresy after pressure by his enemies the way the Church interpreted the ideas of scripture was more flexible than it had ever been before. Catholic Europe would still be completely under the thrall of the Popes for some time but ways were opening for new scientific discovery.
Galileo and his life are an example of science coming at odds with the church and his example would not be the last. His persecution stemmed from publishing ideas that contradicted scripture, his story began the scientific revolution and was the first case of the controversial “battle” between science and religion for many centuries to come.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Dutch Republic Free Response Essay
Discuss the ways that the 17th century Dutch Republic differed from it’s neighbors, telling how these differences contributed to the country’s success.
Coming out of the horrible religious wars in the 16th century was the Dutch Republic. Unlike most of Europe the Dutch republic had no autocrat or dictator, it was one of the few republics in Europe at its time and for the most part it was controlled by the wealthy and educated middle class of its 7 different provinces. It became the most successful trade nation of its time, with an unrivalled trading fleet and many monopolies on popular wares. The frugality in which the Dutch conducted themselves dictated their lifestyle and allowed them to focus on success rather than personal pleasures. Differing from its neighboring countries in many aspects, the Dutch rose from a newly created republic to the most influential and successful nation in 17th century because of their powerhouse economy, their unique system of Government and a mentality which allowed them to get the job done and done the best.
In the 17th century the Dutch economy and was booming in trade and agriculture. They had around 10000 trade ships trading in goods from all around the World and they were exploring the limits of the known World. At home the Dutch had created a centralized Bank whose currency, the florin, became the World standard of value much like the Dollar is today. Moreover they had developed their agriculture to specialize in dairy and tulips which they exported regularly. Amsterdam was the trade center of the known World; this made the Dutch economically exceptional in success among the rest of its European neighbors.
The Dutch system of Government itself was unique and different for its time. Republics were few and far between in Europe, most nations being controlled by autocratic ruling families. The Dutch however had a system nothing like this. The original republic consisted of 7 provinces each controlled mainly by elected middle class leaders. These leaders were usually successful merchants or bankers and they represented their province at the assembly in the un-official capital of the republic Hague. This system of Government allowed for a nation that did not focus so much on political intrigue with foreign countries and War but prioritized the accumulation of wealth and power for the Dutch republic. The countries government also allowed general religious freedom among its inhabitants so Jews and other minority groups congregated in the Dutch provinces. Because of this the republic became culturally enriched and new ideas flowed through its people. The Dutch government was the most successful of it’s time because it focused on accumulating wealth and it did not prosecute peoples for their religion which made the country diverse.
The frugality and work ethic of the Dutch people was something to marvel at during the 17th century. The people tried not to live in excess as they considered that only worthy of their French counterparts who they disliked and the Calvinist religion which became followed by the majority of the population forbid living in excess. One British ambassador by the name of William Temple wrote, “The merchants and tradesmen are of mighty industry. Never any country traded so much and consumed so little. They buy infinitely, but 'tis to sell again.” The Dutch work ethic was very strong as well. The typical Dutchman was ambitious and hardworking and strived for success. This mentality gave rise to a dominant middle class of smart and wealthy men. The Dutch people’s mentality allowed them to have the most successful middle class in Europe.
The Dutch influence and success peaked in the 17th century and later declined because they did not have sufficient military forces to consolidate their holdings worldwide. However, in the 17th century the Dutch were the most successful. Not because they had a huge military or because they could intimidate other countries into doing their will like other powerful nations at the time but because of the average Dutch middle class man who was the foundation of Dutch success.
Works Cited:
Doenecke, Justus D. "The Dutch Republic in the 17th Century." Website Moved. Web. 13 Dec. 2010..
Coming out of the horrible religious wars in the 16th century was the Dutch Republic. Unlike most of Europe the Dutch republic had no autocrat or dictator, it was one of the few republics in Europe at its time and for the most part it was controlled by the wealthy and educated middle class of its 7 different provinces. It became the most successful trade nation of its time, with an unrivalled trading fleet and many monopolies on popular wares. The frugality in which the Dutch conducted themselves dictated their lifestyle and allowed them to focus on success rather than personal pleasures. Differing from its neighboring countries in many aspects, the Dutch rose from a newly created republic to the most influential and successful nation in 17th century because of their powerhouse economy, their unique system of Government and a mentality which allowed them to get the job done and done the best.
In the 17th century the Dutch economy and was booming in trade and agriculture. They had around 10000 trade ships trading in goods from all around the World and they were exploring the limits of the known World. At home the Dutch had created a centralized Bank whose currency, the florin, became the World standard of value much like the Dollar is today. Moreover they had developed their agriculture to specialize in dairy and tulips which they exported regularly. Amsterdam was the trade center of the known World; this made the Dutch economically exceptional in success among the rest of its European neighbors.
The Dutch system of Government itself was unique and different for its time. Republics were few and far between in Europe, most nations being controlled by autocratic ruling families. The Dutch however had a system nothing like this. The original republic consisted of 7 provinces each controlled mainly by elected middle class leaders. These leaders were usually successful merchants or bankers and they represented their province at the assembly in the un-official capital of the republic Hague. This system of Government allowed for a nation that did not focus so much on political intrigue with foreign countries and War but prioritized the accumulation of wealth and power for the Dutch republic. The countries government also allowed general religious freedom among its inhabitants so Jews and other minority groups congregated in the Dutch provinces. Because of this the republic became culturally enriched and new ideas flowed through its people. The Dutch government was the most successful of it’s time because it focused on accumulating wealth and it did not prosecute peoples for their religion which made the country diverse.
The frugality and work ethic of the Dutch people was something to marvel at during the 17th century. The people tried not to live in excess as they considered that only worthy of their French counterparts who they disliked and the Calvinist religion which became followed by the majority of the population forbid living in excess. One British ambassador by the name of William Temple wrote, “The merchants and tradesmen are of mighty industry. Never any country traded so much and consumed so little. They buy infinitely, but 'tis to sell again.” The Dutch work ethic was very strong as well. The typical Dutchman was ambitious and hardworking and strived for success. This mentality gave rise to a dominant middle class of smart and wealthy men. The Dutch people’s mentality allowed them to have the most successful middle class in Europe.
The Dutch influence and success peaked in the 17th century and later declined because they did not have sufficient military forces to consolidate their holdings worldwide. However, in the 17th century the Dutch were the most successful. Not because they had a huge military or because they could intimidate other countries into doing their will like other powerful nations at the time but because of the average Dutch middle class man who was the foundation of Dutch success.
Works Cited:
Doenecke, Justus D. "The Dutch Republic in the 17th Century." Website Moved. Web. 13 Dec. 2010.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Great fire of London links
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=113041917894041223574.00049646761c55b129cec&t=h&z=14
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=us&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=102698758919003605813.0004964676770de983be4
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&gl=us&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=102698758919003605813.0004964676770de983be4
Monday, December 6, 2010
Galileo Free Response #1
Why are the trials and tribulations of Galileo often considered both predicative of the future of Western Civilization as well as a perfect encapsulation of the context of his own time?
Galileo was a brilliant scientist who lived in early 17th century papal Europe. He is sometimes even referred to as the father of modern science because of his discoveries in mathematics, physics and astronomy. He was an apt supporter of the ideas of the astronomer Copernicus which contradicted the scriptural theory of geocentricism. This was the idea that the Sun moved around the Earth instead of the reality which is a heliocentric universe. Galileo’s trials and tribulations both point to the future of Europe and show the harsh realities of the time he lived in.
In 17th century Europe to go against openly the ideas of scripture and the Catholic church could be dangerous, even deadly. Galileo was one such man. When he learned of Copernicus’ theory that the Earth and planets orbited the sun rather than the sun and the planets orbiting Earth he became a supporter of the idea. Galileo went on to adopt an unorthodox approach to scripture. He believed that scripture should not be taken literally when one was looking at poetry creative works in scripture as they may not necessarily be true. This was a very uncommon way to look at the bible during his time because most scholars took scripture literally word for word. In 1616 even though the Pope specifically asked Galileo to publish a book with voiced the arguments for Geocentricism and Heliocentricism equally so as not to seem to advocate Heliocentricism Galileo published an argument for heliocentric ideas. The Catholic Church tried Galileo for heresy and he was forced to denounce his beliefs and put to house arrest for the rest of his life.
17th century Europe was not the time to be questioning the ideas of men who studied and took each and every word of scripture literally. The story of Galileo is of a man who was forced to renounce his beliefs and writings because of the time he lived in. Galileo’s ideas, which stemmed from Copernicus’ theories, contradicted scripture. In summary, Scriptures basically said that the Earth did not move and that the universe revolved around it. Because of this Galileo’s writings and ideas about a heliocentric universe were taken by many as heretical nonsense. Also during this time most of the educated men were men of the church, this meant that most of Galileo’s peers followed the biblical view of the universe so Galileo had very little support. Galileo was a man whose ideas were ahead of his time.
Although Galileo was confined to house arrest for the rest of his life his trials and tribulations can be considered predicative of the future of Western civilization. The Catholic Church was actually considering his ideas but because of how brashly he published them after the Pope specifically told him to make his book objective he was tried for heresy. This can be indicative of what the future held for Europe in terms of new scientific discoveries that contradicted scripture. The Church was willing to revise its ideas as long as there was concrete proof that the writings of scripture were incorrect. Although Galileo was indeed tried for heresy after pressure by his enemies the way the Church interpreted the ideas of scripture was more flexible than it had ever been before. Catholic Europe would still be completely under the thrall of the Popes for some time but ways were opening for new scientific discovery.
Galileo and his life are an example of science coming at odds with the church and his example would not be the last. His persecution stemmed from publishing ideas that contradicted scripture, his story showed that the future of Europe would still be under heavy papal influence for some time and he lived much too ahead of his time.
Galileo was a brilliant scientist who lived in early 17th century papal Europe. He is sometimes even referred to as the father of modern science because of his discoveries in mathematics, physics and astronomy. He was an apt supporter of the ideas of the astronomer Copernicus which contradicted the scriptural theory of geocentricism. This was the idea that the Sun moved around the Earth instead of the reality which is a heliocentric universe. Galileo’s trials and tribulations both point to the future of Europe and show the harsh realities of the time he lived in.
In 17th century Europe to go against openly the ideas of scripture and the Catholic church could be dangerous, even deadly. Galileo was one such man. When he learned of Copernicus’ theory that the Earth and planets orbited the sun rather than the sun and the planets orbiting Earth he became a supporter of the idea. Galileo went on to adopt an unorthodox approach to scripture. He believed that scripture should not be taken literally when one was looking at poetry creative works in scripture as they may not necessarily be true. This was a very uncommon way to look at the bible during his time because most scholars took scripture literally word for word. In 1616 even though the Pope specifically asked Galileo to publish a book with voiced the arguments for Geocentricism and Heliocentricism equally so as not to seem to advocate Heliocentricism Galileo published an argument for heliocentric ideas. The Catholic Church tried Galileo for heresy and he was forced to denounce his beliefs and put to house arrest for the rest of his life.
17th century Europe was not the time to be questioning the ideas of men who studied and took each and every word of scripture literally. The story of Galileo is of a man who was forced to renounce his beliefs and writings because of the time he lived in. Galileo’s ideas, which stemmed from Copernicus’ theories, contradicted scripture. In summary, Scriptures basically said that the Earth did not move and that the universe revolved around it. Because of this Galileo’s writings and ideas about a heliocentric universe were taken by many as heretical nonsense. Also during this time most of the educated men were men of the church, this meant that most of Galileo’s peers followed the biblical view of the universe so Galileo had very little support. Galileo was a man whose ideas were ahead of his time.
Although Galileo was confined to house arrest for the rest of his life his trials and tribulations can be considered predicative of the future of Western civilization. The Catholic Church was actually considering his ideas but because of how brashly he published them after the Pope specifically told him to make his book objective he was tried for heresy. This can be indicative of what the future held for Europe in terms of new scientific discoveries that contradicted scripture. The Church was willing to revise its ideas as long as there was concrete proof that the writings of scripture were incorrect. Although Galileo was indeed tried for heresy after pressure by his enemies the way the Church interpreted the ideas of scripture was more flexible than it had ever been before. Catholic Europe would still be completely under the thrall of the Popes for some time but ways were opening for new scientific discovery.
Galileo and his life are an example of science coming at odds with the church and his example would not be the last. His persecution stemmed from publishing ideas that contradicted scripture, his story showed that the future of Europe would still be under heavy papal influence for some time and he lived much too ahead of his time.
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