Russell examines the impact on Catholic astronomers and the
Copernican system after Galileo was condemned by the Church. In short, they did
not notice it much beyond the borders of the Papal states as the power of the
inquisitors was next to nothing in other sovereign lands despite the supposed
ability to practice their own law in the nations that were followers of the
Church.
It is intriguing that nothing happened to the Copernican
system until Galileo came about. Kepler had already published his works, and
the Church paid him little mind. It is posited that this could be because
Kepler was keen to harmony and peace. He did not want to antagonize those that
did not agree with him. The same apparently cannot be said for Galileo. He wanted
to bring things to a head; him and his opponents both.
So what did this do? It caused the Holy Office to become
involved and make a judgment. They condemned the immobility of the sun more so
than the mobility of the earth. A distinction that it is unknown why they made
it, but made it they did. They also privately admonished Galileo and told him
to abandon his opinion and not teach it.
From there, the Congregation of the Index was informed, and
they released a general condemnation of the Copernican system that amounted to
saying it was false and contrary to scripture. Only three books were
specifically mentioned in a prohibition of Copernican works.
It is well taught that Galileo did end up facing a trial.
This trial did not happen until 1633, fourteen years after the last official
action took place in 1619. It was at this trial that the Copernican system was
ultimately openly labeled as heretical in nature.
Where the decree did not have much of an impact to the
following of the Copernican system, the condemnation of Galileo certainly did.
It stayed the hand of a number of astronomers when it came to publishing their
work. They did end up eventually publishing, but it took time for it to happen.
The takeaway I think is that the suppression of knowledge is
dangerous. Not only is it ultimately not going to work, people will find a way
to publish, it is going to put a certain air to the information that is being
published. This is something that is apparent in today's society. People see to
view things that are considered taboo or off limits to be of a high inherent
interest.
For students, I think it is important to reinforce the
concept that ideas are meant to be shared freely and without fear of being
condemned by an institutional or governmental body. This does not mean that
your peers cannot shout you down, they can and some of them undoubtedly will,
but it is not the job of higher powers that be to silence its citizens.
John L. Russell, "Catholic astronomers and the Copernican system after the condemnation of Galileo," Annals of Science, Vol. 46, pages 365-386 (1989)
