The Trial of Galileo

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In 1633, the Roman Inquisition condemned Galileo as a suspected heretic for defending Copernicus's hypothesis of the earth's motion and denying the scientific authority of Scripture. This book draws upon Maurice A. Finocchiaro's earlier works, especially The Galileo Affair: A Documentary History (1989), to provide a brief, new documentary history of Galileo's trial that is simultaneously the most user-friendly and inclusive available.

Reviews:

"While this slender volume will undoubtedly offer students and general readers a useful introduction and resource, it represents only the last of an impressive output of books and articles. . . . In Finocchiaro's boundless and continuous communion with Galileo's works and his letters, there is the attempt to lay the foundations for a truly balanced relationship between epistemology and history. . . . (Finocchiaro's) long term commitment to the Galileo affair has carved for him a permanent place in this branch of study."
     —Luigi Guerrini, in Galilaeana

"Finocchiaro is the foremost scholar and translator of Galileo's works and this book an invaluable collection of key documents concerning the 'greatest scandal of Christendom'—the trial and condemnation of the founder of modern science as a heretic by the Roman Inquisition in 1633. The book follows and complements Finocchiaro's magisterial work Retrying Galileo: 1633-1992, and provides essential, original source material concerning the facts and issues indispensable for scholars, students and educated lay persons. Finocchiaro’s masterly introductory essay provides a valuable guide to the history and issues, particularly helping to dispel the many myths regarding the scientific, philosophical, theological and political issues raised by Galileo’s trial. An unrivaled resource for understanding the 'Galileo Affair'."
     —Peter Slezak, University of New South Wales


"Finocchiaro has proven himself to be one of the most reliable guides to the life and work of Galileo, and especially to the circumstances surrounding his condemnation by the Roman Catholic Church in 1633. In this superb book he provides his own careful and accurate translations of the essential documents that enable a reader to form an intelligent opinion about what has become known as the Galileo Affair. The various documents reveal the intellectual and philosophical issues, the human, social, political, bureaucratic, and religious factors, and the difficulty of reaching easy assessments and conclusions in history. Although Finocchiaro provides an invaluable Introduction, outlining the major philosophical, religious, and personal issues involved, and the sequence of salient events, his main aim is to allow readers to form their own conclusions, based on the original documents. We should all be grateful to him for making this possible in such an accessible and compelling way."   
     —John Henry, University of Edinburgh

"Maurice Finocchiaro has done more than anyone to make the documents of Galileo's trial available in English. This volume includes crucial new materials, incorporates recent research, and provides a clear, succinct and accessible introduction to one of the most fascinating episodes in the relations between science and religion, whose implications are still with us today."
     —Paula Findlen, Stanford University

"Finocchiaro's short summary of Galileo's trial and the surrounding circumstances gives the reader a brilliant perspective on the many dimensions of the affair. . . . Finocchiaro's book offers the reader the opportunity to move away from a simple linear view of the historical events of Galileo's trial, a view frequently misinformed by myth and prejudice, to one which is informed by an awareness of the multidimensional interplay of early 17th century personalities, politics and perspectives."
     —Lincoln Green, on LeftCentral

"This short review cannot do justice to Finocchiaro's informative study. Suffice it to say, anyone who dares to venture an opinion on what René Descartes called "l'affair Galileo" must at least be familiar with the narrative and texts provided by Finocchiaro's detailed studies."
     —Jude Dougherty, in The Review of Metaphysics

Contents:

Preface; Acknowledgments; Introduction; Glossary of Terms and Names; Selected Bibliography

Chapter 1
Theological Issues: Copernicanism vs. Scripture
  1. Galileo's Letter to Castelli (21 December 1613)
  2. Galileo's Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina (1615)

Chapter 2
Epistemological Issues: Hypothesis vs. Reality
  3. Bellarmine's Letter to Foscarini (12 April 1615)
  4. Galileo's Considerations on the Copernican Opinion (1615)

Chapter 3
Earlier Proceedings: Prohibition of Copernicanism
  5. Lorini's Complaint (7 February 1615)
  6. Caccini's Deposition (20 March 1615)
  7. Inquisition Minutes (25 February 1616)
  8. Special Injunction (26 February 1616)
  9. Inquisition Minutes (3 March 1616)
  10. Index's Decree (5 March 1616)
  11. Bellarmine's Certificate (26 May 1616)

Chapter 4
Reports and Responses: Assimilation of Prohibition
  12. Guicciardini to Cosimo (4 March 1616)
  13. Galileo to Picchena (6 March 1616)
  14. Sarpi's Legal Opinion (7 May 1616)
  15. Galileo to Cioli (7 March 1631)
  16. Riccardi to Florentine Inquisitor (24 May 1631)
  17. Niccolini to Cioli (5 September 1632)
  18. Niccolini to Cioli (27 February 1633)

Chapter 5
Later Proceedings: Condemnation of Galileo
  19. Special Commission Report on the Dialogue (September 1632)
  20. Galileo's First Deposition (12 April 1633)
  21. Maculano to Francesco Barberini (28 April 1633)
  22. Galileo's Second Deposition (30 April 1633)
  23. Galileo's Third Deposition (10 May 1633)
  24. Galileo's Defense (10 May 1633)
  25. Inquisition Minutes (16 June 1633)
  26. Galileo's Fourth Deposition (21 June 1633)
  27. Inquisition Sentence (22 June 1633)
  28. Galileo's Abjuration (22 June 1633)

Chapter 6
Reports and Responses: Implementation of Sentence
  29. Orders to Nuncios and Inquisitors (2 July 1633)
  30. Buonamici's Account (July 1633)
  31. Galileo to Diodati (25 July 1634)
  32. Peiresc's Plea for a Pardon (5 December 1634)
  33. Galileo to Peiresc (21 February 1635)
  34. Niccolini to Gondi (25 January 1642)

Index

About the Author:

Maurice A. Finocchiaro is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.