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Lecture 5 Scientific Method Case Study: Astronomy

Lecture 5 Scientific Method Case Study: Astronomy. Dr. Ann T. Orlando October 2, 2008. Outline. Ancient cosmology and physics Augustine’s cosmology Aquinas’ physics Galileo and the aftermath What did Augustine (and Church) really teach?. Aristotle and Greek Physics.

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Lecture 5 Scientific Method Case Study: Astronomy

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  1. Lecture 5Scientific Method Case Study: Astronomy Dr. Ann T. Orlando October 2, 2008

  2. Outline • Ancient cosmology and physics • Augustine’s cosmology • Aquinas’ physics • Galileo and the aftermath • What did Augustine (and Church) really teach?

  3. Aristotle and Greek Physics • Aristotle (384-322 BC), wrote On Physics • Metaphysics was treatise after physics that considered non-material things • All physical things made of matter and form • All things through velocity seek their own level • Velocity defined as inversely proportional to density of medium through which a body travels • Vacuums cannot exist • World is eternal • Region above sun is unchanging • Observations of nature (empiricism) important to know how to categorize particulars

  4. Ptolemy (85-165 AD) Wrote Almagest Worked in Alexandria as part of Aristotelian school there Synthesized astronomical observations into mathematical computations Epicycles to describe notion about a stationary earth No vacuums Lunar light reflected from sun Very accurately predict eclipses of sun, moon, planets Also wrote Geography that included accurate estimate of earth’s diameter 13th C Manuscript http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/vatican.exhibit/exhibit/d-mathematics/Greek_astro.html Ptolemy and Greek Astronomy

  5. Augustine’s Physics • Understanding natural world important to Augustine • When does he begin to doubt Manichees? • Basically he accepts the Aristotelian-Ptolemaic world view of geography and astronomy • Knows the earth is round, lunar light is reflected from sun, planetary order and epicycles

  6. Significance of Physics in Augustine • Understanding Genesis • Cosmos not eternal but created ex nihilo • What is time • What is formless matter • What is relation between heavens and Heaven

  7. Aquinas and Physics • Wrote a commentary on Aristotle’s On Physics • For the most part accepted Aristotle-Ptolemy • Notable exception: definition of velocity as time rate of change of distance • Used Aristotle as primary philosophical tool in theology

  8. Excursus: Columbus (1451-1506) • Recall reading ST Ia Q1 • Did Europeans in general, or Church in particular, think the world was flat? • Why are we so often taught this now • No one tried to sail from Europe to China because did not have the technology

  9. Copernicus (1473-1543) • Assisted Vatican on revision of calendar • Published De Revolutionibus shortly before his death • Hypothesizes a heliocentric system

  10. Galileo (1564-1642) • Impact of Telescope • Becomes obvious that entities above the sun do change • Far more variety in celestial sphere than previously imagined • Mathematical simplicity of heliocentric system very appealing • Circular orbits • Note Galileo’s contributions to physics far beyond astronomy • Dynamics (pendula) • Motion (weight not relevant to speed at which a body falls, Tower of Pisa experiment) • But most of all using mathematics to describe laws of physics • Reaction against Aristotelianism

  11. St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) • Concerned about interpretation of Scripture, especially Joshua 10 • Heliocentric system okay to make math easier, draws distinction between easier math and reality • But also concerned that circular-orbit heliocentric system not as accurate as epicycles and geocentric system • And he was right

  12. Galileo vs Church • Conflict begins during Pope Paul V pontificate • Background of Reformation and Council of Trent • 1616 “Copernicanism” condemned, • De Revolutionibus placed on index • Galileo told not to teach it • 1623 Maffeo Barberini becomes Pope Urban VIII • Admirer of Galileo • 1632 Galileo publishes Diologue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, Ptolemaic and Copernican • Published with approval of censors in Rome and Florence • Made fun of Pope, who saw himself as Simplicio, defender of Ptolemy • 1633 Galileo brought before Inquisition • House arrest • Allowed to return to Florence after recanting

  13. Resolution of the Physics: Elliptical Orbits • By carefully analyzing data, Kepler concludes that orbits are elliptical • Mathematics of three laws of planetary motion • Description at http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/history/kepler.html

  14. Enlightenment Mythology of Galileo • “Despite all its enlightenment about other matters, the eighteenth century was almost a golden age for the invention and diffusion of myths about Galileo’s trial.” – Finocchiaro, Retrying Galileo, 111 • Galileo held in prison • Galileo had his eyes gauged out • Galileo had to live on bread and water

  15. Situation Today: Benedict XVI and Sapienza • 20th and 21st Centuries no strangers to embellishing Galileo affair • Bertold Brecht, Galileo, expands on clash of faith and reason • Most recently the controversy around Pope Benedict XVI planned visit to Sapienza University in January 2008 • Physics faculty protest Pope’s visit because of reputed comments he made in 1992 about Galileo; ‘authoritative’ reference was a wikipedia article • Pope cancels visit • Rector of Sapienza eventually acknowledges criticism misdirected, and invites Pope to return

  16. Augustine, On Literal Interpretation of Genesis • Augustine wrote many works with Genesis as the focus • Confessions Books XI-XIII • Against the Manichees • Against Faustus • De Genesi ad litteram liber written between 399-415 • Understanding what Augustine meant by ‘literal’ meaning of Genesis • Exegesis that is not figurative of Christ (not typological) • May include symbolic understanding; e.g. days of creation • Twelve books, divided into three parts • Part 1: Books 1-5; days of creation • Part 2: Books 6-11; commentary on Genesis 2-3; expulsion form paradise • Part 3: Book 12; experiencing paradise (types of ecstasy) • Readings from Part 1 • 1.18.36-19.39 and 2.9.20-2.10.23 and 2.18.38

  17. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentiles • Relation between truth of observation and truth of faith very important • Aristotelian empiricism • SCG written to provide arguments against unbelievers, 1261-1264 • Written in four parts • Part I: Of God as He Is in Himself • Part II: Of God and Origin of Creatures • Part III: Of God the End of Creatures • Part IV: Of God in His Revelation • Read I.vii, “The Truth of Reason Is Not Contrary to Truth of Faith”

  18. Thomas AquinasSumma Theologiae Ia 68 a1 and a3 • Question 68 begins in a1 with the proper way to interpret Scripture according to Augustine • Does Aquinas go beyond Augustine in a3?

  19. Galileo and Bellarmine Letters in 1615 • Galileo, Letter to Grand Duchess Christina • Written to important patron, Grand Duchess Christina • Published more widely 1636 • Bellarmine, Letter to Rev. Foscarini • Rev. Foscarini was a Carmelite astronomer who was a friend and supporter of Galileo

  20. Voltaire," Preface” and “Authority” Philosophical Dictionary • Voltaire (1694-1778) • Leading light of French Enlightenment (philosophe) • Deist • Wrote extensively on history, physics, religion, art in many genres (poems, articles, treatises, plays) • Philosophical Dictionary • Published 1764 • Part of program of philsosphes to provide knowledge free from influences of superstition (religion) • Available at http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?pageno=24&fk_files=237218

  21. John Paul II:Address to Pontifical Academy of Sciences • Address given Oct 31, 1992 • Pope charged the Academy of Sciences with reevaluating the Galileo Affair • Similar address in 1996 on evolution, http://www.catholic.net/RCC/Periodicals/Inside/01-97/creat2.html

  22. Assignment • Augustine, On Literal Interpretation of Genesis, 1.18.36-19.39 and 2.9.20-2.10.23 and 2.18.38 • Aquinas, SCG available at http://www2.nd.edu/Departments/Maritain/etext/gc1_7.htm • Aquinas, Ia Q68 a1 and a3 • Galileo, Letter to Grand Duchess Christina, • Bellarmine, Letter to Rev. Foscarini, http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/galileo-tuscany.html • http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1615bellarmine-letter.html • Voltaire, “Authority,” Philosophical Dictionary, available at Project Guttenburg, www.gutenberg.org pp 1 and 24-25. • JPII, http://www.its.caltech.edu/~nmcenter/sci-cp/sci-9211.html • French, Italian and German versions available on Vatican website • How did Aquinas and Galileo use Augustine? How are preconceived prejudices at work in reactions from Voltaire to today?

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