Galileo Galilei : a Machiavel at the papal inquisition

Abstract

Recent interest in Galileo Galilei has been generated due to the accidental discovery of his Letter to Benedetto Castelli at the Royal Society Library in London in 2018 by Salvatore Ricciardo from the University of Bergamo. This article will focus on his 1616 case before the Inquisition in Rome. Following an introduction to put this publication in its chronological context, the article outlines the history of the heliocentric theory followed by a concise reference to Galileo’s relationships with friends and foes. It concludes with arguments challenging the conventional notion that Galileo was a victim in the 1616 case by showing that he acted more like a Machiavel at the Papal Inquisition, in that he (i) attempted to frame his opponent, (ii) abused the trust of the Jesuits, and (iii) engaged in damage control with respect to his case before the Inquisition.