Article:  What Hath Galileo Wrought?

For the PhysicsWeb site, philosopher and historian Robert B. Crease (State U of NY at Stony Brook) wrote a “Critical Point” article called “The Book of Nature.”  He discusses Galileo’s contention that there is a Book of Nature separate from the Book of Scripture that can be investigated on its own through the language of mathematics.  What are the ramifications, and dangers, of this approach?  What impact do metaphors have on assumptions about the nature of science?  (See also the 07/04/2003 entry, “Metaphors bewitch you.”)

This well-written and thoughtful short piece needs little comment.  Take a moment to read Dr. Crease’s penetrating analysis of the consequences of ideas that are often taken for granted.  Galileo believed he was helping the church by segregating scientific interpretation from the Bible, but did it lead to a kind of secular priesthood of science?  While we do not endorse his statements entirely, they are worth considering, and you can draw your own conclusions.  It’s interesting that this nearly-theological piece appeared on a site devoted to news about physics.