Galileo Galilei, an Italian astronomer, physicist, engineer, philosopher, and mathematician, played a major role in the scientific revolution during the Renaissance. Galileo has been called the “father of observational astronomy” and the “father of modern physics.
Biographical Overview
Born in Italy, 1564-1642
Physicist
Recognized as Father of Modern Modern Science
“Galileo, perhaps more than any other single person, was responsible for the birth of modern science.” Stephen Hawking
Worldview
Using a biblical worldview perspective, Galileo successfully applied the scientific method to investigate the laws of nature, His worldview is notable from what he said –
“God is known by nature in his works, and by doctrine in his revealed word.”
“Mathematics is the language in which God has written the universe.”
“The book of nature is written in the language of mathematics.”
“To apply oneself to great inventions, starting from the smallest beginnings, is no task for ordinary minds; to divine that wonderful arts lie hid behind trivial and childish things is a conception for superhuman talents.”
“Nature … is inexorable and immutable; she never transgresses the laws imposed upon her, or cares a whit whether her abstruse reasons and methods of operation are understandable to men.”
“I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use and by some other means to give us knowledge which we can attain by them.”
“The intention of the Holy Spirit is to teach us how one goes to heaven, not how the heavens go.”
“I think that in discussions of physical problems we ought to begin not from the authority of scriptural passages but from sense-experiences and necessary demonstrations.”
“I give infinite thanks to God, who has been pleased to make me the first observer of marvelous things.”
Galilei Galileo
