Galileo: Science, Faith, and the Catholic Church

By: Guy Consolmagno

Narrated by: Guy Consolmagno

Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

What can Galileo's extraordinary life and profound legacy teach us today?

Galileo's story is a touchstone in debates about science and religion, but our preconceptions inevitably color the way we see the issues. To understand who Galileo was, what he accomplished, and what you can learn from his triumphs and failures, you need a great teacher to place him in context by exploring the cosmologies, political and religious and historical events, and famous people of his generation. You also need to get a sense of the man himself: from his family background and early ambitions to the person he grew into as he became a father, a rising celebrity, a literary lion, and ultimately an infirm but unbroken old man.

In Galileo: Science, Faith, and the Catholic Church, you will explore the context and implications of the Galileo affair - the events that culminated in his condemnation by the Roman Catholic Church. You can take no better guide than Dr. Guy Consolmagno, a renowned astronomer, Jesuit brother, and popular writer.

The Galileo affair resonates with our own times. Although the debate about an earth or sun-centered universe is long past, the ways we react to new ideas hasn't changed at all. All of the hopes, fears, and misunderstandings that surrounded Galileo and his opponents we still face today in our encounters with science and religion. By spending time with Galileo and his story, you will enrich your own faith and increase your understanding of science and religion.

©2015 Now You Know Media Inc. (P)2015 Now You Know Media Inc.

Critic reviews

"Br. Guy Consolmagno is a gifted scientist, writer, and leader in helping people bridge their scientific and religious understandings of the cosmos. An engaging and entertaining speaker, Br. Guy has a rare talent for communicating abstract concepts to public audiences with remarkable clarity." (Dr. Grace Wolf-Chase, astronomer, Adler Planetarium)

"Guy Consolmagno’s presentations are gems. Here is an accomplished scientist with strong interests in science’s history and in communicating science to a diverse public audience - he communicates skillfully to science enthusiasts but also humbly to those who have religious or cultural apprehensions regarding science. Science needs more Guys." (Professor Christopher M. Graney, Jefferson Community & Technical College, Louisville, Kentucky)

"Br. Guy Consolmagno's business is his fellow man as rational animal and spiritual being. Through his books, lectures, and life, Br. Guy puts the lie to the post-modern canard that science is the replacement for religion, that one must choose between one's profession and one's faith. He does this with humor, wisdom, and deep knowledge." (Jonathan Lunine, David C. Duncan Professor in the Physical Sciences, Cornell University, and director, Center for Radiophysics and Space Research)

I loved this treatment of the Galileo issue

Dr. Consolmagno was very thorough and presented the subject in a very interesting manner. I love this book and will listen to it again.

Fascinating

I am thrilled that I picked this book it has been a very interesting read and I would read it's again.

Wonderful experience

The narration and content excellent !

Brother Guy really has an ability to teach !

Definitely a Mixed Bag

First off, Brother Consolmagno comes across as both erudite and down to earth. His performance was top notch and several times during the reading I thought to myself how interesting it would be to meet him. The reason I only gave the lecture series three stars was due to his constant defence of the Church. Sure, he mentions that the Pope was "wrong" toward the end but there is so little detail presented about the trial itself that you will find yourself looking for additional information elsewhere.

Now, I fully expected his point of view based on where he works (and for whom) but I didn't expect the constant reminders that the Church is pro science and has always been so. Ok, that's fine but what happened at the trial. I'll admit I did roll my eyes a few times - especially when the Brother didn't think that Galileo would have given much thought to Giordano Bruno's burning at the stake because it happened thirty years prior. This just doesn't seem believable to me.

All in all, the lecture was interesting and if you're looking for a point of view that differs from many you have encountered before, you may find the lecture worth a listen.