Giordano Bruno
Bruno made a large impact on the history of doubters; he was very outspoken and frank. He was ordained a priest by the time he was 24. Just a few years later a formal accusation of heresy was brought against him. After leaving the city of Rome, he converted to Calvinism in Geneva were he ended up being excommunicated and asked to leave. He managed to stay out of trouble for awhile and ended up in England were he became a favorite of Queen Elizabeth. However, he once again got himself in trouble when Oxford's theologians mocked his ideas and he retaliated in print. After this, things continued downhill for him. He was excommunicated by the Lutherans and finally in February of 1593, he was thrown in a dungeon for six years and burned at the stake in 1600. Even at the stake he was offered a crucifix that he pushed away with fierce scorn. In his 52 years, he managed to get himself into a lot of hot water.
The Scholars did not appreciate his tone or condescending nature. Also, he disagreed with the church on many occasions. He believed that the universe was filled with many suns and planets going around these suns just like ours. This also meant that he believed that the other planets were also busy with life like Earth. He made the assumption that God and the world are one; making Christianity meaningless.
He was very enthusiastic about his subjects. Bruno ended up becoming kind of a symbol to represent forward looking, free thinking types of philosophers and scientists.
Factual question: What did Bruno think about our solar system? It was infinite and there are many suns with planets like ours with life.
Discussion: Why do you think Bruno received so much criticism?
Discussion: Why do you think Bruno received so much criticism?
I think he recieved a lot of criticism because of how he portrayed and went against what the church had declared.
ReplyDeleteI feel that he received the criticism because he fought against the ruling of the church. There isn't anything wrong with going against something, but I think he needs to be more cautious about how he goes about it.
ReplyDeleteHe received harsh treatment because he went around openly declaring what he believed without considering the sacred belief of many others. He offended not only the lower class people, but the higher class as well. He should have been more tactful, but perhaps he didn't mind dying for what he believed in.
ReplyDelete