The Legacy of Galileo Symposium at the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia

The Legacy of Galileo

A symposium featuring scholars and authors in the areas of science, religion, and art.

June 18 - 20, 2009 at The Franklin Institute

Funding provided by the John Templeton Foundation

Presented in partnership with PACHS, the PHILADELPHIA AREA CENTER FOR HISTORY OF SCIENCE.

http://www2.fi.edu/exhibits/traveling/galileo/symposium.html

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Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy was created in partnership with the Istituto e Museo della Storia di Scienza of Florence, Philadelphia's Sister City, and the Medici Archive Project.

Marketing support is provided by grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.

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Symposium Program

Panelists and schedule subject to change. Space is limited.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Special Panel Discussion
What Would Galileo Think?
7:30PM
Franklin Theater

Hear four distinguished scholars talk about Galileo's struggle to reconcile science and religion during the Renaissance. Today our modern context of science and religion affect thinking about topics such as stem cell research, evolution and climate change. How might the controversies of Galileo's time be relevant to today's conflicts between science and cultural institutions?

Panelists: Mario Biagioli, Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University; Ruth Schwartz Cowan, Janice and Julian Bers Professor of the History & Sociology of Science, University of Pennsylvania; Maurice Finocchiaro, Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Joel Primack, Professor of Physics, University of California Santa Cruz

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Friday, June 19, 2009

Session 1: The Importance of Galileo
9:30AM - 10:15AM
Franklin Theater
Join the Reverend Ernan McMullin as he provides an overview of the fascinating period and region in which Galileo lived and worked.

Presenter: Ernan McMullin, O'Hara Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame

Session 2: The Lineage of Genius: From Galileo to Hawking
10:30AM-11:55AM
Franklin Theater
Science does not happen in a vacuum. The culture of the Renaissance is known for enabling genius but what was it that made this possible? Can the same be said of today's culture? How do culture and cultural change impact the practice and outcomes of science? Do the process and nature of science play a role?

Panelists: Nick Wilding, Assistant Professor of History, Georgia State University; Peter Dear, Professor of History in Science & Technology Studies, Cornell University; Joel Primack, Professor of Physics, University of California Santa Cruz

Session Moderated by The Franklin Institute's Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts

Lunch with Dava Sobel, Author of Galileo's Daughter
12:00PM
Executive Boardroom
Fee $25.00. Space is limited. To reserve, call 215.448.1254.
Award-winning author and former New York Times science reporter Dave Sobel has researched Galileo and the Renaissance extensively, traveling to Italy and translating original documents, including 120 letters to Galileo from his daughter, Sister Marie Celeste. Sobel has been a guest on major network stations, as well as National Public Radio and public broadcasting stations.

Tours of Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy
12:00PM - 2:00PM
Enjoy this opportunity to explore The Franklin Institute's exclusive exhibition featuring one of only two remaining Galileo telescopes. Free with symposium registration.
Self-guided. Guide by Cell tour available. Uses cell phone minutes.

Exhibition is presented by Officine Panerai.

Session 3: Revolutions in Art and Science
2:00PM - 2:45PM
Franklin Theater
During the Italian Renaissance, the ruling Medicis were patrons of science, art, music and theater. They also had profound influences on politics and were well connected within the Catholic Church. What does it mean that disciplines as disparate as science and the arts could influence each other, and did politics and religion influence one another and/or cultural developments?

Presenter: Dr. Alessio Assonitis, Research Director, The Medici Archive Project, Archivio di Stato di Firenze

Coffee Break
2:45PM-3:15PM

Session 4: Would the Real Galileo Please Stand Up? Interpretations of the Trial of Galileo
3:15PM-4:30PM
Franklin Theater
In the intervening four centuries, the story of Galileo's trial by the Catholic Church has attained mythic proportions. What really happened in 1633? How did science, religion and politics converge to create one of the most famous of science controversies? Did Galileo set out to challenge the Church, or was he swept up in forces beyond his control?

Panelists: Maurice Finocchiaro, Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Annibale Fantoli, Adjunct Professor of Philosophy, University of Victoria; Ernan McMullin, O'Hara Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame

Session Moderated By Mario Biagioli, Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University

Session 5: The Legacy of Galileo
4:40PM - 5:25PM
Franklin Theater
Discussion on the Legacy of Galileo with Owen Gingerich. Look at the legacy left by Galileo in light of the topics addressed during the past two days.

Presenter: Owen Gingerich, Emeritus Professor of Astronomy and of the History of Science, Harvard University and Senior Astronomer Emeritus, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

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Saturday, June 20, 2009

Meet the Speakers
8:00AM - 9:30AM
Benjamin Franklin National Memorial
Have breakfast with the Symposium speakers! Museum admission and entry into the Galileo exhibit are included with registration.

Galileo Day
9:30AM - 4:00PM

The Franklin Institute has planned a day of Galileo-related activities for visitors of all ages! Take part in special programming especially for Galileo and the International Year of Astronomy. These activities are all free for registered symposium attendees.

Activities Include:

- The Starry Messenger: Hear about Galileo's discoveries from Galileo himself in this special one-man show in Demonstration Theater.

- Star Decoder: Use diffraction gratings to discover how light can be used to identify different chemical elements and learn how scientists use this data to "decode" the mysteries of distant galaxies.

- World's Cheapest Space Suit: Discover why real spacesuits cost many millions of dollars as we compile a "slightly" discounted version before your eyes.

- The Joel N. Bloom Observatory: Take a look at the sun through our historic Zeiss refracting telescope. Weather Permitting.

- Telescope Cart: Galileo was one of the first to observe the moon and planets with a telescope. Explore a simple telescope like Galileo's and learn about his astonishing discoveries at this hands-on cart.

- Astrolabe Cart: An astrolabe can be thought of as an ancient, portable, celestial computer. Learn how these complex devices work through this interactive cart.

- What Was Galileo Thinking? Live Show! Join us as we put Galileo's thought experiments to the test and reveal why he is considered the Father of Modern Science. We'll run experiments on falling objects, projectiles, inclined planes, and pendulums—all with a little help from our audience!

- Plus: see a show in the Fels Planetarium!

All panel discussions and sessions are free of charge and take place at The Franklin Institute.

Registration Required. Call 215.448.1254.