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A symposium featuring scholars and authors in the areas of science, religion, and art.
June 18 - 20, 2009
The Franklin Institute
Funding provided by the John Templeton Foundation
Presented in partnership with PACHS, the PHILADELPHIA AREA CENTER FOR HISTORY OF SCIENCE.
CLICK HERE for Program Brochure.
Special Panel Discussion
What Would Galileo Think?
7:30PM - Franklin Theater
RECORDED SESSION | mp4 format | 280M
Hear 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: 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
Session 1: The Importance of Galileo
9:30AM - 10:15AM - Franklin Theater
RECORDED SESSION | mp4 format | 160M
Reverend Ernan McMullin 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
RECORDED SESSION | mp4 format | 200M
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
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
RECORDED SESSION | mp4 format | 159M
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
Session 4: Would the Real Galileo Please Stand Up? Interpretations of the Trial of Galileo
3:15PM-4:30PM - Franklin Theater
RECORDED SESSION
| mp4 format | 244M
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
RECORDED SESSION
| mp4 format | 180M
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
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
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!
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