Accepted Quote by Michael Coren
“The reality is that while heliocentrism was discussed and often accepted within Catholic circles - it was effectively the only place where it could be - the more traditional view of the solar system still prevailed even among leading scientists. So it's hardly surprising that Galileo's Catholic judges had difficult accepting his views, especially when they saw themselves as defending scientific orthodoxy and were supported in this by the scientific establishment.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The God of the Machine, Michael Coren, 2019
The quote highlights the tension between emerging scientific ideas and entrenched religious authority, noting that even progressive circles sometimes resist change to protect established doctrines.
In simple terms: Science often clashes with tradition, even within supportive groups.
Recognize and address institutional resistance to new ideas.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- policy making
- education reform
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do institutions balance tradition with innovation?
- What mechanisms can reduce dogmatic resistance?
Resistance may stem from fear of losing power rather than purely intellectual disagreement.