Unit 2

Epistemology
http://www.biography.com/people/galileo-9305220
Summary
Quite simply the biography does exactly what any biography sets out
to do. It describes the life and works of arguable the most important
astronomer in history. It explains the birth of Galileos heliocentric model of
the solar system (a view he shared with Copernicus) and his subsequent
persecution by the Vatican and eventual attempted silencing, though it is
quick to note his imprisonment was when Galileos greatest works were
conceived.
Explanation
Galileos plight serves as an important look about the history of
epistemology. It is especially interesting to note how sources of authority
have changed as time goes on. In Galileos age, the church controlled
fantastic power and wealth and its word was law. In modern times this
authority has shifted away from large institutions to individual scientists.
Galileo is also an interesting case when it comes to evidence presented. In
other words; how do we know what is right? Despite Galileo possessing
evidence that supported his point of view he was ostracized and
excommunicated. As we consider why this dynamic has shifted in the
modern day we realize that education is by far the best tool in eliminating
dogma surrounding all aspects of life. The layman in the middle ages was
likely illiterate and so an understanding a scientific model as complex as
Galileos was clearly beyond their comprehension. Today in richer and more
educated countries there would not be a moments doubt for most accepting
a complex premise such as Galileos. To summarize education gives
credibility to the educated. The less education given the more likely a person
is to be unable to think for themselves, therefore the most important aspect
to establishing epistemological authority is education itself.
Class Work
In class we examined various statements and how much verity we
assign to them. Furthermore we also examined persons and sources we
consider to be sources of epistemological authority such as professors and
scientists.
Reflection

In my eyes I find it interesting to observe how epistemological

authority has shifted in the previous few centuries. Galileos ideas were not
the first to be rejected by his peers. In ancient Greece the theory of
Empedocles (4 elements comprising the universe) was held to be correct
despite the proto-atomic theory proposed by Democritus being by far more
accurate.
To understand how the mantle of epistemological authority shifted over the
ages we must first understand that the enlightenment period was
undoubtedly the trigger for massive societal change. Philosophers such as
Spinoza and Voltaire criticize the status quo and opened the door for
personal identity to take precedence over institutional might. One of the
most iconic phrases of this era is found in the French publication of
Encyclopedie which states If there is something you know, communicate
it. If there is something you don't know, search for it. It is this mentality
which effectively erased the popular attitude of blindly accepting dogma and
shifted epistemological authority to empirical sources. It is interesting to
consider how the world would be different if this shift happened earlier in
human history and what humanity could have achieved without the horrors
of the dark ages in Europe.