Charity, Logic, and Para-Clericalism: Rereading Agassi on Koestler on Galileo
Document Type
Book Section
Publication Date
6-23-2017
Publication Title
Encouraging Openness
Publisher
Springer
Publisher Location
Cham
First page number:
191
Last page number:
206
Abstract
This is a critical examination of Agassi’s article “On Explaining the Trial of Galileo,” which was a critical examination of Koestler’s account. I focus partly on several of Agassi’s insightful substantive theses. These involve Galileo’s skill in the art of reasoning and critical thinking; his technique of strengthening opponents’ arguments before criticizing them; and his efforts as a Catholic reformer. I also focus on several of Agassi’s fruitful methodological approaches. These concern the principle of “charity,” when interpreting actions and arguments; an emphasis on argumentation and applied logic; and the “paraclerical” approach of being both secular-minded and appreciative of religion.
Disciplines
Philosophy
Language
English
Repository Citation
Finocchiaro, M. A.
(2017).
Charity, Logic, and Para-Clericalism: Rereading Agassi on Koestler on Galileo.
Encouraging Openness
191-206.
Cham: Springer.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57669-5_15