Question

Assertion (A): Galileo was exiled for his belief that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

Reason (R): The Catholic Church, during the 1600s, believed that the Earth was the centre of the universe.

Which statement is correct in the context of the Church's approach to unknown phenomena?

• A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
• B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
• C. A is true, but R is false
• D. A is false, but R is true

Answer 1

The correct option is A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

Before the 1800s, any unknown phenomenon was directly linked to a divine presence and divine interventions. Universities were focussed on philosophical discourses revolving around divine phenomena. This curbed the development of inquisitive minds and scientific explanations. With the Catholic Church functioning in such a manner, Galileo's belief that the Earth revolves around the Sun was deemed to be heretical. The Church believed that it was an absolute fact of scripture that the Sun revolved around the Earth, and that this could not be disputed. Galileo was put on trial and placed under house arrest for the rest of his life.