The first sought to prove that Galileo in his book had treated the stability of the sun and its central position in the universe, not as a hypothesis, but in a definite manner; the second, that in it Galileo had taught, defended, and held the doctrine of the earth's motion round the sun.
Zacharias Pasqualigus gave in three opinions. In the first he expresses his view that Galileo, by the publication of his "Dialogues," had infringed the order given him by the Holy Office not in any way to hold the Copernican opinion, nor to teach nor defend it in writing or speaking, in respect to teaching and defending, and it was very suspicious that he held it.
In his second opinion, Pasqualigus argues, by quoting passages from the "Dialogues,"[1] that although in the beginning of the book Galileo had stated that he should treat the doctrine of the double motion only as a hypothesis, he had in the course of it departed from hypothetical language, and sought to prove it by decisive arguments.
Finally, in his third opinion, Pasqualigus recurs to the special prohibition of 1616, and argues at length that Galileo has overstepped it both as regards teaching and defending, and is very strongly open to the suspicion of holding it.[2]
By these declarations Galileo's cause was as good as decided. His transgression of the command of the Holy Office, and particularly of the special prohibition of 26th February, 1616, was proved beyond a doubt. Of his guilt
- ↑ Pasqualigus seldom cites verbatim, but makes short quotations; and in comparing them with Galileo's works, I have found the sense given correctly.
- ↑ See all these opinions and the arguments, Vat. MS. fol. 429 ro. 447 ro.
library there is, among other treasures, a copy of Galileo's "Dialogues" of 1632, I was enabled to compare Inchofer's quotations with a copy of the very edition which was in the hands of the consultators of the Holy Office. I am able to state that Inchofer quotes them verbatim, or makes faithful extracts without altering the sense. The last quotation only, 25, is a little confused. (Vat. MS. fol. 439 vo.)
