[dr_lew]

From Adventures in Philosophy

According to Bruno the universe is infinite and is full of a plurality of heliocentric systems, which are composed of matter and soul. Both matter and soul are, rather than principles, two aspects of a single substance in which all opposites and all differences are reconciled. The soul of the universe is intelligent; it is God, conceived of as "Natura naturans." The world "Natura naturata" is an effect of God. Birth is the individualization of the infinite (God) in the finite; death is the return of the finite to the infinite. Religion has a practical but not a theoretical value. Morality is the participation of the individual in the life of the universe.

Is this science? No! Bad craziness! Burn him!

[campaignPete R-CT]

doc,
Don’t fret. Most people are unfortunate enough that they do not get their death sentence until Judgment Day.

[bdeaner]

Is this science? No! Bad craziness! Burn him!

Bruno's ideas are not scientific by any standards. They are theological arguments for pantheism that, if anything, would undermine the very condition of possibility for science as we know it, by undermining the basis for the universe's rational order. It was only due to the belief in the latter that science as we know it could realize itself. So, it was actually Bruno that was anti-science, not the Church. Not that I condone his execution, but that is beside the point.

[Antoninus]

Is this science? No! Bad craziness! Burn him!

You fall victim to that most pernicious of modern historical trends--the desire to judge every historical occurance based on 21st century humanist values--the same values that allow our very own enlightened, modern society to legally sanction the butchery of millions of unborn children in the womb each year in the name of "individual rights."

I tend to agree with Chesterton:

"The modern world has retained all those parts of police work which are really oppressive and ignominious....It has given up its more dignified work, the punishment of powerful traitors the in the State and powerful heresiarchs in the Church. The moderns say we must not punish heretics. My only doubt is whether we have a right to punish anybody else.”

It really is hard to get worked up over the fate of Bruno considering where we are today.

[annalex]

What Bruno proclaimed was heresy: a belief contrary to the authentic Catholic belief, yet promulgated as if it were genuinely Catholic belief, with authority of a priest.

He had multiple opportunities to recant during his trial; he maintained, however, that the core of his philosophical and theological views was Catholic.

The trial of Bruno has nothing to do with science; it was a trial of a provable heretic for heresy. That the civil authority would punish heretics at a stake is unfortunate, but the Church cannot be asked to condone fraud.