Galileo Galilei is often recognized as the father of modern science. He lived from 1564 to 1642, and has made impressive contributions to our understanding of physics, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. One of his most famous contributions was his improvements to the telescope, which led him to observe Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s moons, Venus’s phases, and the moon’s surface. This invention fueled his heliocentric beliefs, which made him an enemy of the Catholic Church who upheld geocentricism. Galilei was eventually forced to recant his statements and live under house arrest. Today, Galilei is seen as an inspiration to hold true to one’s beliefs despite doubt and hostility. So it’s ironic that a man renowned for his philosophy and intellectualism has a logical fallacy named after him.
The Galileo Fallacy
According to History, Galilei’s “penchant for thoughtful and inventive experimentation pushed the scientific method toward its modern form.” However, the Galileo defense, like most logical fallacies, relies on the thoughtlessness of the arguer and listener. It highlights the story of Galilei speaking truth despite persecution, and claims that because an idea is mocked or forbidden, it must be true or at least credible. For instance, a person may make a ridiculous claim, and when it’s shot down, they argue that Galileo was seen as ridiculous and turned out to be right, so there must be truth in their claim. They are essentially using the story of Galileo to attack their opposition and make them question their own skepticism. Keep in mind, the Galileo fallacy doesn’t always include the man himself.
The fallacy doesn’t apply in situations where people are using success stories to inspire others to try new or intimidating ventures. But it’s important to note that one person’s achievement is far from a guarantee that anyone else will succeed as well. Author Bo Bennett, PhD, hilariously summarizes the fallacy on Logically Fallacious: “Remember that for every Galileo, there are millions of cranks, quacks, and wackos, and statistically speaking, those who use the Galileo defense are one of the latter.” Galileo Galilei spent his life arguing against ignorance and was eventually imprisoned in his home because of his statements. However, his most famous quotes don’t express bitterness toward the people around him. Rather, they are about staying curious, being open to learning, becoming self-aware, and being unbothered by people who say you’re wrong. Despite having a logical fallacy named after him, Galilei’s insights teach how to avoid false assumptions and inconsistency with our own thinking.
