The Franklin Institute Presents a Three-Day Symposium on 'The Legacy of Galileo'...

The Franklin Institute Presents a Three-Day Symposium on 'The Legacy of
Galileo' Beginning Thursday, June 18

Featured Speakers Include Best-Selling Author Dava Sobel And Renowned Science
Historian Owen Gingerich

PHILADELPHIA, May 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Franklin Institute has
received a $100,000 grant from the John Templeton Foundation to host a
three-day symposium beginning Thursday, June 18 entitled The Legacy of
Galileo. The symposium, planned in partnership with the Philadelphia Area
Center for History of Science (PACHS), will draw on recent scholarship on
Galileo exploring his profound effect on the culture of his day -- as well as
highlights of Galileo's modern-day legacy. Featuring a range of well-known
authors, scholars and science experts, the event is being presented as part of
an ambitious series of programs surrounding The Franklin Institute's
critically-acclaimed exhibition Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy.
Most of the three days of events will be free with registration; more
information is available at www.fi.edu.

"The Legacy of Galileo symposium is the most ambitious satellite project of
our Galileo exhibition," said Dennis Wint, president and CEO of The Franklin
Institute. "The symposium will bring in the world's leading scholars to
examine the always-present tension between belief in established knowledge and
acceptance of novel scientific claims -- a tension that can be explored in the
multiple contexts of religious beliefs, cultural practices, social structures,
and institutional frameworks. We are grateful to the John Templeton
Foundation for giving us the opportunity to bring to life the influence and
importance of this scientific genius."

The aim of the symposium is to explore the powerful synergies and seismic
changes in science, religion, music and art that took place during Galileo's
time, and connect them to our lives today. Four main themes will be covered
-- the history and process of science, the interrelations of music, art and
science during the Italian Renaissance, the Galileo controversy in relation to
the intersection of science and religion, and the modern relevance of Galileo.

Highlights of the symposium include:
-- Thursday, June 18 -- A kick-off evening panel discussion entitled
"What Would Galileo Think? Science, Religion and Modern
Relevance," which focuses on the relationship between science and
religion in Galileo's time. How would our modern context of
science and religion affect Galileo's thinking, and how might the
controversies of Galileo's time inform thinking today?
-- Friday, June 19 -- A full day of special events, discussions and
speakers, including a lunch book reading and discussion with
best-selling author Dava Sobel (Galileo's Daughter), a presentation
on the "Importance of Galileo," "The Lineage of Genius:
From Galileo to Hawking," "Revolutions in Art and
Science," "Would the Real Galileo Please Stand Up? -
Interpretations of the Trial of Galileo" and a presentation on
"The Legacy of Galileo."

-- Saturday, June 20 -- "Galileo Day" at The Franklin Institute.
The day begins with a "Meet the Speakers" breakfast
(registration required), followed by a day celebrating the Galileo,
the
Medici and the Age of Astronomy exhibit, including performances by a
Galileo impersonator, other Galileo and astronomy-themed
demonstrations,
live shows and activities for visitors and their families.

Confirmed speakers includeAlessio Assonitis (Research Director, The Medici
Archive Project, Archivio di Stato di Firenze);Mario Biagioli (Professor of
the History of Science, Harvard University); Ruth Schwartz Cowan (Professor of
the History & Sociology of Science, University of Pennsylvania); Peter Dear
(Professor of History in Science & Technology Studies, Cornell University);
Annibale Fantoli (Adjunct Professor of Philosophy, University of Victoria);
Maurice Finocchiaro (Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy,
University of Nevada, Las Vegas); Owen Gingerich(Professor Emeritus of
Astronomy and of the History of Science, Harvard University and Senior
Astronomer Emeritus, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory); Reverend Ernan
McMullin (O'Hara Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame);
Derrick Pitts (Chief Astronomer, The Franklin Institute); Joel Primack
(Professor of Physics, University of California - Santa Cruz); Dava Sobel
(science writer, author of Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science,
Faith and Love); Nick Wilding (Assistant Professor of History, Georgia State
University).

The John Templeton Foundation (www.templeton.org) is a non-profit grantmaking
organization that funds research projects worldwide from its headquarters in
West Conshohocken, PA. Established in 1987 by renowned international money
manager, Sir John Templeton, the Foundation serves as a philanthropic catalyst
for research and discoveries relating to what scientists and philosophers call
the Big Questions. The Foundation supports work at the world's top
universities in such fields as theoretical physics, cosmology, evolutionary
biology, cognitive science, and social science relating to love, forgiveness,
creativity, purpose, and the nature and origin of religious belief. Also it
seeks to stimulate new thinking about wealth creation in the developing world,
character education in schools and universities, and programs for cultivating
the talents of gifted children.

The Philadelphia Area Center for History of Science (PACHS) provides
perspective on the changes in science, technology and medicine that have
shaped our lives. The Center makes use of the exceptional resources of the
Philadelphia area to support research, to foster a vibrant community of
scholars, and to build bridges between the scholarly community and broader
audiences of all ages and backgrounds

Founded in honor of America's first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin
Institute is one of America's oldest and premier centers of science education
and development in the country. Today, the Institute continues its dedication
to public education and creating a passion for science by offering new and
exciting access to science and technology in ways that would dazzle and
delight its namesake. For more information please visit www.fi.edu.

SOURCE Franklin Institute

Kat Stein of the Franklin Institute, +1-215-448-2375