Gailileo”'s Compromise

By Peter Molenaar

August 2, Powderhorn Art Fair”¦

Before descending the slope from the corner of 35th Street and 15th Avenue, I was enticed to scan the annual Women”'s Prison Book Project yard sale of used books. A hardback copy of Galileo”'s Daughter caught the eye. It was an excellent purchase for the sum of $3.00.

It happened a few centuries ago that our Galileo made the irrefutable but annoying observation that Earth revolves around the sun. In order to please the Pope, he was compelled to present this finding not as fact, but rather as a dialogue between opposing hypotheses. Then despite his earnest effort, he subsequently found himself bowing before the Inquisitors-General while recanting his “heresy.”

However, the point: By making this compromise, Galileo not only extended his own life but was able to preserve his work such that science was elevated forever.

1920”¦

More recently, our V.I. Lenin was to heap scorn upon those “Lefts” who disdain to compromise “on principle.” To the contrary, with regard to our long-term vision of socialist transformations, we are advised to examine the current relationship of political forces. Take a sober-minded look, please. It follows that a range of temporary and conditional “alliances” are called for.… Read the rest “Gailileo”'s Compromise”