Galileo hears of a new invention, a telescope, and builds one. With it, he confirms that the earth rotates around the sun. For this, he is summoned before a tribunal of the Inquisition where he is threatened with torture if he does not recant his findings. Bertolt Brecht puts the dilemma of one of history's greatest thinkers center stage; is it more important to cling to one's principles or save oneself to enable further contributions to knowledge?
Galileo examines the separation of science and the church by questioning the difference between empirical evidence and faith. Galileo's confirmation that the earth revolves around the sun is regarded as heresy, and a direct threat to church doctrine. Galileo pleads with church authorities to recognize that if something can be seen it must be true and to deny the truth is criminal. He is put on trial and recants, but serves house arrest, nonetheless. Galileo's capitulation, and his continued scientific investigation, even under the noses of his captors, provides a powerful exploration of issues of integrity, betrayal, courage, and devotion.
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