The Scientific Revolution was one of the most defining moments of the 16th century and its ideals have proven to endure to this day. The great minds of the scientific revolution have brought to light new and extremely complex concepts while each is rooted in a fundamental foundation. Some of these fundamental ideas and principles concerned the external world, that is, space, the planet and stars, movement and physics. One of the best minds of that era was of course Galileo Galilei. This great astronomer was amazed by his work, he introduced controversial concepts that the Church did not accept but which he believed to be true. Written by Galileo himself, this letter to the Grand Duchess records his great discoveries and how they changed ancient ideas and thoughts, but attracted much criticism in the process. (Ch 16, Doc 4) This period of discovery was a breath of fresh air for the people of Western Europe. The development of new technologies and ideas forever changed society as they knew it. It was like “with old [ideas], room for new [discoveries].” The printing press allowed people to read and learn for themselves. This has been very important in changing the way society thinks and interprets. In the old days, people went to church and learned the Bible from the priest and learned science and philosophy through lectures and the like. Now people can learn and interpret scriptures and texts for themselves. The new thinking provided a basis for new discoveries. The change in thinking was brought about by the scientists of that time. Among the great thinkers and scientists was Galileo, the creator of his own telescope, which allowed him to study the stars. By observing the stars and the planetary system, he acquired a vast amount of knowledge that proved that the Catholic Church...... middle of paper ... and its rejections, as well as its perception of its "enemies » and how they think. He refutes this by saying: “For the Bible is not chained in all its expressions to conditions so strict as those which govern all physical effects; Nor is God less perfectly revealed in the actions of nature than in the sacred utterances of the Bible. » (ch16.4) With a full understanding of the universe and its nature, Galileo had the mind of a genius or at least a thinker of the scientific revolution. He pushed the boundaries of nature as perceived by the Church and established his own discoveries and new discoveries. His critics accused him of being somewhat radical, but Galileo knew that his enlightened thinking was the way – the correct way – that the solar system was heliocentric. None of this would change because Galileo had proven once and for all that the universe, created by God, was supposed to be this way..