ThinkingWest Profile picture
Apr 17, 2024 14 tweets 5 min read Read on X
The "science vs religion" dichotomy is false.

In fact, some of the most groundbreaking scientific discoveries were made by Catholic clergy.

Here are the top 5 scientific breakthroughs made by priests…🧵 (thread) Image
5) Atomic Theory (Boscovich Model)

Roger Boscovich, a Croatian physicist, astronomer, and mathematician, was a Catholic priest in the Jesuit order. His model of the atom, the “Boscovich Model,” was a forerunner to modern atomic theory. Image
His theory was an attempt to find a middle way between Newton’s theory of gravity and Gottfried Leibniz's metaphysical theory of monad-points (points of original substance).

In addition to physics, Boscovich made significant astronomical observations; in particular the moon. Image
4) Seismology

One of the pioneers in the field of seismology was Fr. Giuseppe Mercalli in the late 19th and early 20th century.

He’s famous for developing the Mercalli Intensity Scale which measures the intensity of seismic shaking caused by earthquakes. Image
Though the Richter scale superseded his scale for magnitude measurement, the Mercalli scale remains the method for assessing the impact of earthquakes on people and buildings.

Mercalli’s commitment to science and his faith exemplify the harmony between the two realms. Image
3) Genetic Theory

Gregor Mendel, “the father of modern genetics,” was a 19th-century Augustinian friar and abbot. He developed Mendelian genetic theory by observing the inherited traits in pea plants, paving the way for our modern understanding of heredity. Image
Mendel’s discoveries were initially ignored. Notably Charles Darwin had no idea about Mendel’s work. It’s possible had he known, genetics would have developed much earlier.

The significance of his work was only finally realized after his death. Image
2) The Big Bang

The Big Bang theory of the universe’s origin was first posited by Georges Lemaitre, a Belgian astronomer. physicist, and priest. His theory shocked the scientific community when it was first published in 1927, but has since been widely accepted. Image
Lemaitre’s model upset the millennia-old belief of an eternal cosmos. His theory implied that everything came from an ultra-dense, tiny point, and its expansion birthed time and space.
Contrary to common belief, it was anti-religious sentiment that prevented the Big Bang theory from broad acceptance early on.

Atheist scientists were repulsed by the Big Bang's creationist overtones—it seemed too similar to the creation story in the Book of Genesis. Image
1) Heliocentrism

Nicolaus Copernicus was an early proponent of heliocentrism, the theory that the sun centered the solar system.

It’s possible that Copernicus, a Renaissance-era polymath dubbed the “father of modern astronomy,” was also a Catholic priest. Image
Copernicus held various positions within the Church, and the Catholic Encyclopedia claims he was ordained since in 1537 he was a candidate for the episcopal seat of Warmia, a seat that required ordination. Some scholars contest whether he was ever actually ordained though. Image
The idea that science and religion are at odds is a fairly new concept.

Despite the modern misconception, it’s historically been religious institutions, especially the Catholic Church, who have been the main drivers of scientific advancement in the West.
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More from @thinkingwest

Sep 4
All empires repeat the same cycle, says 20th-century historian John Glubb.

He observed that for the past 3000 years every civilization has followed the same 6 stages before decline—what are they?🧵 Image
Sir John Bagot Glubb was a British soldier and author who served as the commanding general for Transjordan's Arab Legion from 1939 to 1956.

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So how did a company become stronger than most countries?🧵 Image
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Aug 19
Did you know the American $1 bill references Virgil?

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But there’s more — America’s entire ethos has Roman underpinnings…🧵 Image
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Aug 15
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It ushered in an era of:

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Aug 11
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But somewhere along the way it disappears from the record… Image
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At least, that’s according to 18th-century historian Alexander Tytler.

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Image
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After studying dozens of civilizations, he noticed some intriguing patterns… Image
He believed that democracies naturally evolved from initial virtue to eventual corruption and decline.

In ancient Greece, for example, he argued that "the patriotic spirit and love of ingenious freedom...became gradually corrupted as the nation advanced in power and splendor." Image
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