The historical conflict between Galileo Galilei and the Catholic Church was more complex than a simple disagreement about the motion of the Earth and the Sun. While it is true that Galileo advocated the heliocentric model, which places the Sun at the center of the solar system, and faced opposition from the Church, the controversy involved various factors beyond the question of absolute motion.
During Galileo's time, the Aristotelian geocentric model, with the Earth at the center of the universe, was widely accepted. This model was supported by the Church as it aligned with the interpretation of certain biblical passages. When Galileo presented evidence in support of the heliocentric model, he challenged the prevailing scientific and theological views of the time.
However, it is important to note that Galileo's opponents were not necessarily advocating an opposing scientific viewpoint. Instead, their opposition was rooted in a combination of religious, philosophical, and political factors. The Church, as an institution, was concerned about the potential implications for scriptural interpretation and the overall authority of religious doctrine. They saw Galileo's ideas as potentially undermining their authority and causing religious unrest.
Regarding the question of absolute motion, it is true that Galileo's work and subsequent scientific advancements, including those of Isaac Newton, demonstrated that the concept of absolute motion, in which one reference frame is considered truly stationary, is not meaningful. Instead, motion is relative, meaning that it depends on the chosen reference frame. This understanding is a fundamental principle of modern physics.
In this context, it is not accurate to say that the opposing viewpoints regarding the motion of the Earth and the Sun were equally correct or equally wrong. Galileo's heliocentric model, supported by empirical evidence, provided a more accurate description of the solar system than the prevailing geocentric model. However, the Church's opposition was not solely based on scientific grounds but also involved broader considerations.
It is worth noting that over time, the Catholic Church's stance on the heliocentric model has evolved, and in 1992, Pope John Paul II formally acknowledged that Galileo's condemnation was an error. This acknowledgment reflected the recognition that scientific understanding and religious interpretation occupy different domains and should not be in conflict when properly understood.