“In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual.” – Galileo Galilei, Astronomer (1564 – 1642)
Galileo was an Italian astronomer, physicist and engineer, sometimes described as a polymath. His championing of the earth revolving around the sun was met with opposition from within the Catholic Church and from some astronomers. The matter was investigated by the Roman Inquisition in 1615, which concluded that his opinions contradicted accepted Biblical interpretations.
(Tom: My personal opinion is that Galileo’s quote should be emblazoned in letter of fire 6 inches high in the inside of every forehead before that forehead enters a school ground.)