What the study found
The study found that provinces in Italy with a strong presence of the Catholic Church and high religious tolerance had more scientists and inventors born there. In provinces where religious tolerance was low, the opposite pattern was observed.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the Catholic Church supported the development of science when its behavior was mainly driven by tolerance. They also suggest that when the Church was characterized by intolerance, it hampered the spread of new ideas and scientific discoveries.
What the researchers tested
The researchers examined the long-term relationship between the Catholic Church and science in Italy using historical local data from the twelfth to the mid-twentieth century. They used the number of scientists and inventors as a proxy, meaning an indirect measure, for the development of science.
What worked and what didn't
More scientists and inventors were born in provinces with strong Catholic Church presence and high religious tolerance. Provinces with low religious tolerance showed the opposite result. Provinces with strong Church presence, high religious tolerance, and higher education infrastructure were also more likely to attract scientists and inventors from elsewhere.
What to keep in mind
The abstract presents historical associations and does not describe the limitations in detail. It also uses the number of scientists and inventors as an indirect measure of science development.
Key points
- Provinces with strong Catholic Church presence and high religious tolerance had more scientists and inventors born there.
- Provinces with low religious tolerance showed the opposite pattern.
- Provinces with strong Church presence, high religious tolerance, and higher education infrastructure were more likely to attract scientists and inventors from elsewhere.
- The authors suggest the Church supported science when it behaved with tolerance.
- The authors suggest intolerance hindered the spread of new ideas and scientific discoveries.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Catholic presence and religious tolerance shaped science in Italy
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-14
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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