Why did Nicholas Copernicus wait to publish his works on his deathbed?
His work on the three laws of motion contradicted the Lutheran Church.
His work on heliocentric theory went against Catholic doctrine and beliefs.
His work included the dissection of cadavers, which was against church rules.
His work on electricity and magnetism challenged teachings of the papacy.
It is B, His work on heliocentric theory went against Catholic doctrine and beliefs.
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/mark-shea/catholic_church_lets_copernicus_out_of_hell
Nicholas Copernicus did not actually wait to publish his works on his deathbed. The statement that he did so is a common misconception. In reality, Copernicus actively worked on his theories throughout his life, but delayed publishing them due to various reasons.
One of the main reasons for his delay was the potential controversy and backlash it may have caused. Copernicus knew that his heliocentric theory, which proposed that the Earth revolved around the Sun and not the other way around, contradicted the prevailing geocentric model supported by the Catholic Church. The Church held significant influence and power during that time, and challenging their interpretation of the Bible could have serious consequences both for Copernicus personally and for the dissemination of his work.
Additionally, Copernicus aimed to gather sufficient evidence and refine his ideas before releasing his findings to the public. He spent many years observing the celestial bodies, studying ancient astronomical texts, and developing mathematical models to support his heliocentric theory. This meticulous approach contributed to the delay in publishing, as Copernicus sought to ensure the validity and persuasiveness of his arguments.
It is worth noting that Copernicus faced opposition from some religious figures, but he also had supporters within the Church who recognized the scientific merit of his work. It was only after Copernicus' death, in 1543, that his most famous and influential work, "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres), was published. By that time, the Catholic Church's position had already hardened against heliocentrism, and later editions of Copernicus' work were met with more resistance.
In summary, Nicholas Copernicus did not intentionally wait to publish his works on his deathbed. He delayed publication due to concerns over potential controversy, the need to gather sufficient evidence, and his meticulous approach to refining his theories.