In this trial, The Conflicted Leader principally seeks to retain his or her power even while other characters take advantage of his or her position of authority. This result is that The Conflicted Leader changes position throughout the trial based on personal needs and the needs of the greater good.

Historical Example

Pope Urban VIII is a good example of The Conflicted Leader during Galileo's trial. A member of the powerful Barberini family, Pope Urban was initially favorable to Galileo's theories despite the fact that he was largely a man of letters rather than a man of science and lacked the tools to completely comprehend the significance of the heliocentric model of the universe. 

With the publication of Galileo's treatise, Pope Urban increasingly became reluctant to endorse the scientist. This change was not so much due to faults in the science but to the thinly veiled criticism of his own views. The Pope argued for the superiority of God over the laws of nature, a theme that is recurringly mocked throughout the treatise. As a result, he strongly insisted upon a formal and punitive sentence for the scientist regardless of the veracity of his findings. 

Special Powers

As the presiding member of the clergy, it is your responsibility to convene an Ecumenical Council to consider the ideas promoted in Galileo's treatise. You may convene this Council whenever is convenient for you so long as you have general consensus from all players in your group. During the Council, your role is to principally facilitate a discussion surrounding the treatise with the participants of the Council. It is your responsibility to accept or reject submitted arguments, but be aware that accepted arguments that are later refuted with penalize you. 

How to Succeed

During the simulation, The Conflicted Leader will be sympathetic to all sides of the discussion. Ultimately, his or her goal is to maintain a position of authority. 

The Conflicted Leader wins points in the following ways: 

• 1 point when the Ecumenical Council fails to condemn Galileo's Treatise
• 1 point when the Hearing finds Galileo guilty
• 2 point for being the character with the most successful arguments presented at the Hearing
• 1 point for being the character that refuted the most arguments at the Hearing

The Conflicted Leader loses points in the following ways:

• 1 point for any argument that they accepted during the Ecumenical Council that is refuted