Answer: Because of the way the Catholic Church treated Galileo, Descartes decided not to publish a scientific work.
Explanation: After finding out that Galileo's works had been prohibited by the Catholic Church and that the famous astronomer had been convicted of heresy and condemned to life in prison, Descartes decided not to publish his work The World in order not to infuriate the Catholic Church and put himself at risk as Galileo had done. However, Galileo's discoveries had a great influence on Descartes' works since the French philosopher also believed that the sun was at the center of the solar system.
