"copernicus demonstrated that the earth was not the center of the solar system. we now know that our solar system is not the center of our galaxy, and that our galaxy is not the center of the universe. so let me suggest that in all probability none of us should take ourselves so seriously that we think we are the center of everything." the previous passage is best described as

I would say that this passage is an example of the heliocentric correct view of the world with the sun and not the earth the center of our universe and this formed a very important part of the Renaissance wherein nature was examined first hand wherever possible to arrive at a much closer approximation of the truth than in Medieval or Classical times of Aristotle when idle speculation about nature was the order of the day.