The Scientific Revolution

Essential QuestionWhat changes did the scientific

revolution create in Europe?

Middle Ages Scientific authorities

included: Ancient Greeks

Ptolemy Aristotle

The Bible

Middle Ages Ptolemy and Aristotle:

Earth - sphere Geocentric Theory -

Moon, Sun, and planets all revolve in circular paths around Earth.

Scientific Revolution

Scientific Revolution – new way of thinking about the natural world, based on careful observation. Logic and reason

Scientific Method

Pioneered by: Francis Bacon (British) Rene Descartes (French)

Nicolaus Copernicus

Polish cleric (monk) Studied planetary

motion for 25 years. Developed Heliocentric

Theory

Nicolaus Copernicus

Feared how people would respond to his ideas.

Did not publish his theories until 1543, when he was dying.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Copernicus’ Heliocentric Theory held that the Earth and other planets revolve in circular paths around the Sun.

Johannes Kepler

Tycho Brahe’s assistant German

mathematician Discovered

patterns in Brahe’s mathematic data

Johannes Kepler

Laws of Planetary Motion Earth and other planets

revolve around the Sun Planets’ orbits are

elliptical, NOT perfect circles.

Johannes Kepler Elliptical orbit

Galileo Galilei Italian astronomer /

physicist Studied the heavens with

his own, home-made telescope.

Disproved many of the Church’s theories at the time.

Galileo vs. The Church

Galileo supported Heliocentric Theory, and mocked the Pope for not believing in it.

The Pope had Galileo tried by the Roman Inquisition.

Galileo had to recant (take back) what he had said.

Sir Isaac Newton - English

1687 Newton published Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica

Included laws of motion & gravity. Also theories on light, color and planetary motion

Created Calculus to prove his theories

Effects of the Scientific Revolution

Skepticism and Independent Reasoning: For example, Descartes reached the extreme of skepticism by doubting his own existence. Then, he realized that his own act of thinking proved his own existence (I think, therefore, I am.)

Challenges to Religion: The idea that the universe worked like a machine according to natural laws and without the intervention of God challenged established religious ideas. This position was adopted by the Deists in the 18th century.

Decline in Belief in Magic, Demons, and Witchcraft: By the 18th century, the educated classes denied the existence of demons and the power of witchcraft. The skeptical views of the educated classes were not shared by the common people for whom religion remained important. The result was a divide between learned and popular culture.

Effects of the Scientific Revolution

Questions about Humanity's Role in the Universe: By making humans the inhabitants of a tiny planet circling the sun, the Copernican Universe reduced the importance of humanity. It led people to begin to question the place of humanity in creation.

Gave Humanity Control of Nature: Some philosophers argued that by gaining knowledge of the laws of nature, people could control nature. Through science and technology, they could improve human life. This belief in progress became an integral part of Western culture.

Challenges to Established Views of Women: The new scientific ideas challenged the ancient and medieval beliefs about the physical and mental inferiority of women by concluding that both men and women made equal contribution to reproduction. Nevertheless, traditional notions about women continued to dominate

#1 Understanding

You could explain the world by logic, experiment, and observation

INSTEAD OF RELIGION