toward a new heavan and a new earth: the scientific revolution and the emergence of modern science
TRANSCRIPT
TOWARD A NEW HEAVAN AND A NEW EARTH: THE SCIENTIFIC
REVOLUTION AND THE EMERGENCE OF MODERN SCIENCE
Aristotle and Galen – key ancient thinkers who examined the physical world
Natural philosophers = medieval scientists
Medieval scientists based their work –1. strict theological framework2. a few ancient authorities
Renaissance Humanists – mastered Greek and Latin language -> Galen, Ptolemy, Archimedes, Plato, and pre-socratics
Humanists discovered new ancient texts by Galen and Aristotle
Renaissance artists impacted Sci. Rev. –
1. observation of nature
2. use of perspective and math in painting
3. proper understanding of human anatomy
Technical problems
Emphasis on practical over theoretical knowledge
Printing press -> spread ideas quickly and easily
Mathematics – military sci., navigation, geography
Leonardo da Vinci – nature is inherently mathematical and it provided certainty
1. Hermetic magic = the world is divine, we are part of the divine -> we can tap in and control the world
2. Alchemy = changing substances -> stuff into gold
3. Astrology = position of stars -> influences our lives
4. Numerology = numbers have secrets
5. Use magic to control and dominate nature
6. All giants of the sci. rev. studied magic
ASTRONOMY
MECHANICS/PHYSICS
MEDICINE
A synthesis of
1. Aristotle
2. Ptolemy
3. Christian theology
1. Earth centered2. Series of 10 concentric spheres3. Crystalline/transparent sphere4. Perfect circular rotation5. Heavenly bodies were orbs of embedded
in moving spheres6. Beyond the 10th sphere = the kingdom of
god/heaven7. Man is at the center + god is in his place
Polish astronomer Author of - On the Revolution of the Heavenly
Spheres Published his book in 1453 -> waited until he
was on his deathbed to publish -> fear of consequences
Copernican conception = heliocentric/sun centered
Copernican cosmos -> created uncertainty about man’s role in the universe and God’s location
Protestants were first to attack the new idea Catholic church remained silent until Galileo in
1610