Scientific
Revolution (1550-1700)
The
Scientific Revolution was an intellectual revolution concerning theories and
methods for determining humanity's place in the universe. It appealed primarily to middle and upper
classes particularly in urban areas.
Causes of the Scientific Revolution
·
The
growth of universities where medieval philosophers had some independence from theologians.
·
Renaissance
stimulated scientific interest in:
-Recovery of Greek mathematics.
-Support of rulers and rich merchants for science.
·
Navigation
problems needed mathematics to solve them.
·
New
scientific instruments such as the telescope, barometer, thermometer, pendulum,
clock, microscope, and air pump. Better
instruments, which permitted more accurate observations, often led to new
knowledge.
During
the Scientific Revolution many cutting edge advancements were made in the
fields of astronomy, mathematics, physics and anatomy. The results of the Scientific Revolution were
that science supplanted religion and the crystallization of the modern
experimental method still used today.
Contributors to the
Scientific Revolution
Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.)
He was Greek philosopher
who developed early forms of experimentation and observation. His theory saw Earth as the center of the
universe.
Nicolaus Copernicus
(1473-1543)
He theorized that the sun was at the center of the universe and the Earth,
planets, and stars revolved around a motionless sun
Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)
He used mathematics to demonstrate the validity of Copernicus'
heliocentric system (Earth revolved around the sun) and devised three laws of
planetary motion
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
He developed laws about inertia and gravitational acceleration
Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
He discovered analytical geometry, contributed to the science of
optics. He also argued that physical
phenomena could be understood through scientific laws based on deductive
reasoning.
Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
He developed a systematic explanation of physical laws based on findings and theories
of Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo
Catholic opposition to the Scientific Revolution
Catholic
leaders saw the revolution as a threat to church beliefs and traditions. Church
efforts at intimidation and repression were quite effective. Copernicus did not publish his findings until
the year he died to avoid controversy. Galileo
recanted his support for the Copernican system (although he continued his
studies) after being placed under house arrest and being summoned before the
Inquisition.
Protestant areas of northern