Scientific Revolution

Some Middle Ages scholars sought answers about the natural world from the church. In the mid-1500s, others began to think in new ways. Scholars relied on traditional authorities for beliefs about structure of universe Geocentric theory, Aristotle –Earth center of universe –Sun, moon, planets revolved around earth Catholic Church was authority for European intellectuals The Old View Scholars began to challenge traditional authorities, 1500s Scientific Revolution, new way of thinking Posed theories, developed procedures to test ideas Why open to new ideas? –Exploration –New lands, new people, new animals New Viewpoints Dawn of Modern Science

Ancient scholars could provide no information about new lands, people, animals Age of Exploration led scientists to study natural world more closely Other things to be discovered, things unknown to ancients Navigators needed more accurate instruments, geographic knowledge Scientists examined natural world, found it did not match ancient beliefs, Catholic teachings

Francis Bacon - experimentation to gain scientific knowledge Rene Descartes – believed everything should be doubted until proved by reason Relied on math, logic Ideas of both continue to influence modern scientific methods Scientific Method Scholars Scientific Method Identify problem Form hypothesis Perform experiments to test hypothesis Record results Analyze results, form conclusion New Approach to Investigation The Scientific Method

Early scientists Began to explain complexities of solar system, limits of physical world Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish astronomer, among first Copernicus’ theory Idea of earth orbiting sun was not completely new Copernicus developed detailed mathematical explanation of process Was first scientist to create complete model of solar system Copernicus Found geocentric theory of movement of sun, moon, planets not accurate Concluded sun, not earth, near center of solar system Heliocentric theory - earth revolves around sun Discoveries in Astronomy, Physics, and Math

Weaknesses of theory Mathematical formulas did not predict positions of planets well Copernicus did not want to be ridiculed for weaknesses Died 1543 after work published, other scientists expanded on ideas On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres Copernicus’ famous book not published until last year of his life Knew church would oppose work Work contradicted teachings of the Catholic Church

Kepler German Scientist - Used data from Danish astronomer Brahe to test Copernicus’s hypothesis using mathematical formulas Protestant - did not fear challenging the Catholic church Solved main problem of Copernican theory Found Copernicus assumption that planets orbited in circle untrue Proved planets orbited in oval pattern, ellipse Proved heliocentric theory correct

More support Italian scientist Galileo Galilei Built first telescope used for astronomy Scanned heavens beginning in 1609 Starry Messenger Galileo described discoveries Craters on moon, sunspots Saturn, moons of Jupiter Milky Way made up of stars Discoveries in Astronomy, Physics, and Math

Galileo’s Theories Brought him into direct conflict with the church Church leaders pressured him not to support ideas of Copernicus Dialogue concerning Two Chief World Systems, 1632, showed support Results of Trial Trial Pope Urban VII ordered Galileo to Rome to stand trial before Inquisition Church wanted to stamp out heresy, or dissenting views Trial held, April 1633 Science and the Church

Change in science world Isaac Newton, English scientist Brought together astronomy, physics, math Wondered about gravity Principia Book explained law of universal gravitation Gravity affects objects on earth, also in universe Keeps planets in orbit Discoveries in Astronomy, Physics, and Math Newton’s Findings Newton developed calculus, new kind of math Used calculus to predict effects of gravity

Just as astronomers moved away from the works of ancient Greeks, other scientists used the scientific method to acquire new knowledge and make great discoveries in the fields of Biology and Chemistry. European Middle Ages doctors relied on Greek, Galen Galen’s works inaccurate Flemish doctor Andreas Vesalius became known for work in anatomy Biology Used bodies of executed criminals for dissection Hired artists to produce accurate drawings On the Workings of the Human Body, 1543 Vesalius English physician, early 1600s Observed, explained workings of human heart Described blood, circulatory system functions William Harvey Discoveries in Biology and Chemistry

Robert Hooke English physician, inventor Used early microscope to describe appearance of plants at microscopic level Credited with creating the term cell Antony van Leeuwenhoek Dutch scientist, 1600s Used interest in developing magnifying lens to invent microscope First to describe appearance of bacteria, red blood cells, yeast, other microorganisms

French chemist, 1700s Developed methods for precise measurements Discovered law of Conservation of Mass, proved matter could not be created, destroyed Recognized, named oxygen, introduced metric system, invented first periodic table Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier Father of modern chemistry First to define element The Sceptical Chemist, 1661, described matter as cluster of tiny particles (now called atoms) Changes in matter occurred when clusters rearranged Boyle’s law - temperature, volume, pressure affect gases Robert Boyle Chemistry

Summarize What were the major contributions made in biology and chemistry? Answer(s): importance of anatomy and dissection; function of blood and circulatory system; invention of microscope; discovery of certain laws of matter

The church feared reason as an enemy of faith, but eventually began to embrace some of the achievements of the Scientific Revolution. As science assumed greater significance, the question of the role of the Roman Catholic Church in a changing culture became important. While the church opposed the views of many scientists, it benefited from new discoveries that made Renaissance art and architecture possible. Church - most powerful institution in Europe, Middle Ages Primary resource for knowledge, learning Cathedral schools, universities trained people to run the church Science and the Church Science and Society Most scientists did not want to challenge role of Christianity Church explained world through inspiration Science explained world through logical reasoning Conflicts

Renaissance Study of art, architecture not separate from study of science Artists learned anatomy in order to paint the body Architecture Mathematics, physics crucial to great architecture Also used in engineering achievements of the time Artists Experimented with chemistry of paints, nature of light Used math to create compositions of perfect balance Science and religion Combined to produce great artistic achievements of Renaissance Most art, architecture dedicated to glory of God Science and Art

Science and Community Scientific Revolution established new way of thinking about physical world Great advances made in astronomy, physics, biology, chemistry Advances influenced developments in arts, architecture Impact of Scientific Revolution soon would cause philosophers, scholars to wonder if reason could solve poverty, war, ignorance

Draw Conclusions How did the Scientific Revolution have an impact beyond the realm of science? Answer(s): led people to question the Church; inspired great artistic achievements; led to new ideas about government, religion, education, and economics.