The Scientific Revolution

Discoveries & Achievements  The Scientific Revolution began in the middle decades of the 16th century and continued through the early part of the 18th century. It involved gradual developments in astronomy, physics, chemistry, and biology. 2

Was there science before the revolution?

Before the 19 th century (1899 and before) what WE call “science” was referred to as …..

This included: Moral Philosophy Theology Numerology Magic

6 Based on ancient speculations: “The School of the Athens” by Raphael (1510)

7 View of the Universe 500 Years Ago: Drawn from Greek & Arabic sources Motionless Earth is at the Center of the Universe. It is surrounded by water, Then a ring of air, then A ring of fire. There were a series of Crystal spheres in which Each heavenly object Was housed. These Moved around the earth.

8 The Ptolemaic Universe : Ideas about uniform circular motion and epicycles were catalogued by Ptolemy in 150 A.D. in his book the Almagest. Ptolemy

9 Aristotle’s Prime Mover Earth is at the center of the Universe All motion in the heavens is uniform circular motion Celestial objects are made from perfect material and cannot change their properties (e.g., their brightness).

10 Philosopher-theologian Thomas Aquinas ( ) rediscovered Aristotle and blended his ideas with medieval theology.

11 Medieval Representation of Ptolemaic Universe STABILITY Earth was at center. Mankind important in God’s plan COMFORT Individual could locate God. Soul’s destination would be above or below. REASSURANCE Divine power would triumph over corruption and decay of earthly things and lift the soul to an afterlife in heaven

12 Aristotle’s Prime Mover became the God of Christian theology. The outermost sphere became the Christian heaven. Earth at center represented the Christian God’s concern for mankind.

13 Science became the domain of the CHURCH because they are the educated class. So trying to develop new ideas in the area of science is the same as HERESY (going against the Church and God)

“Science” Before the Scientific Revolution  Based almost entirely on reasoning  Experimental method or observation wasn’t used at all  Science in medieval times Alchemy Astrology DE Video (pg 3) A medieval alchemist

Factors Leading to the Scientific Revolution  Rise of universities  Contact with non-Western societies  The Renaissance  Exploration  The printing press  The Reformation

In the 1500s and 1600s the Scientific Revolution changed the way Europeans looked at the world. People began to make conclusions based on experimentation and observation, instead of merely accepting traditional ideas. The Scientific Revolution

The Scientific Method By the early 1600s, a new approach to science had emerged, known as the Scientific Method. Unlike earlier approaches, the scientific method did not rely on the classical thinkers or the Church, but depended upon a step-by-step process of observation and experimentation. Scientific Method – painstaking method used to confirm findings and to prove or disprove a hypothesis. Scientists observed nature, made hypotheses, or educated guesses, and then tested these hypotheses through experiments.

Rise of the Scientific Community  Developed the modern scientific method  Universe ordered according to natural laws  Discovered that scientific laws can be discovered by HUMAN REASON  Took the role of a deity or god out of the study of the universe  Mechanical views of the universe  Deistic view of God- great “watchmaker”