1. Aim: Identify circumstances that led to the Scientific Revolution

2. The Roots of Modern Science
Before 1500, Few European scholars challenged the scientific ideas of the ancient thinkers or the church
Medieval View
During Middle Ages, most scholars believed that the earth was an immovable object located at center of universe
Earth-centered view of the universe was called the Geocentric Theory
Idea came from Aristotle
Christianity taught that God had deliberately placed the earth at center of Universe
Mid-1500’s: Scholars develop new theories
Referred to as the Scientific Revolution
Based on observations and questionings 2

3. Revolutionary Model of the Universe
Early challenge to accept scientific thinking came in the field of astronomy
The Heliocentric Theory
Geocentric theory did not accurately explain the movements of the sun
Problem troubled astronomer Nicholas Copernicus
Copernicus reasoned that stars and planets revolved around the sun
Knew that clergy would reject theory
Didn’t publish findings until 1543
1601: Johannes Kepler concluded that mathematical laws governed planetary movement
Laws showed that planets revolve around the sun in elliptical orbits instead of circles 3

4. Conflicts with the Church
1609: Galileo built telescope to study heavens
Noted that earth’s moon had rough uneven surface
Galileo’s findings frightened Church leaders
Logic in fear: If people thought Church was wrong in this, they would question other things
1616: Church warned Galileo not to defend Copernicus ideas
1632: Galileo published book that presents ideas of Copernicus & Ptolemy
Pope summoned Galileo to Rome to stand trial
1633: Galileo signed confession
Stated that Copernicus’s theory was wrong 4