1. Westfall Chap. 2-8 Jessica, Thomas, Koen, Floris, BJ History & Philosophy of Science, Sci101, UC Fall 2002

2. Presentation Outline I.Jessica (C irculation and Ovism) II.Discussion III.Floris ( The 17 th Century Scientific Attitude) IV.Discussion V.Coffee & Tea

3. Circulation and Ovism Jessica

4. William Harvey

5. ~ The heart is the household divinity which, discharging its function, nourishes, cherishes, quickens the whole body, and is indeed the foundation of life, the source of all action ~

6. Descartes vs. Harvey

7. Ex Ovo Omnia

8. Homunculus

9. Discussion Remember participation is likely to positively influence your grade.

10. Proposition The human being is mainly an organic body as opposed to a spiritual mind.

11. Proposition Was Francis Bacon correct in his opinion about science and the idea that science subjects nature to its authority?

12. Proposition Is Descartes still a true mechanist when you consider his expression ‘cogito ergo sum’ which was according to him the most fundamental truth?

13. Floris On the 17 th Century Scientific Attitude

14. What is ‘Revolution’? A brainstorm.

15. Was the 17 th Century a ‘Scientific Revolution?’ “[T]he reformulation of conceptions was radical enough to warrant the name ‘revolution’ that was frequently applied to it.” - Westfall (1971, page 105)

16. Questions –What is ‘revolution?’ –Why was the 17 th century a scientific revolution?

17. Dictionary “Revolution (1) In social sciences: (…) (2) A dramatic and wide-reaching change in the way something works or is organized or in people’s ideas about it, e.g. marketing underwent a revolution.” - The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Pearsall, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1998

18. Philosopher on ‘Revolution’ Kuhn: –Scientific ‘development’ only within a certain paradigm –Revolution = Paradigm Change

19. Distinction ‘Ordinary’ Scientific Development –Neatly categorising all animals and describing what they look like. Revolution (part of) –Copernicus’ theory that the sun was the centre of the universe (  paradigm change)

20. Was the 17 th Century a ‘Scientific Revolution?’ William of Ockham’s Razor: ‘If all things are equal, the most simple explanation is the right one.’ By the way, he was a Medieval Philosopher.

21. Difference between books What is the difference between Westfall’s and Lindberg’s book? –Westfall: 17 th Century / Lindberg: Before –What occurs to you at first glance? –Look at Westfall chapter III, VII or VIII.

22. Westfall (the 17 th Century) Much more formula’s and complex figures. (Content) research is more specific –scientists endeavour to specifically and critically test hypotheses experiments to verify theories = a different scientific attitude

23. Karl Popper A scientist should try do everything in his power to prove his theory to be incorrect (falsification) If he cannot prove his theory to be incorrect, but tried, then the theory is nice. If he proves it to be incorrect, he can adjust it. Therefore, this attitude leads to development.

24. Example of Scientific Attitude Pascal suspected that atmospheric pressure influenced the ‘barometer.’ He figured that if this was so, then the barometer’s value would differ on different heights. He performed the ‘mountain experiment.’

25. Conclusions The 17 th Century differed essentially from previous era: –Refusal of authority (remember v. Helden) –Critical Hypothesis Testing =Different Scientific Attitude Code Word: Criticism

26. A Closing Remark ‘Science is an honour of the human race. Therefore, it is justified to say that it must be available for everyone.’ –Anna Maria van Schuurman (Utrecht), 1624 (unofficial transl. by F.)

27. Discussion Remember participation is likely to positively influence your grade.

28. Discussion Design Remember participation is likely to positively influence your grade. One proposition Group A – In favour Group B – Against 1 minute preparation

29. Proposition Descartes erased his harddrive and constructed a philosophy from scratch. – Is this possible in principle? – Did he succeed?

30. Proposition Was Newton a philosopher just like Descartes? – Is it so that every scientific breakthrough brings a new perspective and is therefore automatically interwoven with philosophy?

31. Proposition Alchemy in the 17th century accomplished more than general chemistry. – Did the mechanical philosophy cause any advancements within chemistry? – What about alchemy? – Is a scientific theory inferior because it accepts the occult? - ‘The purpose of science is the relief of man’s estate, the comfort and convenience of human life.’ (Westfall, paraphrasing F. Bacon)

32. Proposition Better instrumentation contributed the most to all the new discoveries in the 17 th century.

33. Proposition Was Newton the end of Mechanical Philosophy?

34. The end Enjoy your coffee & tea