1. The Scientific Revolution

3. Middle AgesMiddle Ages  Scientific authorities included:  Ancient Greeks  Ptolemy  Aristotle  The Bible

4. Middle AgesMiddle Ages  Ptolemy and Aristotle:  Earth - sphere  Geocentric Theory - Moon, Sun, and planets all revolve in circular paths around Earth.

6. Scientific RevolutionScientific Revolution  Scientific Revolution – new way of thinking about the natural world, based on careful observation.  Logic and reason

7. Scientific MethodScientific Method  Pioneered by:  Francis Bacon (British)  Rene Descartes (French)

10. Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus  Polish cleric (monk)  Studied planetary motion for 25 years.  Developed Heliocentric Theory

11. Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus  Feared how people would respond to his ideas.  Did not publish his theories until 1543, when he was dying.

12. Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus  Copernicus’ Heliocentric Theory held that the Earth and other planets revolve in circular paths around the Sun.

14. Johannes KeplerJohannes Kepler  Tycho Brahe’s assistant  German mathematician  Discovered patterns in Brahe’s mathematic data

15. Johannes KeplerJohannes Kepler  Laws of Planetary Motion  Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun  Planets’ orbits are elliptical, NOT perfect circles.

16. Johannes KeplerJohannes Kepler  Elliptical orbit

17. Galileo GalileiGalileo Galilei  Italian astronomer / physicist  Studied the heavens with his own, home-made telescope.  Disproved many of the Church’s theories at the time.

18. Galileo vs. The ChurchGalileo vs. The Church  Galileo supported Heliocentric Theory, and mocked the Pope for not believing in it.  The Pope had Galileo tried by the Roman Inquisition.  Galileo had to recant (take back) what he had said.

20. Sir Isaac Newton - EnglishSir Isaac Newton - English  1687 Newton published Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica  Included laws of motion & gravity. Also theories on light, color and planetary motion  Created Calculus to prove his theories

21. Effects of the Scientific Revolution  Skepticism and Independent Reasoning: For example, Descartes reached the extreme of skepticism by doubting his own existence. Then, he realized that his own act of thinking proved his own existence (I think, therefore, I am.)  Challenges to Religion: The idea that the universe worked like a machine according to natural laws and without the intervention of God challenged established religious ideas. This position was adopted by the Deists in the 18th century.  Decline in Belief in Magic, Demons, and Witchcraft: By the 18th century, the educated classes denied the existence of demons and the power of witchcraft. The skeptical views of the educated classes were not shared by the common people for whom religion remained important. The result was a divide between learned and popular culture.

22. Effects of the Scientific Revolution  Questions about Humanity's Role in the Universe: By making humans the inhabitants of a tiny planet circling the sun, the Copernican Universe reduced the importance of humanity. It led people to begin to question the place of humanity in creation.  Gave Humanity Control of Nature: Some philosophers argued that by gaining knowledge of the laws of nature, people could control nature. Through science and technology, they could improve human life. This belief in progress became an integral part of Western culture.  Challenges to Established Views of Women: The new scientific ideas challenged the ancient and medieval beliefs about the physical and mental inferiority of women by concluding that both men and women made equal contribution to reproduction. Nevertheless, traditional notions about women continued to dominate

23. #1 Understanding#1 Understanding  You could explain the world by logic, experiment, and observation  INSTEAD OF RELIGION