A New World View  Questioning of Old Knowledge and Assumptions  Gradual Replacement of Religious Presumptions  Gradual Rise of Science and Reason

Modern Science and the Age of Reason The Old View *Traditional beliefs about the structure of the universe *Geocentric Theory (Ptolemy) -Earth was the center of the universe -Sun, Moon and the planets revolved around the earth *Ideas were upheld by the church The New View *Scholars challenged the traditional views and beliefs *Heliocentric Theory (Copernicus) -Earth revolves around the sun *Scientific Method and Reason are used to investigate and make new discoveries about the physical world *Ideas were questioned by the church

 Scientific Revolution ’s A new way of thinking about the natural world that challenged traditional views and instead relied upon experimentation A new way of thinking about the natural world that challenged traditional views and instead relied upon experimentation Scientific Method Scientific Method Identify ProblemIdentify Problem Form HypothesisForm Hypothesis Perform Experiments to Test HypothesisPerform Experiments to Test Hypothesis Record ResultsRecord Results Analyze ResultsAnalyze Results Form ConclusionForm Conclusion

Astronomy, Physics, Math  Nicholas Copernicus  Johannes Kepler  Galileo Galilei  Isaac Newton

Copernicus -Poland (early 16th c.)  Contributions in Astronomy, Physics and Math  Geocentric Theory was inaccurate/believed in heliocentric theory  Developed Mathematical Explanations  Created a Complete Model of the Solar System  Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres

Kepler  Found that the planets orbited in an oval pattern (study of celestial mechanics)  Used Mathematical Theory to develop a model of the solar system  Founder of modern science of astronomy  Wanted to Prove Copernicus Wrong but Instead Proved the Heliocentric Theory Correct  “Theory must fit the facts”

Galileo -Italy (early 17th c.)  Built first telescope strengthening heliocentric theory  Claimed that the Bible should not be used to prove scientific theory  Accused of heresy because beliefs questioned the Bible and undermined Christian thought

Newton -England (late 17th c.)  Brought together Astronomy, Physics and Math  Demonstrated that mathematics (calculus) could be used to explain the effects of gravity  Devised three theories of motion, forming his theory of gravity from these laws  Principia

 The Age of Reason ’s & 1700’s Philosophes viewed reason as the best way to understand the truth Philosophes viewed reason as the best way to understand the truth New ideas were debated and writings were published questioning ideas long held as absolute truth New ideas were debated and writings were published questioning ideas long held as absolute truth Natural law or a universal moral law (truth) could be understood by applying reason Natural law or a universal moral law (truth) could be understood by applying reason Challenged beliefs in absolute monarchies Challenged beliefs in absolute monarchies Questioned relationship between church and state Questioned relationship between church and state Debated rules and rights of people in society Debated rules and rights of people in society Believed in the freedom of speech and individual liberties Believed in the freedom of speech and individual liberties

Political Philosophy  Thomas Hobbes  John Locke  Jean-Jacques Rousseau  Baron de Montesquieu  Adam Smith

Hobbes -England (17th c.)  Believed that an Absolute Monarchy was the best type of government  People needed government to impose order People are selfish & greedy and should exchange some freedoms for peace, safety and order Social Contract theorist - believed that people recognized their inherent “evil” and chose to give consent to secure society

Locke -England (late 17th c.)  Government should protect people’s natural rights (life, liberty and property)  Also believed in the existence of a social contract  If Government violates rights then the social contract is destroyed which allows people the opportunity to establish a better contract  Two Treatises of Government

Rousseau -France (18th c.)  Believed that society corrupted people/made man evil  Believed that government should work for the common good and not just the few wealthy  Individuals should give up some freedoms for the benefit of the community  The state should be controlled by the law, which represents the general desires of the people (General Will - What is best for the state)

Montesquieu -France (18th c.)  Believed that a separation of power would keep people from abusing power  A system of checks and balances would prevent the rise of despotism  The Spirit of the Laws Legislative, executive, judicial Legislative, executive, judicial

Adam Smith  “Father of Economics”  Supported Laissez- Faire economics Govn’t should have a hands off approach in business Competition would lead to the appropriate pricing of goods Supply and demand help determine the prices of goods