The Scientific Revolution

The Philosophical Medieval View Aristotle & Ptolemy from Greece supported the Geocentric theory: Earth was an unmoving object located at the center of the universe- the sun and planets moved around the Earth Religion guided views too: Christianity taught that God had placed Earth at the center of the universe.

Geocentric Theory

Aristotle Old Belief: the world is flat, covered by a bowl above New Theory: Geocentric Theory – the world is round, and is the center of the universe Findings: Uses logical reasoning Reactions: affirms religious teachings Impact: theories last for over 1,000 years

Aristotle (384BC – 322BC) Greek philosopher Developed geocentric model. Philosophies had long-lasting effects on philosophical theories.

Claudius Ptolemy (85AD – 165AD) Greek astronomer, mathematician & geographer Expanded Aristotle’s geocentric theory. Introduced trigonometry methods.

Before the Scientific Revolution Science was called “natural philosophy” Science mixed with moral philosophy, theology, numerology, & magic Ancient Greek sources highly trusted Few experiments were performed

What was the Scientific Revolution? From 1542 to 1700 Development of new ways to study universe Old authorities no longer blindly accepted Application of mathematics to natural world Creation and spread of new ideas and discoveries

Causes of the Scientific Revolution The voyages of discovery and colonization Ancient & Medieval works translated into Latin, then vernacular languages New inventions & institutions that promoted sharing of knowledge

Heliocentric Model Earth is not center of the universe Earth is just another planet Earth revolves around the Sun Night and day caused by Earth’s rotation

Geocentric vs. Heliocentric Models Heliocentric Theory Geocentric vs. Heliocentric Models http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyQ8Tb85HrU

Nicolaus Copernicus Old Belief: Geocentric theory New Theory: Heliocentric Theory – the sun is at the center of the universe Findings: Maps the sky for 20 years Reactions: Disbelief and outrage – “this goes against the church’s teachings!” Impact: Father of modern Astronomy

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) Sun-centered universe – heliocentric theory Earth is no different than any other planet On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres (1543) http://www.npr.org/2011/11/08/141931239/for-copernicus-a-perfect-heaven-put-sun-at-center

Tycho Brahe & Johannes Kepler Old Belief: Geocentric theory (perfectly circular orbits, universe never changes) New Theory: Heliocentric theory, elliptical orbits, universe is changing Findings: View a supernova, use complex mathematics to prove theory Reactions: Disbelief Impact: No credit until after death

Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) Uses experiments & observations Planetary movement is a mathematical formula Planets move around the Sun in elliptical orbits NOT circles Confirms Copernicus ideas

Galileo Galilei Old Belief: Geocentric theory, universe is perfect & unchanging New Belief: Universe is imperfect & changing Findings: Creates telescope to view the heavens, pendulum, falling objects at fixed and predictable rates Reactions: Attacked by the Inquisition – spends rest of life under house arrest Impact: Discovery of Jupiter’s moons, sun spots, and visual proof of Helocentricity

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) GALILEO – designs 1st telescope w/lens & sees movement of stars & moons (similar to the movement of the planets) Church believes heavens are fixed, unmoving & earth is central  they are furious w/Galileo! Galileo accused of heresy (crimes against Church)  1633 brought to trial before Catholic Inquisition & he recants his statements

Why did the Catholic Church care? Galileo was CATHOLIC! The Protestant Reformation Events had disturbed the faith of many Christians Movements in the heavens which contradicted Church doctrine

Isaac Newton Old Belief: Geocentric theory, spirits control the movement of heavenly bodies New Belief: Heliocentric theory, gravity Findings: Complex mathematics prove Newton’s “3 laws” Reactions: wide-spread acceptance Impact: Father of engineering and physics

Isaac Newton (1642-1727) Universal law of motion  every object in universe attracts every other object Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy (1687) - Explained gravity (what goes up must come down) Universe is a giant clock- all parts work together but God set clock in motion.

Geocentric vs. Heliocentric Video Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOxtiUPdHiM (7 minutes)

Galen of Pergamum Old Belief: Body is controlled by spirits New Belief: Body can be understood through examination Findings: Dissection of animals to learn about human body Reactions: Acceptance – God made all of us after all Impact: Founder of anatomy – theories untested for over 1,000 years!

Andreas Vesalius Old Belief: Dissection of bodies is a sin New Belief: Human dissection is essential to medicine Findings: Dissected human corpses to prove theories Reactions: Acceptance – can’t argue with physical evidence Impact: Founder of modern science of anatomy and physiology

Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564) First to dissect human bodies (even though a disapproved practice) Wrote On the Fabric of the Human Body (1543) His published observations included detailed drawings of human organs, bones & muscle.

William Harvey Old Belief: Food is turned into blood in the heart New Belief: The heart constantly recycles the same blood Findings: Observed a still-beating heart Reactions: Many unwilling to accept his theories Impact: Father of physiology – how the body works

Francis Bacon Old Belief: logic and reason are sufficient to prove a scientific belief New Belief: experimentation is necessary to prove a theory Findings: creates the Scientific Method Reactions: ignored by Queen Elizabeth, but knighted by James I Impact: father of “empiricism” – knowledge can only come from experimentation

The Scientific Method Observation Research Hypothesis Experiment Analysis Conclusion

Rene Descartes Old Belief: Math and philosophy should be separate sciences New Belief: Math and philosophy can be used together to do amazing things Everything should be questioned Findings: Cartesian coordinates, no limits to God’s creation Reactions: Math was controversial, but logical reasoning was supported Impact: Father of Geometry and Western Philosophy

Rene Descartes (1596-1650) French scientist & mathematician. Developed analytical geometry (links both algebra & geometry) Developments provided new tools for scientific research.