III. Scientific Revolution (~1550-1700) A. What changed? 1. Grew out of the Renaissance 2. New fields of natural science developed 3. Challenged many teachings of the Church (Geo-Centrism: Universe revolves around the earth) 4. People began to ‘think differently’ (INNOVATION) and question authority
B. Major Figures 1. Astronomy & Physics a. Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) i. Possible that Earth revolved around Sun b. Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) i. Laws of planetary motion (basis for understanding solar system)
c. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) i. Invented the telescope ii. Validated Copernicus’s theory that planets & Sun did NOT revolve around Earth (through direct observation) iii. Helio-Centrism: Sun was center of universe
d. Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) i. Built off the discoveries of Kepler & Galileo ii. Heavenly bodies and motion controlled by gravity and created the Law of Gravity
C. Changing Worldview 1. Began to understand the natural world outside the biblical model 2. We are not the center of the universe