The Scientific Revolution

The Scientific Revolution These changes also affected what Europeans held as “real” and how they measured knowledge These new approaches would also affect religion, society, and politics The changes began in astronomy, then math, physics, and medicine

Medieval Scientific Theory Believed in an universe governed by God’s will, not fundamental laws. Man and his planet are at the center of everything.

The New Scientific Method Experiments to test theories. Observation, recording results, proving results through research.

Nicholaus Copernicus, 1473-1543 Devoted thirty years to astronomical observation Theorized a heliocentric universe (sun-centered) Copernicus was a physician, economist, lay minister, and an amateur astronomer from Germany Feared condemnation so held off publishing until he was on his deathbed

Copernicus is proven right Tycho Brahe (Danish astronomer) accumulated huge amounts of data from many years of observations. His assistant, Johannes Kepler (German), used his data to support Copernicus’s theory. Brahe Kepler

Brahe actually wanted to prove Copernicus wrong, but Kepler used Brahe’s research to prove him right!

Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642) First to really use a telescope like Kepler, he helped prove Copernicus’s theory Condemned to house arrest by papacy for heresy It does move!! Galileo studied medicine, natural philosophy & mathematics From Italy

Newton spent his later years studying theology Isaac Newton (1642-1727) His “discoveries” spanned Physics (laws of motion and gravity) Math (invented calculus) Astronomy Philosophy Newton spent his later years studying theology

Newton was a member of Parliament and knighted by the queen Sir. Isaac Newton (1642-1727) “If I have been able to see farther than others, it was because I stood on the shoulders of giants.” Nature followed laws!….. laws of gravity, laws of motion….in 1687 he published - Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy Newton was a member of Parliament and knighted by the queen from England

The Three Laws of Motion, 1666 An object in motion tends to stay in motion, while an object at rest tends to stay at rest, unless acted upon by an outside force When a force is applied to an object, it accelerates according to the equation a = F/m (a=acceleration,F=force,m=mass) to every action there exists an equal and opposite reaction

Truth is not known at the beginning of inquiry but at the end, after a long process of investigation.

Rene Descartes (1596 - 1650) French natural philosopher “I think, therefore I am” Discourse on Method (1637): argued that only logic and mathematics are certain Deductive Method: Science begins in the mind with the hypothesis

Scientific Revolution Summary Medieval & early Renaissance Europe believed in a geocentric universe Copernicus and Galileo’s early challenges met with religious disapproval Descartes helps establish keys to the scientific methods By 1700, Newton and his peers began to enjoy a fully scientific culture