THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION

MAJOR FACTORS LEADING TO THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION -rise of universities in the High Middle Ages -broadening of the curriculum -rising community of intellectuals pursuing knowledge interest in the idea of human potential and progress -recovery of classical texts (mathematics) -Renaissance pattern of patronage allowed individuals to pursue scientific investigation (Galileo was supported by the Medicis)

THE COPERNICAN REVOLUTION A SHIFT TO HELIOCENTRISM

NICOLAUS COPERNICUS (1473-1543) -Polish astronomer -questioned Ptolemy’s complicated explanation of planetary movements -proposed a sun centered universe (heliocentric) -planets and stars revolved around a fixed sun -On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres - published in 1543

ON THE REVOLUTION OF THE HEAVENLY SPHERES

COPERNICAN SYSTEM

JOHANNAS KEPLER (1571-1630) -German astronomer -formulated the three laws of planetary motion -orbits of the planets are elliptical -velocity of a planet’s orbit is not uniform -time it takes a planet to orbit the sun is related to its distance from the sun -Kepler provided sound mathematical proofs for Copernicus’ heliocentric theory

JOHANNAS KEPLER THE THREE LAWS OF PLANETARY MOTION

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) -Italian philosopher and astronomer -viewed the physical universe as a “Book of Nature…written in mathematical characters.” Improved on the telescope allowed him to observe the motion of the planets and the surface of the sun and moon -came to accept Copernicus’ idea of a heliocentric universe (based on observations) The Dialogue- Galileo’s discussion of his ideas regarding heliocentrism

-Galileo’s views were challenged by the Church Church feared that helio-centrism would undermine its authority and theology Based on the geo-centrism of Aristotle -Galileo was brought before the Inquisition works were banned and teachings were condemned placed on the Index of Prohibited Books -he was threatened with torture and excommunication and was placed under house arrest -Galileo recanted his views shortly before his death

GALILEO PROVIDED EVIDENCE FOR HELIOCENTRICISM (OBSERVATIONS OF THE MOONS OF JUPITER)

GALILEO OBSERVED JUPITER AND THE ROTATION OF ITS MOONS

THE DIALOGUE

SIR ISAAC NEWTON

Isaac Newton (1642-1723) -English mathematician – Cambridge University -built on the work of Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo (Newtonian synthesis) -1686 formulated the mathematics for the universal law of gravitation (every physical body in the universe exerts a force on every other body) -proved that the universe was governed by precise mathematical relationships

-Newton was deeply Christian (theistic) in his thinking the physical order “can be the effect of nothing else than the wisdom and skill of a powerful ever-living agent.” -the science of Newton would lay the foundation for the science of the western world

UNIVERSAL LAW OF GRAVITATION NEWTONIAN SYNTHESIS-RATIONAL PROOF FOR THE HELIOCENTRIC MODEL

NEWTON’S LAW OF GRAVITY

SIR FRANCIS BACON EMPIRICISM (SCIENTIFIC METHOD) INDUCTIVE –TRUTH CLAIMS HAD TO BE EMPIRICIALLY VERIFIED

Francis Bacon (1561-1626) -English politician and writer (not a scientist) -knowledge comes through observation and experimentation (SCIENTIFIC METHOD) -allow the “facts” to speak for themselves and draw conclusions based on those facts (inductive reasoning-EMPIRICISM) -increase in knowledge would lead to powerful nations and an increase in personal wealth

EMPIRICAL MODEL ALL KNOWLEDGE HAD TO BE EMPIRICALLY (SCIENTIFICALLY) VERIFIED TO BE VALID

INDUCTIVE MODEL

RENE’ DESCARTES “I think, therefore, I am.”

Rene’ Descartes 1596-1650 French mathematician Invented analytical geometry Developed a scientific method based on rational deduction rather than empirical induction Stressed rational speculation and reflection Descartes believed that he could rationally prove the existence of God

DEDUCTIVE MODEL

DESCARTES’ IDEAS IMPACTED THE WAY THE MODERN WORLD WOULD COME TO LOOK AT KNOWLEDGE AND TRUTH DUALISM SUBJECTIVE MIND SPIRITUAL INTUITIVE NOT OPEN TO EMPIRICAL OR MATHEMATICAL VERIFICATION OBJECTIVE PHYSICAL (MATTER) SCIENTIFIC MATHEMATICAL RATIONAL

BLAISE PASCAL 1623-1662 FRENCH MATHEMATICIAN AND PHILOSOPHER FIRST TO USE PROBABILITY THEORY DEVELOPED THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CALCULUS CHALLENGED WHETHER HUMAN REASON COULD REALLY ADDRESS LIFE’S GREATEST QUESTIONS. DEEPLY CHRISTIAN THINKER STRESSED THE “REASON OF THE HEART” OVER PURE REASON AND LOGIC

PENSEES COMPILATION OF PASCAL’S REFLECTIONS ON CHRISTIAN TRUTH COMPILED AFTER HIS DEATH MOST WELL KNOW LITERARY WORK

PASCAL’S WAGER PASCAL USED A MATHEMATICAL ANALOGY TO EXPLAIN HIS FAITH IN GOD BELIEVED THAT ONE HAD TO TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH TOWARD GOD “WAGER” THAT GOD’S REVELATION WAS TRUE AND REAL IF ONE WINS THE WAGER – GAIN EVERYTHING LOSE THE WAGER- LOSE NOTHING LOGIC AND REASON COULD NOT BRING ONE TO ULTIMATE CERTAINTY CHALLENGED DESCARTES CONFIDENCE IN REASON AS THE PATH TO TRUTH (GOD)

PASCAL’S CALCULATING MACHINE

THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION WOULD IMPACT THE DEVELOPMENT OF TWO 18TH CENTURY MOVEMENTS THE ENLIGHTENMENT AND THE INDUSTIRAL REVOLUTION