PHILOSOPHY RESPONDS TO CHANGING SCIENCE Cristian Guzman & Shawn Wright Block 4G 12/12/11

IMPORTANT FIGURES  Francis Bacon  Rene Descartes  Thomas Hobbes  John Locke

 The proponents of the new science sought to explain the world in terms of mechanical metaphors, or the language of machinery. MECHANISM “My aim in this is to show that the machine of the universe is not similar to a divine animated being, but similar to the clock.” - Johannes Kepler

FRANCIS BACON ( )

 Empirical Method The approach of using a collection of data to base a theory or derive a conclusion in science.  Urged contemporaries to strike out on their own in search of a new understanding in nature. FRANCIS BACON: THE EMPIRICAL METHOD  Looked to a future of material improvement through the empirical examination of nature.  Believed science had a practical purpose and its goal was future improvement.

RENE DESCARTES ( )

 Method of rational deduction: He began by saying that he would doubt everything except those propositions about which he could have clear and distinct ideas. Rejected all forms of intellectual authority except the convictions of his own reason RENE DESCARTES: THE METHOD OF RATIONAL DEDUCTION  Divided existing things into two basic categories: Thinking things (mind) Things occupying space (body)  Separated mind from body to banish such things from the realm of scientific speculation

THOMAS HOBBES ( )

 Was an atheist, but thoughts echoed Calvinism  Was a political philosopher  Deeply concerned with the problem of how a strong central political authority might receive rigorous philosophical justification THOMAS HOBBES: APOLOGIST FOR ABSOLUTISM  He traced all psychological processes to bare sensation and regarded all human motivation as egoistical, intended to increase pleasure and minimize pain  Human reasoning penetrated to no deeper reality or wisdom than those physical sensations

 Unlike both previous Christian philosophers human beings existed for no higher spiritual ends or larger moral purposes other than those of meeting the needs of daily life  Hobbes didn’t believe humans were naturally rather self-centered creatures lacking a master THOMAS HOBBES: APOLOGIST FOR ABSOLUTISM  According to his account human beings in their natural state are inclined to a “perpetual and restless desire” for power  Hobbes analysis would grow over the next three centuries as political and religious authority in the west became increasingly separated.  “A war of every man against every man”- Thomas Hobbes

JOHN LOCKE ( )

 His philosophical works dealing with human knowledge became the most important work of psychology for the 18 th century  Had puritan sympathies JOHN LOCKE: DEFENDER OF MODERATE LIBERTY AND TOLERATION  Became deeply involved with the politics of the English restoration period  Wrote two treaties on government published in 1960

 In the first he rejected arguments for absolute government that based political authority on the patriarchal model of father ruling over a family  Presented an extended argument for a government that must necessarily be responsible for and responsive to the concerns of the governed and portrayed the natural rights of life, liberty, and property. LOCKE’S TWO TREATIES First Treaty Second Treaty

 Locke, contrary to Hobbes, regarded human beings in their natural state as creatures of reason and basic good will  If the rulers abuse the people’s trust they have the right to replace them JOHN LOCKE: DEFENDER OF MODERATE LIBERTY AND TOLERATION  Locke’s Letter Concerning Toleration, established a powerful foundation for the future extension of toleration religious liberty and the separation of church and state

 He hoped to elucidate the basic structures of human thought  For Locke, reason and revelation were compatible and together could sustain a moderate religious faith that would avoid religious conflict JOHN LOCKE: DEFENDER OF MODERATE LIBERTY AND TOLERATION  In the Essay Concerning Human Understanding stated that human knowledge is grounded in the experiences of the senses and in the reflection of the mind on those experiences  Rejected any belief in innate ideas

MAJOR WORKS OF THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION  1543 – On Revolutions of the Heavenly Sphere (Copernicus)  1605 – The Advancement of Learning (Bacon)  1609 – The New Astronomy (Kepler)  1620 – Novum Organum (Bacon)  1632 – Dialogues on the Two Chief World Systems (Galileo)  1637 – Discourse on Method (Descartes)  1651 – Leviathan (Hobbes)  Principia Mathematica (Newton)  1689 – Letter Concerning Toleration (Locke)