The Scientific Revolution 1650s to 1750s “The most important event in European History since the rise of Christianity” “Real origin both of the modern world and the modern mentality”

Why a revolution? Changed mankind’s view of human nature and the human predicament Christian / Jewish teachings lay at core of spiritual & philosophical beliefs for centuries! Permeated all human thought and activity – even politics But scientific growth – starting in 16 th century – introduces a new critical, scientific, “modern” view of man and world – by the late18 th century science is beginning to push religion aside

Physics: Medieval ideas Scientific thought in early 1500s Based on Aristotle ( B.C.) Numerous crystal spheres moved around the earth most desired natural set = at rest “mover” must set everything in motion Earth made of 4 elements: fire, air, earth, water Ptolemy ( A.D.): geocentric conception “perfect” circular motion of the heavenly bodies Why did this idea appeal to Christians? Common sense for what is seen Man at center as critical link with God Planets in Motion

What would rock your worldview? On your slip of paper, explain in 2-3 sentences what type of astronomical or scientific discovery could be made today that might completely alter your understanding of the functioning of the universe or humans place within it.

Transition: The Copernican Revolution Nicolaus Copernicus (1473 – 1543) Polish; University of Cracow, studied medicine Formulates the heliocentric conception of universe On the Revolution of the Heavenly Spheres (De revolutionibus orbium coelestium) Earth rotates on axis once every day Earth rotates around the sun every 365 days Universe is finite Creates doubts about traditional Christian views Criticized by Luther / Calvin Leo X intrigued – but can only be presented as theory

Transition (continued) Tycho Brahe 1546 – 1601 Rejects Copernicus’s idea of heliocentrism Built observatory (new star 1572) Collected data on the stars Mixed theory: All planets, stars rotate around sun and all these rotate around earth Johannes Kepler, 1571 – 1630 Laws of planetary motion – elliptical orbits – prediction of their movements Interest in magnetic force (where’s the “mover”?) Sig: mathematically proved Copernicus’s theory

Does the earth move??? Galileo, 1564 – 1642 Professor at University of Padua Studied the heavens with the use of a telescope Moon not smooth, perfect circle Defended heliocentrism of Copernicus in The Starry messenger, 1610 Church sees Galileo as a threat to the Scriptures Heavens become a thing of matter (not merely spiritual place) Corrected – but teaches heliocentrism anyway (as fact) Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems: Ptolemaic & Copernican, tried for heresy once, recants support of heliocentrism BUT, “And yet, it does move.” Remains under house arrest until his death Acceleration & theory of inertia

And then there was Newton… 1642 – 1727 English Mathematician and physicist Developed calculus (Leibniz, as well) ?? Why do stars move in orderly fashion? Discovers that the physical universe is guided by natural laws (inertia, F=ma, action=reaction) unchangeable and predictable KEY: Universal Law of Gravitation Principia Mathematical proof that the secrets of the universe can be made known to man: World = machine that operates in accordance to natural law in absolute time, space and motion

“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” (Sir Isaac Newton) “Nature and Nature’s laws lay hid in night; God said, Let Newton be! And all was light.” (Alexander Pope)

Scientific Methodology Francis Bacon, English, attorney/writer Father of Scientific Method Promoted inductive method/ empiricism (experimentalism) One must experiment & collect data in order to draw conclusions Science is practical / useful The Great Instauration Novum Organum Science compliments Bible! Rene Descartes French philosopher & mathematician Promoted deductive method = rationalism (systematic doubt)--doubt all – then rebuild Reason out a general law from specific cases Cartesian dualism: matter vs. mind (everything is spiritual or material – no mix) Coordinate geometry “Cogito, ergo sum” Discourse on Method

Advances in Medical Sciences… Galen, 2 nd century A.D. 2 circulatory systems 4 bodily humors4 bodily humors: blood, yellow bile, black bile, phlegm Vesalius, On Fabric of the Human Body, 1543 – practical research = understanding Father of modern biological science William Harvey, English physician On the Motion of the Heart and Blood, 1628 – heart = mechanical pump