The Scientific Revolution (circa 1600 – 1800)

The Scientific revolution shook the foundations of intellectual and theological traditions that formed during the Middle Ages. It would be a misrepresentation to classify the Scientific Revolution as either scientific or as a revolution. The science of the world didn’t change but rather the methodology of science underwent a transformation. This transformation was a gradual process of new ideas replacing the old.

It was inconceivable to medieval scientists that the natural world could be examined outside the realm of religion. The Renaissance created a group of intellectuals who were not afraid to think for themselves. The need for advanced navigational methods (the Age of Exploration) combined with a new way of thinking (Renaissance) fueled the Scientific Revolution.

The new scientific theories were based on the formulation of the scientific method: 1.Reason 2.Systematic observation 3.Experimentation

Francis Bacon: “renounce notions, and begin to form an acquaintance with things.” “Idols” were impediments to clear scientific thinking. Bacon rejected the Aristotle’ idea of speculative reasoning. He believed it was important to observe something in order to determine its nature (Empiricism)

Rene Descartes: Descartes had great faith in the ability of the human mind. Descartes method was to doubt everything, then use reason/logic to deduce the nature of things. “I think therefore I am.”

Descartes: “From time to time I have found that the senses deceive…” Ex. A “snake” could just be a rope in a dark room. Descartes further suggests that even relatively uncontroversial beliefs could be subject to doubt.

Descartes points out that we often make mistakes about reality when we dream. When you are dreaming, it may seem to you that you are sitting in a chair and reading this slide when in fact you are fast a sleep in your bed.

Descartes: “Suppose that a malicious demon of the utmost power and cunning has employed his energies in order to deceive me?...”

Matrix Dialogue Morpheus: “ Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world?

The Matrix Movie simply replaces Descartes’ “malicious demon” with malicious machines.

Descartes clearly reflects a change in thinking. (Question everything) His thinking is in sharp contrast to the medieval way of thinking (ex. don’t question that the earth is at the center of the universe)

The modern scientific method is a combination of Bacon (observation) and Descartes (logic).

Who did the medieval scientists “idolize” (Bacon) ?

Answer: Aristotle & Ptolemy (Geocentric Universe)

Copernicus: He theorized that the sun was at the center of the solar system (Heliocentric system- an ancient Greek idea) He wrongly assumed that the planets traveled in circular orbits. Kepler: He mathematically proved that that the planets traveled in ellipses.

Galileo Galilei: He used a telescope that he made to support Copernicus’s theory that the earth was orbiting the sun (Heliocentric theory)

Both Catholic and Protestant leaders interpreted Galileo's support of the Copernican theory as dangerous to Christian authority (The Pope ordered him to stand trial for heresy.)

William Harvey: Discovered the circulation of blood in humans and animals Sir Isaac Newton: Discovered the Laws of gravity.

Remember to read the detailed answers of the “The Age of Exploration & The Scientific revolution Quiz”