1. Scientific Revolution New Directions: 16 th and 17 th Centuries

2. The Scientific Revolution Revolution? – Only involved a few people – Slow change, long period of time – YET – sweeping change that changes Europe socially, religiously, intellectually – Helps lead to European domination of the world

3. Medieval vs. Modern World Medieval view of the world – Primarily religious and theological – Political theory based on divine right of kings – Society largely governed by Church views, traditions, and practices – Superstition played major role in the lives of the people – Scientific thought in the early-16 th century was still based on Medieval ideas Views about the universe were largely influenced by the ancient ideas of Aristotle The geocentric view held that the earth was the center of a static, motionless universe Science was essentially a branch of theology Modern View: Secular – Secularism emerged and many educated people became openly hostile to religion  The revolution in learning became a major foundation in Western society Fast changing Technologically driven Word “scientist” did not exist until 1830 (before that: natural philosophy)

4. Two Factors Reformation: Split Chritianity Led to questioning of medieval order and the Catholic theology New World Discoveries: New knowledge of another world with a different culture Caused doubt – what else did they NOT KNOW?

5. Causes of the Scientific Revolution Medieval universities provided the framework. By 1300, philosophy had become an accepted discipline (in addition to law, medicine, and theology Major scientific figures either studied or taught at universities The Renaissance stimulated science by rediscovering ancient mathematics. Renaissance patronage was often scientific as well as artistic and humanistic Navigational problems on sea voyages in the age of overseas expansion created a need for scientific advances

6. Most Important New Inventions: Telescope (1608) Microscope (1590)

7. Overthrew the Ptolemaic View of the Universe: (150 C.E- 16 th Century C.E)

8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utH- GHH1FT8&feature=player_detailpage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utH- GHH1FT8&feature=player_detailpage Copernicus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d2Tjwxm ueQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d2Tjwxm ueQ

9. Impact of the Scientific Revolution on Society Led directly to the Enlightenment of the 18 th century Improvements in exploration (e.g. John Harrison’s chronometer gave mariners the ability to easily determine longitude by the late-18 th century) Spirit of experimentation perhaps helped accelerate the agricultural revolution—18 th century Improvements in medical knowledge helped improve the quality of life later (19 th & 20 th centuries) Reduced support for witch hunts by discrediting superstition and witchcraft as fallacies. Science and religion were not in acute conflict until the 19 th and 20 th centuries.

10. No attempt in 17 th and 18 th centuries to secularize science – Scientists believed they were studying and analyzing God’s creation. – Universal agreement among scientists and philosophers regarding the supernatural origin of the universe. – Debate centered on the extent to which God continued to be involved in his Creation. After Catholic Counter Reformation, the Church became more hostile to science and science declined in Italy (but not France). Protestant countries became the leaders of the scientific revolution, especially England

11. New Science and Religion Three major issues: – Certain scientific theories and discoveries conflicted with Scripture – Who resolves such disputes: religious authorities or natural philosophers? – New science’s apparent replacement of spiritually significant universe with purely material one Representative incident: Roman Catholic authorities condemn Galileo, 1633—under house arrest for last nine years of his life Catholic Inquisition places Copernicus’s On the Revolution of the Heavenly Spheres on Index of Prohibited Books, 1616 OOPS- Roman Catholic Church formally admits errors of biblical interpretation in Galileo’s case, 1992

12. Impact on Philosophy Scientific revolution  major reexamination of Western philosophy Nature as mechanism—clock metaphor; God as clockmaker Purpose of studying nature changes: – Search for symbolic/sacramental meaning  search for usefulness/utility – Path to salvation  path to human physical improvement

13. Baroque Art http://youtu.be/gxZIu4SEpz8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kDg9PZv wXs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kDg9PZv wXs