1. Mr. Meester AP European History Pages 459-466
The New Philosophy
Mr. Meester
AP European History
Pages

2. Nature as a Mechanism
The Scientific Revolution pushed scientists and philosophers to try to explain the world in mechanical terms.
God was described as a watchmaker and the universe a watch that functioned automatically.
Mathematics becomes the key Science and Natural Philosophy.

3. Francis Bacon
The author of Advancement of Learning (1605) and an advocate of experimental approaches to knowledge, Francis Bacon ( ) formalized empiricism, an approach using inductive reasoning.
Bacon himself did few experiments but believed empiricism would produce useful, rather than purely theoretical, knowledge.
This became the basis of the Scientific Method

4. Rene’ Descartes
Helped to bring the use of scientific knowledge in the development of human philosophy.
Emphasized human reasoning as the best road to understanding. (Deductive reasoning)
“I Think, Therefore I Am”

5. Thomas Hobbes ( )
Hobbes was well read/traveled 17th century political philosopher
In 1651 he wrote Leviathan in response to the English Civil War
Argued in favor of a strong centralized government (Absolutism)
Disagreed with both ancient & religious views on human nature
Humans survive due to the fact they entered into political/social contract
The form of absolute government mattered little

6. John Locke ( )
Locke was the most influential political philosopher of the 17th century
His Two Treatises of Government became the basis of liberal thought in Europe & America
Locke was heavily involved in the Restoration period after the English Civil War
First Treatise of Government
Second Treatise of Government
Disagreed with Hobbes
Letter Concerning Toleration
Still had issue with the church