1. NEW IDEAS IN SCIENCE AND NATURAL PHILOSOPHY

2. Big Ideas
New ideas in science based on mathematics, observation, and experimentation challenged the classical (Greek and Roman) views to the universe, nature, and the human body. Folk traditions of the universe and nature did persist though.
New ideas and methods in astronomy and mathematics led Copernicus, Galileo and Isaac Newton to develop a heliocentric theory of the universe.
Discoveries in medicine and anatomy led physicians such as William Harvey to view the body as an integrated system that challenged Galen’s theories on humors and disease.
Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes defined inductive and deductive reasoning and promoted experimentation, which led to the scientific method.
Alchemy and astrology still persisted with elites because they supported a predictable and knowable universe. Peasants believed the universe was ruled by divine and demonic forces.

3. The Scientific Revolution
16th century – 18th century
An era of European history that changed the ways the academics in Europe studied and viewed the natural world
Period when Europe began to eclipse the Middle East and Asia in terms of technology and science
Even though its called a “revolution” it was actually only about 50 or so individuals in many different nations who were making advances

4. Key Terms Heliocentric – sun centered
Humors – the four main fluids of the body. Theory was that all disease resulted from an imbalance of these fluids. Theory has been discredited.
Inductive Reasoning – logic used to reach a probable conclusion based on evidence given
Deductive Reasoning – logic which uses a series of true premises to reach an absolute conclusion
Astrology – the idea that the stars and planets affect human events. Theory has been discredited.
Alchemy – the idea that chemical mixtures can be used to transform one element into another. Theory has been discredited.

5. Old Idea - Geocentricism
Prior to the Renaissance, philosophers believed that the Earth was the center of the universe.
Greco-Roman thinkers such as Ptolemy stated that Earth did not move and that everything revolved around it.
The Catholic Church came to support this view as the Bible mentions a geocentric universe.

6. New Idea - Heliocentricism
Starting with Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, people used observation to question the idea of a geocentric universe.
Copernicus stated that the sun was the center of the universe and that the earth revolved around it.
Copernicus’s works were banned by the Catholic Church.
Using an improved telescope, Galileo Galilea used observation to prove the heliocentric theory was true.
The Catholic Church put Galileo on trial and sentenced him to house arrest for life.
Later Isaac Newton would use his theory of gravity to explain the heliocentric theory and further support it.

7. Old Ideas – Humoral Theory
Starting with Hippocrates, the ancient Greeks and Romans believed that the body was composed of four fluids (humors):
Blood
Phlegm
Black Bile
Yellow Bile
It was believed that all disease or illness was caused by an imbalance in these humors.
Roman physician Galen used this theory to support his fairly accurate description of the heart and circulatory system.
Practices like blood-letting were derived from Humoral theory.

8. New Ideas – Anatomy and the Body as an Integrated System
Physicians such as William Harvey began to use dissection and observation to create new theories about how the human body worked.
Harvey was the first to describe how the heart and circulatory system pumped blood to the brain.
Andreas Vesalius (father of anatomy) would dissect executed criminals in order to describe how organs, muscles, and bones worked together.
Paracelsus was a physician who publicly stated that ancient texts were not useful in medicine and that only observation could help people understand the body and nature.

9. New Ideas – Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Rene Descartes was a French philosopher who used deductive reasoning and logic to try and prove hypotheses.
Descartes is famous for “I think, therefore I am” (Cogito ergo sum). His proof of his own existence.
Descartes famously claimed to have proven the existence of God through deductive reasoning.
Francis Bacon was an English philosopher who relied on empiricism (observation and experimentation) in order to prove hypotheses.
Francis Bacon’s reliance on experiments helped create the modern scientific method.

10. Old Ideas that Stuck Around – Alchemy, Astrology, Demons, and Angels
Despite the advances in science, medicine, astronomy and anatomy many people still held to old outdated ideas.
Alchemy was the idea that a person could use chemicals to transform metals into gold or silver or to grant eternal life.
Isaac Newton and Paracelsus believed strongly in alchemy.
Astrology was the idea that stars and planets could affect human events and behavior.
Johannes Kepler, who made very detailed mathematical analyses on the universe still believed in astrology.
Learned men of the time believed in these things because they supported the idea of a knowable and predictable universe.
Peasants still believed in superstitions such as witchcraft, demons, and angels because they were not involved in the scientific community.

11. Short Answer Practice
Instructions: A short answer question is one that should be answered in roughly a paragraph. Your answer should be about five sentences in length. You DO NOT need a thesis sentence for a short answer.
Question:
How did the ideas of science and philosophy change and stay the same based on influence of philosophy. Which of the philosopher’s ideas were most widely accepted?