1. The Scientific Revolution

2. The Scientific Revolution
How was science becoming more modern in the West?
Do you find that a particular development stands out among the rest?

3. The Scientific Revolution
The Context
Scientific Revolution (16th-18th centuries)
Ancient and Medieval Mindset
Dependent on Greco-Roman thinkers
Science vs. pseudoscience?
Europe still very “religious,” “superstitious”

4. The Scientific Revolution

5. The Scientific Revolution
The Old Astronomy
Ptolemaic Theory
GEOCENTRIC universe
Bible, human observation “support” this
Celestial bodies contain “ether”

6. The Scientific Revolution
Nicolaus Copernicus ( )
On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Orbs (1543)
Proposed HELIOCENTRIC universe
Remained hypothesis initially

7. The Scientific Revolution
Johann Kepler ( )
Provided mathematical confirmation for Copernicus’s theory
Laws of Planetary Motion
Planets follow elliptical orbits, not circular
Distance and time of revolution in constant ratio

8. The Scientific Revolution
Galileo Galilei ( )
Advocate of Copernican theory
Discoveries with telescope
Imperfections on moon
Sunspots

9. The Scientific Revolution

10. The Scientific Revolution
Galileo: Outspoken Advocate of Copernican Theory
Asked to treat theory as hypothesis, not fact – but did not!
Tried by Inquisition (1633)  recanted
Died within Catholic Church (1642)

11. The Scientific Revolution

12. The Scientific Revolution
Questions?

13. The Scientific Revolution
Further Advances
Physics: Law of Gravity
Chemistry: use chemicals to treat disease
Bloodletting

14. The Scientific Revolution
Discoveries in Biology
Human anatomy
Blood circulation
Bacteria discovered with microscope
Vesalius and students

15. The Scientific Revolution
The Scientific Method
Empirical observation
Experimentation
Data

16. The Scientific Revolution
Scientific Discoveries  Revolution in Thought
Old paradigms swept away
Faith in human reason  optimism
Skepticism beginning to brew  need for evidence

17. The Scientific Revolution
John Locke ( )
Political theorist
People possess “natural rights”
Function of government
Protect everyone’s rights
Mutual contract between ruler and ruled
Break in contract  ruled have right to reconsider ruler

18. The Scientific Revolution
Questions?

19. The Scientific Revolution
How was science becoming more modern in the West?
Do you find that a particular development stands out among the rest?