1. 12. Ideas & the Human Experience
Unit 1 WH3219
October 2016
Part 1

2. Section Overview
The purpose of this outcome is to investigate how the development of new ideas led to new ways of thinking about the world and humans’ role in it.
We will also consider the influence of ideas and how they can be manifested in human actions.
Our main focus will be on the Scientific Revolution to help illustrate how a change in thinking can lead to new ways of living

3. Scientific revolution
Here is the main focus for this section
1. Briefly explore the following factors that led to the Scientific Revolution,
Renaissance
Reformation
Printing Press (review)
Overseas Exploration
2. How the Scientific Revolution altered people’s perception of the world
3. The long-term consequences of the Scientific Revolution.

4. Scientific revolution
The world we live in today is very much a product of science and the scientific method.
People tend not to believe in things very strongly unless there is “proof” of its value. (a very modern phenomenon in the human experience).
To set a context for the Scientific Revolution, lets briefly examine some notable characteristics of the Western European worldview in the late Middle Ages

5. Medieval Scientific Thought
Until the mid-1500s, magic, mysticism, and ancient writings of Aristotle & Ptolemy formed the basis of scientific thought for Europeans
Explanations of the natural world were tied to religious beliefs / traditions
Geocentric theory: earth-centered view of the universe with heavenly bodies orbiting it

6. The “Old” Worldview Ptolemaic Universe
Consisted of crystal spheres containing orbits of the sun, moon, stars, & planets
Earth was at the center
Beyond the spheres was heaven (God & Angels)

7. Medieval Scientific Thought

8. Medieval Scientific Thought
Most Europeans believed that the earth was flat
Culture was less diverse than today and was very localized.
Few people received formal education; most could not read and write; tradition and the church were sources of knowledge.

9. Medieval Scientific Thought
For Medieval Christians, Aristotle’s beliefs seemed to fit in with their beliefs.
The Catholic Church’s view of the universe was geocentric, created by God to serve people.
The church was very powerful and most people did not question its authority….most Europeans had a faith-based worldview
Few European scholars challenged the scientific ideas of these ancient thinkers or church by carefully observing nature for themselves

10. A New World View
Between the mid-1500s to late 1600s a revolution in science would occur to permanently changed how people viewed the physical world.
This revolution was characterized by: (more on these later)
- discoveries in astronomy
- the appearance of the scientific method & the laws of gravity
- new scientific instruments
- advances in medicine & knowledge of the human body

11. Scientific Revolution Causes
There were several factors that challenged the worldview of Western Europeans in the late Middle Ages and contributed to the Scientific Revolution.
- The Renaissance ( )
- Printing press (1452)
- Protestant Reformation (1517)
- Voyages of exploration (1500s)

12. A. THE RENAISSANCE
Between the 14th – 16th centuries, a new age dawned in Western Europe, given expression by remarkable artists and thinkers.
This age is called the Renaissance, meaning “rebirth.”
The Renaissance marked the transition from medieval times to the early modern world.

13. A. THE RENAISSANCE
During the Renaissance there was a new spirit of adventure and curiosity
- Trade assumed greater importance than before.
- Navigators sailed across the oceans.
- Scientists viewed the universe in new ways.
- Writers and artists experimented with new techniques.

14. Italy The Renaissance (rebirth) began in Italy in the 14th century
Italy’s central location helped make it a center for the trade of goods and ideas.

17. B. THE RENAISSANCE Renaissance thinkers:
- sought to bring Europe out of disorder & disunity.
- placed greater emphasis on individual achievement.
- tried to understand the world with more accuracy.
- revived interest in classical Greek and Roman learning.

18. Humanism
The heart of the Italian Renaissance was humanism: the Renaissance intellectual movement that studied classical cultures to increase understanding of their own times
Although most Renaissance humanists were devoutly religious, they focused on worldly issues rather than religion.

19. Humanism They believed education should stimulate creativity.
They emphasized study of the humanities, such as grammar, rhetoric, poetry, and history.
Humanists studied the works of Greece and Rome to learn about their own culture.

21. Renaissance Legacy
Paintings and sculptures portrayed individuals and nature in more realistic & lifelike ways.
Artists created works that were secular as well as those that were religious.
Writers began to use vernacular languages to express their ideas.
The arts praised individual achievement.
Christian humanists’ attempt to reform society changed views about how life should be lived
People began to question political structures & religious practices

22. Chapter 17, Sec 1 Review
Complete section review handout Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance

23. B. Printing Press Review
Gutenburg’s 1452 invention allowed for the mass publication of literature

24. Printing Press Impact

25. B. Printing Press Impact
Greater availability of books
Increased literacy rates
Rediscovering knowledge and spread of new discoveries
Published legal proceedings led to an increased understanding of rights
Some publications challenged religious authority