The Scientific Revolution
Madison Spande
The scientific revolution was when modern science started to occur. The development of mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology and chemistry changed the views of society and nature. This was more of an intellectual progress than a political progress due to the vast information gained during this time period.
Theories
Different theories were explored during the scientific revolution. Various people invested time researching different topics, some including:
Copernicus
- Earth was not the center of the solar system
- Earth was only the center for our gravity
- The Sun was the center of the solar system
Brahe
- Designed and built instruments for nightly observation
- Atmospheric Refraction was corrected
Kepler
- Explored planetary motion
- Created photography
- Explained refraction through the eye; the explanation for sight
- Created seeing eye glasses
Galileo
- Constructed a telescope to support the Copernican Theory
- Invested time in studying the universe
Bacon
- Created the scientific method
- Wrote about his desire to change the previously used systems
Newton
- Created the 3 laws of motion:
- An object at rest will stay at rest unless an outside force acts upon it: Inertia
- Acceleration is produced when a force acts on a mass
- For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
Brahe and Kepler:
- Planets move in ellipses with the sun as the focus
Galileo contributed the most to the scientific revolution because he discovered so many things about the universe with his telescope. If we had not used the telescope would not have the information we have today.
Impact on Society
The scientific revolution changed everyday lives in many ways.There were new views on astronomy and basic knowledge of the universe. There was also less religious beliefs and and more secular ideas. This simply cause new ways of thinking. Because of this new way of thinking, the Bible was contradicted by new discoveries. Lastly, this new technology improved trading.
Thomas Hobbes and John Locke
Thomas Hobbes and John Locke were both philosophers that had different opinions on natural laws. John Locke thought that man is a social animal because of nature and how God had made all people subject to a monarch naturally. On the other hand Thomas Hobbes thought that society should not exist other than the power of the state. Both of these ideas are somewhat extensive but a world of John Locke's ideas, of how we we more subjects of God than anything, would be a better environment. This would create equality between everyone because of the lack of status.
Woman during the Scientific Revolution
Women were excluded from societies and institutions because they had to get married and support their family, although, they were able to lead careers in this type of work. Most research took place in the home or women were well located close to home because they had to assist their family. Some wealthy families that believed in proper education of their daughters would set up the proper resources in order to contribute to these new sciences.
Condemning Galileo
Galileo was condemned because he was held to disobey the mandate of 1616. Galileo was found guilty of heresy for his Dialogue, and was sent to his home near Florence where he was to be under house arrest for, what was suppose to be, the remainder of his life. In 1638, the Inquisition let Galileo move back to his home in Florence.
Pascal
Pascal seeked to reconcile faith and reason by urging his people to gain self-reflection and understanding by "learned ignorance" and to discover human kinds greatness. This was discovered though recognizing life's misery.
Economic Expansion
English natural theology supported economic expansion. The English natural theology belief was that god had put humans onto earth to discover and learn. This belief contributed to religious stability and thus improved the economic stance of the western world.
Witch Hunts and Witchcraft
Not everybody was scientifically advanced during this time. Most of Europe’s population was living with the belief that folk stories of witches, dragons, and magic were true. Witch panics occurred in Europe in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries because of fear and ignorance of people. This led to the over 100,000 people dying who were accused of practicing witchcraft. This period of violence lasted into the early seventeenth centuries. The fear and violence that came with the Religious Wars contributed to the violent witch hunts of this time.