During the 16th and 17th centuries, Europeans developed new approaches to and methods for looking at the natural world in what historians have called the Scientific Revolution. Aristotle's classical cosmology and Ptolemy's astronomical system came under increasing scrutiny from natural philosophers (later called scientists) such as Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton. The philosophers Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes articulated comprehensive theories of inductive and deductive reasoning to give the emerging scientific method a sound foundation. Bacon urged the collection and analysis of data about the world and spurred the development of an international community of natural philosophers dedicated to the vast enterprise of what came to be called natural science. In medicine, the new approach to knowledge led physicians such as William Harvey to undertake observations that produced new explanations of anatomy and physiology and to challenge the traditional theory of health and disease (the four humors) espoused by Galen in the second century.
The articulation of natural laws, often expressed mathematically, became the goal of science. The unexpected encounter with the Western Hemisphere at the end of the 15th century further undermined knowledge derived from classical and biblical authorities. The explorations produced new knowledge of geography and the world's peoples through direct observation, and this seemed to give credence to new approaches to knowledge more generally. Yet while they developed inquiry-based epistemological systems, Europeans also continued to use traditional explanations of the natural world based on witchcraft, magic, alchemy, and astrology.
The articulation of natural laws, often expressed mathematically, became the goal of science. The unexpected encounter with the Western Hemisphere at the end of the 15th century further undermined knowledge derived from classical and biblical authorities. The explorations produced new knowledge of geography and the world's peoples through direct observation, and this seemed to give credence to new approaches to knowledge more generally. Yet while they developed inquiry-based epistemological systems, Europeans also continued to use traditional explanations of the natural world based on witchcraft, magic, alchemy, and astrology.
Key Concept: 1.1
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Reading Schedule:
The Scientific Revolution (Pgs. 506 - 513) Important Changes in Scientific Thinking and Practice (Pgs. 513 - 517) The Rise and Spread of Enlightenment Thought (Pgs. 517 - 524) Social Life of the Enlightenment (Pgs. 524 - 532) Enlightened Absolutism (Pgs. 532 - 539) |
Assignments
"Infinite Thanks to God"One aspect of the scientific revolution was the refutation of long held beliefs. In this assignment you must determine if Galileo was more of a scientist or a good Catholic.
Scientific Thought & SocietyHow did scientific thought impact European society and how did the cultural traditions of Europe shape scientific thought. In this assignment you will analyze the effects of science on European civilization.
Infinitely ReasonableBecause of the nature of science itself we view with relative equanimity the prospect of thousands of minds in thousands of laboratories preparing to change our lives. It seems to be the only human activity that is truly democratic, truthful, apolitical, rational and self-regulating.
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The 1755 Lisbon earthquake occurred in the Kingdom of Portugal on Saturday November 1st, the holy day of All Saint's Day. In combination with subsequent fires and a tsunami, the earthquake almost totally destroyed Lisbon and adjoining areas. In the following months and years a debate erupted over the nature of the cause of the disaster.
The German philosopher Immanuel Kant is a giant in the history of modern philosophy. Kant valued the essential ideals of the Enlightenment and viewed the French Revolution, which put these ideals into law, as the triumph of liberty over despotism.
Based on Newton's discovery of a universal law, political philosophers attempted to discover the fundamental laws that should govern mankind.
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