|
|
Objective: List the ways in which the scientific
revolution and its scholars altered society’s view of
life, God, religion & the world.
1. Introduction:
A. Background:
Traditional Thought
New Views
B. Astronomy:
Copernicus
Kepler
Galileo
Newton
C. Impact of Science:
Medicine
Women
Rational Thought
Religion
D. Spread of Knowledge:
Method
Societies
Society
2. Background:
A. Traditional Thought:
medieval scholars had interest in science:
based on few ancient authorities
worked within strict theological framework
Renaissance offered new thoughts:
contradictory information available
new scientific work to study various schools of thought
study of scientific world through art
scientific observation & measurement encouraged:
trade
telescope & microscope
printing press
renewed interest in mathematics
B. New Views:
interest in Greek thought & study:
astronomy
mechanics
medicine
challenged geocentric view of universe:
earth & man at center
surrounded by spheres which moved in concentric circles
God outside circles
3. Astronomy:
A. Copernicus:
Polish mathematician (1473-1543):
believed Ptolemaic theory too complicated
On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres (1543)
heliocentric view
earth rotated on axis
B. Kepler:
studied astronomy & mathematics (1571-1630):
interested in astrology & mathematical magic
universe understood via geometry
work confirmed heliocentric theory
C. Galileo:
first to study heavens with telescope (1564-1642):
observed various objects invisible to naked eye
The Starry Messenger (1610)
universe composed of earthlike materials
man no longer at center
challenged by Catholic Church
D. Newton:
mathematician at Cambridge university (1642-1727):
Principia (1687)
law of gravitation pieced together work of others
new mechanical cosmology for universe
worked according to natural laws in time, space & motion
4. Impact of Science:
A. Medicine:
science impacted medical field:
practical research to understand human anatomy
On the Fabric of the Human Body (1543)
Vesalius combined advancements in art, printing press & research in
his book
On the Motion of the Heart and Blood (1628)
Harvey demonstrated blood circulation
theory laid foundation for modern physiology
B. Women:
science not a traditional interest for women
Cavendish - Grounds of Natural Philosophy (1668)
attacked defects of rational & empirical approaches
critic of idea that man, via science, was master of nature
women not accepted within academic life:
Cavendish excluded from membership to Royal Society
Winkelmann refused position at Berlin Academy
science used to support traditional views about women
C. Rational Thought:
new cosmology affected western view of man:
Descartes (1596-1650) challenged traditional thought
work reflected doubt & uncertainty
‘I think therefore I am’
only accepted as true that which followed reason
father of modern rationalism
D. Religion:
conflict between religion & science:
Galileo’s inquisition
scientists did not want to challenge religion
religion suffered as science triumphed
Pascal attempted to keep science & religion united (1623-1662):
tried to convert rationalists to Christianity
secular Europe did not support his argument
5. Spread of Knowledge:
A. Method:
found scientific method to examine & understand physical realm:
Bacon (1561-1626) rejected work of scientists
suggested research based on inductive principles
proceed from particular to general
Descartes emphasized deduction & mathematical logic
Newton united Bacon (empiricism) & Descartes (rationalism)
B. Societies:
scientific societies created throughout Europe:
England & France most significant
both showed practical value of science
primary interest in theory of mechanics & astronomy
C. Society:
science gained favor throughout society:
merchants & landed elite to increase profits
applied to specific industrial & technological needs
science part of high culture
