Enlightenment and Scientific revolution

Nicolaus Copernicus

-Polish astronomer

-Popularized the heliocentric theory

-Devout Catholic

-RCC banned his work

-Sparks the scientific revolution

Tycho Brahe

-Danish astronomer and apprentice of Kepler

-Has a Royal observatory and vast amount of astronomical data

Johannes Kepler

-Mathematically proved the heliocentric theory

-Discovered elliptical orbits

Galileo Galilei

-Supporter of the heliocentric theory

-1st to use the telescope and found craters on the monn and sun spots

-Went to trial with RCC

Francis Bacon

Scientific method based on observation/experimentation

1. Observe

2. Hypothesis

3. Conduct experiment

4. Analyze data

Rene Decartes

-Scientific method based on reasoning and generic principles

-Wax argument

-“Think therefore I am”

Isaac Newton

-Developed calculus

-Developed a basis for physics

-3 laws of motion

-Universal law of gravitation

Scientific revolution

Impact religious, political, and cultural intuitions

Challenged how people viewed the world

Changes in perception

Before: truth solely thru Bible and RCC

Now: truth could be learned through experience and investigation

Geocentric

Earth centered

Heliocentric

Sun centered

Impact of SR

People begin challenging established ideologies

Rise in education and science and disciplines

Age of enlightenment

Began in Europe 1600-1800

Thinkers believed:

In influence of nature and human progress

Natural laws guided social, political, and economic systems and institutions

How did it spread

Salons: wealthy individuals invited guests to have conversations on ideas of

Philosophies: enlightened intellectuals

Growth of newspapers and published books led to rise of literate public

Impact of age of reason

Shift from government in which power held by one/ few government where many had a say

Promoted belief in social contract between governed and their government

Inspired American, French and Latin revolutions

Thomas Hobbes

English writer of Leviathan

Thought people are naturally wicked

Absolute ruler/government must keep order

“Without government our lives would be nasty, brutish, and short

John Locke

English writer of two treaties on government

People are the source of power

Government must protect our natural rights

“All people have the natural rights, including life, liberty and property"

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

French writer of the social contract

Government is an agreement or contact between ruler and people

“No man has any natural authority over his fellow men”

Voltaire

French writer on:

Freedom of speech ; religious toleration

Separation of powers

“I dissaprove of what you say, but I will defend your right to say it”

Montesquieu

French writer of the spirit laws

Separation of powers

“To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them”

Mary Wollstonecraft

English advocate for womens rights

Wrote a vindication of the rights of women

“Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience"

Cesare Beccaria

Opposed capital and excessively cruel punishments

Wrote:On crimes and punishments

Reform criminal law to protest rights if the accused

Adam Smith

Scottish economist and philosopher

Government shouldn't interfere with economy = laissez fair (hands off)

Wrote: The wealth of nations (1776)

Smith's views on the role of government

1. Protect society from invasion (army)

2. Defend citizens from injustice (police)

3. Keep up public works necessary for interaction and trade