AP Euro: Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment Key Terms

Scientific Revolution

Radical changes to people's understanding of the physical universe

Reason

Emphasis on the application of the Scientific Revolution and enlightenment ideas in European culture

Empiricism

Idea that all human knowledge comes through the senses, led by Sir Francis Bacon

Inductive Method

Drawing conclusions from specific observations, led by Sir Francis Bacon

Rationalism

Focuses on innate reason, led by Rene Descartes

Deductive Method

Thinking about things more rationally and how we know what we know, led by Rene Descartes

Deism

Belief in the existence of a non-intervening supreme being

Geocentric View

Belief that the Earth is the motionless body at the center of the universe, proposed by Aristotle and Ptolemy

Heliocentric View

Belief that the Earth revolves around the sun and is the center of the universe, proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus

Three Laws of Planetary Motion

Laws proposed by Johannes Kepler stating that planets revolve in elliptical orbits and move more rapidly when closer to the sun

Galileo Galilei

Italian scientist known for controlled experiments, the telescope, and laws of motion and inertia

Law of Gravitation

Theory founded by Sir Isaac Newton, explaining gravity through mathematical formulas

Newtonian Universe

Belief that the universe is governed by mathematical laws created by God

Scientific Method

Methodology building off Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton, involving guessing and inductive reasoning

Cartesian Method

Philosophical approach of doubting all authority and knowledge, led by Rene Descartes

Skepticism

Philosophical approach based on doubt, eventually taken over by inductive method

Blaise Pascal

French mathematician, inventor, and philosopher known for the mechanical calculator and foundational work in probability theory

Scientific Societies

Institutions supported by governments and monarchs to spread scientific knowledge and create an international scientific community

Galen

Ancient Greek philosopher known for the theory of the four humors and their impact on health

Paracelsus

Swiss physician known for linking chemical imbalances to diseases

Andreas Vesalius

Attorney and physician who dissected cadavers to understand the human body, laying the foundation for later science

The Enlightenment

Dominant 18th-century intellectual movement developing radical ideas about the nature of humans

The British Empiricists

Philosophers Hobbs and Locke advocating knowledge gained through experience and differing political views

State of Nature

The human condition before civilization, described differently by Hobbs and Locke

Social Contract

Agreement to submit to a government for mutual protection, before which the state of nature was free but vulnerable

Thomas Hobbes

Political theorist supporting absolute government and the state of nature as a state of war

John Locke

Philosopher advocating natural rights of life, liberty, and property, independent of government and society

Blank Slate Theory

Theory proposing all knowledge comes from experience and human development is shaped by education and social institutions

Philosophes

French philosophers dedicated to exposing social problems and proposing reforms, criticizing old ways

Natural Law

Principle governing social institutions similar to those governing the physical universe, forming the basis for all morality

Voltaire

Brilliant writer advocating religious freedom, tolerance, and separation of church and state

Denis Diderot

French philosopher known for the Encyclopedie, promoting human reason as the foundation of all knowledge

Montesquieu

French writer advocating for a system of three branches of government and checks and balances

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Philosopher advocating for the 'noble savage' concept and the idea of rulers as servants of communities

Emile

Educational concept emphasizing fostering each child's curiosity and freedom

Salons

Discussion groups for French women, providing financial support and protection to reforming intellectuals

Academies

Specialized groups investigating and promoting knowledge in science and the arts

Lending Libraries

Institutions promoting education and democracy by providing access to books for citizens

Masonic Lodges

Secret organizations forming a brotherhood and spreading from Europe to the US

Marquise de Pompadour

Influential figure protecting philosophers like Diderot and advocating for their freedom of speech

Marquis de Condorcet

Advocate for women's rights, arguing that women possess the same natural rights as men

Mary Wollstonecraft

Female writer advocating for women's rights and better education, frustrated by limited opportunities

Physiocrats

French economics reformers questioning political and economic policies

Laissez Faire

Economic principle advocating for minimal government intervention in the economy and society

Adam Smith

Scottish economist known as the father of capitalism, advocating for individual economic freedom and studying natural laws

Invisible Hand

Concept of automatic regulation in the economy driven by self-interest, proposed by Adam Smith

David Hume

Philosopher casting doubt on religion and traditional ideas, leading to atheism

Immanuel Kant

Philosopher challenging traditional ideas and advocating for freedom of thought and action (GERMAN)

Enlightened Absolutism

Incorporation of liberty, progress, and tolerance into the rule of despots

Frederick II

Enlightened absolutist leader of Prussia, modernizing the state and befriending Voltaire

Catherine the Great

Enlightened absolutist leader of Russia, ushering in a new era and founding institutions for women

Pugachev Rebellion

Rebellion crushed by Catherine's army, leading to continued serfdom and increased oppression

Joseph II

Emperor of Italy and Rome advocating for people's happiness and reducing Catholic church power

Edicts of Toleration

Grants of free worship to Jews, Lutherans, and Calvinists, and access to civil service for Protestants in the Habsburg Empire

Primogeniture

Inheritance practice where the oldest son inherits most of the estate

Dowry

Payment made by the bride's family to the groom's family, in money or property

Rococo

Artistic style popular during Louis XV's reign, depicting nobles at play and using light pastels

Neoclassicism

Artistic movement depicting classical heroes and virtues of self-service and devotion to the state, emphasizing restraint, simplicity, and symmetry