Social Studies Vocabulary part 2

Geocentric

A system of planetary motion that places Earth at the center of the universe, with the sun, moon, and other planets revolving around it.

Heliocentric

The system of the universe, proposed in 1543, that the Earth and planets revolve around the sun.

Scientific Method

A systematic procedure for collecting and analyzing evidence that was crucial to the evolution of science in the modern world.

Universal Law of Gravitation

One of the three rules of motion governing the planetary bodies set forth by Sir Isaac Newton; it explains that the planetary bodies do not go off in straight lines but instead continue in elliptical orbits about the sun because every object in the universe is attracted to every other object by a force called gravity.

Rationalism

A system of thought expounded by Rene Descartes based on the belief that reason is the chief source of knowledge

Nicolaus Copernicus

A polish mathematician that thought that his heliocentric conception of the universe offered a more accurate explanation than did the Ptolemaic system

Johannes Kepler

A German mathematician that used detailed astronomical data to arrive at his laws of planetary motion.  He showed that the planets’ orbits around the sun were not circular but elliptical

Galileo Galilei

An Italian scientist that was the first European to make regular observations of the heavens using a telescope.  He found himself under suspicion by the Catholic Church.

Isaac Newton

A Professor of mathematics at Cambridge.  In Principia, he explains the three laws of motion that govern the planetary bodies, as well as the objects on Earth.  Considered to be the greatest genius of the Scientific Revolution

Rene Descartes

A French philosopher that wrote, Discourse of Method.  He has been called the father of Rationalism

Scientific Revolution

A major change in scientific thought, starting in the mid-1500s, in which the study of the natural world began to be characterized by careful observation and the questioning of accepted beliefs

Separation of Powers

A form of government in which the executive, legislative, and judicial branches limit and control each other through a system of checks and balances

Laissez-Faire

1. “let people do what they want”, the concept that he state should not impose government regulations but should leave the economy alone

Social Contract

The concept proposed by Rousseau that an entire society agrees to be governed by its general will, and all individuals should be forced to abide by the general will since it represents what is best for the entire community

John Locke

An Englishman that wrote “Essay Concerning Human Understanding”, in which he argued that every person was born with a blank mind.

Montesquieu

A French noble that is known for his work, “the Spirit of the Laws” a study of governments.  His most lasting contribution was the system of checks and balances through the separation of powers.

Voltaire

A Parisian maybe the greatest figure of the Enlightenment.  Well known for his criticism of Christianity.

Cesare Beccaria

A philosopher who proposed a new approach to justice.  His essay, “On Crimes and Punishments” he argued that punishments should not be exercise in brutality

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

This philosopher wrote, “Discourse of the Origins of the Inequality of Mankind”, he argued that people had adopted laws and government in order to preserve their private property.  Came up with the concept of the social contract.

Mary Wollstoncraft

An English writer advanced the strongest statement for the rights of women.  Many see her as the founder of the modern European and American movements for women’s rights.  She wrote “A Vindication of the Rights of Women.”

Salon

Elegant drawing room of great urban houses where writers, artists, aristocrats, government officials, and wealthy people gathered to discuss the ideas of the philosophes, helping to spread the ideas of the enlightenment.

Inductive Reasoning

The doctrine that scientists should proceed from the particular to the general by making systematic observations and carefully organized experiments to test hypotheses or theories, a process that will lead to correct general principles.

Adam Smith

Writer of “The Wealth of Nations”, believed that the state should not interfere in economic matters.  Gave the government three basic roles, protect the society from invasion, defend citizens from injustice, and keep up public works that regular people cannot afford.

Denis Diderot

I wrote the “Encyclopedia”, which became a weapon against the old French Society.  Many of its’ articles attacked religious superstition and supported religious toleration.  Others called for social, legal, and political reforms.