AP World 18.3

Scientific Revolution

Culminated in 17th century; period of empirical advances associated with the development of wider theoretical generalizations; resulted in change in traditional beliefs of Middle Ages; foundational changes in science and thought began to reshape Western intellectual and cultural life.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Polish monk and astronomer (16th century); disproved Hellenistic belief that the earth was at the center of the universe; discovered that planets move around the sun

Kepler's Laws

Describes the motion of planets, developed by Johannes Kepler, building on Copernicus's heliocentric model.

Galileo Galilei

Published Copernicus's findings (17th century); added own discoveries concerning laws of gravity and planetary motion; condemned by the Catholic church for his work. 

Isaac Newton

English scientist; author of Principia; drew together astronomical and physical observations and wider theories into a neat framework of natural laws; established principles of motion; defined forces of gravity. 

Deism

Concept of God current during the Scientific Revolution; role of divinity was to set natural laws in motion, not to regulate once process was begun; aligning with rationalism and scientific understanding.

Francis Bacon

English philosopher, statesman, author, and scientist; an influential member of the Scientific Revolution; best known for work on the scientific method.

Human Progress

The belief that human society can improve its condition through reason, science, and individual effort.

Empirical Research

A method of inquiry based on observation and experimentation, emphasized by Francis Bacon and other scientists.

Johannes Kepler

An astronomer and mathematician who was a prominent figure in the Scientific Revolution. 

William Harvey

English physician (17th century) who demonstrated circular movement of blood in animals, function of heart as pump. 

René Descartes

Established importance of skeptical review of all received wisdom (17th century); argued that human reason could then develop laws that would explain the fundamental workings of nature. 

John Locke

English philosopher who argued that people could learn everything through senses and reason and that power of government came from the people, not divine right of kings; offered possibility of revolution to overthrow tyrants.