Scientific Revolution: Astronomy, Methods & Key Figures Flashcards | Quizlet

What is Neoplatonism, and what major religious tradition did it profoundly affect?

A school of thought based on the teachings of Plato that was prevalent in the Roman Empire and had a profound effect on the formation of Christian theology.

How did some Neoplatonists view nature in relation to God and humanity?

They argued that nature is a book written by its creator to reveal the ways of God to humanity.

What did Neoplatonists search for behind the "shadows" of the everyday world?

The ideal and perfect structures that they believed must reflect God's perfection in nature.

When and by whom was the French Academy of Sciences founded?

It was founded in 1666 by Louis XIV.

How did France's statesmen interact with the Academy of Sciences?

They exerted control over the academy and sought to share in the rewards of any discoveries its members made.

For what work was Laura Bassi (1711-1778) accepted into the Academy of Science in Bologna?

Her work in mathematics.

Why was Laura Bassi's admission to the Academy of Science in Bologna historically notable?

It made her one of the few women to be accepted into a scientific academy in the seventeenth century.

What was Johannes Kepler's (1571-1630) relationship to Copernicus's theory, and what is his chief discovery?

He elaborated on and corrected Copernicus's theory and is chiefly remembered for his discovery of the three laws of planetary motion that bear his name.

What methodology did British philosopher and scientist Francis Bacon (1561-1626) pioneer?

The scientific method and inductive reasoning.

According to Francis Bacon, how should thinkers arrive at general conclusions or theories?

By amassing many observations and then drawing general conclusions or proposing theories on the basis of these data.

What major scientific and mathematical developments is Isaac Newton (1642-1727) noted for?

His development of calculus, work on the properties of light, and theory of gravitation.

When was the British Royal Society founded, and what was its primary goal?

It was founded in 1660 to pursue collective research.

How did members of the Royal Society collaborate during their scientific inquiry?

Members would conduct experiments, record the results, and share them with peers, who would study the methods, reproduce the experiment, and assess the results.

What two key benefits did the Royal Society arrangement provide to English scientists?

A sense of common purpose as well as a system for reaching a consensus on facts.

What was Renaissance humanism?

An intellectual movement that stressed the study and debate of ancient Greek and Roman texts.

What central astronomical idea was advanced by Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543)?

The idea that the earth revolves around the sun.

What core conviction motivated Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546-1601)?

He believed that the careful study of the heavens would unlock the secrets of the universe.

What astronomical achievement did Tycho Brahe accomplish over a span of more than twenty years?

He charted the movements of significant objects in the night sky, compiling the finest set of astronomical data in Europe.

What consequences did Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) face as a result of his ideas?

The implications of his ideas raised the ire of the Catholic Church, and he was forced to retract most of his findings.

How are the heavens structured and how do they move according to the Ptolemaic system?

The heavens orbit the earth in an organized hierarchy of spheres.

In the Ptolemaic system, how do the earth and the heavens compare in matter and physical behavior?

The earth and the heavens are made of different matter and subject to different laws of motion.

What causes the motion of celestial bodies within the Ptolemaic system?

A prime mover.

Which form of reasoning was emphasized by French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes (1596-1650)?

Deductive reasoning.

What did Margaret Cavendish (1623-1673) develop, and how did she use it?

She developed her own speculative natural philosophy and used it to critique those who excluded her from scientific debate.

Who was Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717), and what major work did she publish?

A scientific illustrator and important early entomologist who conducted research on two continents and published Metamorphosis of the Insects of Surinam.