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Scientific Revolution

A period in the 17th and 18th centuries during which advancements in scientific thought emerged, changing views on the universe and humanity's place in it.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of authority, affecting various aspects of society including politics, philosophy, and religion.

Rationalism

A philosophy asserting that reason is the chief source of knowledge, dominated by thinkers like René Descartes.

Empiricism

The theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience, greatly influenced by philosophers like Francis Bacon.

Geocentric

An Earth-centered view of the universe, maintained by Aristotle and Ptolemy for over 1,400 years before being challenged by the heliocentric model.

Heliocentric

The sun-centered model of the universe proposed by Copernicus, suggesting that planets revolve around the sun.

Inductive reasoning

A method of reasoning in which general principles are derived from specific observations, advocated by Francis Bacon.

Deductive reasoning

A logical process where one starts with a general statement and examines the possibilities to reach a specific conclusion, promoted by René Descartes.

Natural Law

Principles regarding the nature of human beings, believed to govern moral and ethical behavior, often asserted to be universal.

Enlightened Absolutism

A form of absolute monarchy inspired by the Enlightenment, where rulers are influenced by Enlightenment ideas but maintain absolute control.

Thomas Hobbes

A political philosopher known for his work 'Leviathan,' advocating a strong centralized authority and social contracts to maintain order.

John Locke

An Enlightenment thinker who argued for natural rights and government’s duty to protect those rights, influencing modern democracy.

Natural Rights

The rights to life, liberty, and property believed to be inherent and not granted by governments, articulated by John Locke.

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among individuals to form a society and abide by its rules in exchange for protection and social order.

Voltaire

A leading Enlightenment figure known for his advocacy of freedom of speech and religion, as well as criticism of the Catholic Church.

Encyclopédie

A comprehensive work led by Denis Diderot that compiled Enlightenment ideas and challenged traditional knowledge, promoting rational thought.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

An Enlightenment philosopher known for his concept of the social contract and belief in individual freedom and the general will.

Montesquieu

An Enlightenment thinker who proposed the separation of powers in government to prevent tyranny and promote political liberty.

Catherine the Great

Empress of Russia who implemented various reforms and embraced Enlightenment ideas while maintaining her power as an absolute ruler.

Frederick the Great

King of Prussia known for his enlightened policies, including religious tolerance and administrative reforms, while preserving royal authority.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach to acquiring knowledge through observation, experimentation, and reasoning, fundamental to the Scientific Revolution.

Isaac Newton

An English mathematician and physicist whose work in the 17th century laid the foundation for classical mechanics and gravitation.

Natural Philosophy

A term used before the development of modern science to describe the study of nature and the physical universe.

Galileo Galilei

An Italian astronomer and physicist who played a key role in the Scientific Revolution and was known for his work on motion and the telescope.

Johannes Kepler

A German astronomer known for his laws of planetary motion that supported the heliocentric model and challenged traditional views.

Alchemy

An ancient practice combining elements of chemistry, philosophy, and mysticism, aiming to transform base metals into gold and discover the philosopher's stone.

Astrology

The belief that the positions of celestial bodies can influence human affairs and natural phenomena.

Cosmology

The study of the origins and structure of the universe, greatly evolving during the Scientific Revolution.

Anatomy

The branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure of organisms and their parts, which changed significantly in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Physiology

The scientific study of the functions and mechanisms in a living system, which evolved alongside advances in laboratory practices.

Galen

An ancient Greek physician whose theories dominated medical science for centuries before being challenged in the Scientific Revolution.

Paracelsus

A physician who challenged Galen's theories and is known for his contributions to chemistry and the treatment of diseases using medicines derived from minerals.

Andreas Vesalius

An anatomist who contradicted Galen's teachings by conducting human dissections, leading to accurate representations of human anatomy.

William Harvey

An English physician who discovered the circulation of blood and laid the foundation for modern physiology.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasized the role of government in managing the economy for the purpose of enhancing state power.

Physiocracy

An economic theory that emphasized agriculture as the source of wealth and advocated for natural economic laws.

Adam Smith

The father of modern economics, known for his work 'The Wealth of Nations' advocating for free market policies.

Laissez-faire

An economic theory that opposes government intervention in the economy, promoting a free-market capitalism.

Consumer Revolution

A period in the 18th century characterized by an increase in the acquisition of consumer goods due to rising incomes and urbanization.

Baroque

An artistic style characterized by extravagance, emotion, and grandeur, prominent in 17th and early 18th-century European art.

Rococo

An artistic and architectural style emphasizing elaborate decorations and playful themes that emerged in the 18th century.

Neoclassicism

An art and architectural movement drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman aesthetics, focusing on simplicity and symmetry.

Samuel Richardson

An English novelist known for pioneering the epistolary novel form in works like 'Pamela' and 'Clarissa.'

Jane Austen

An English novelist known for her novels that explore the lives of the British landed gentry, emphasizing marriage and social class.

Mary Wollstonecraft

An early advocate for women's rights, best known for her work 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman' arguing for equal education.

Civic Society

A term for organizations outside government that represent various interests and promote public discussion and action.

Coffeehouses

Social venues in the 18th century where citizens gathered to discuss ideas, greatly contributing to the spread of Enlightenment thought.

Salons

Gatherings of intellectuals and cultural elites in private homes, often hosted by women, to discuss literature, philosophy, and the arts.

The Royal Society

An institution founded in England during the 1660s promoting scientific inquiry and collaboration among natural philosophers.

Freemasonry

A fraternal organization that became popular in the Enlightenment, promoting moral and ethical values.

Deism

The belief in a rational God who created the universe but does not intervene in its workings, reflecting Enlightenment skepticism toward organized religion.

Atheism

The rejection of the belief in God or gods, gaining some acceptance during the Enlightenment as critical thinking prevailed.

Skepticism

A philosophical view that questions or doubts accepted truths and beliefs, especially concerning religion and morality.

Malthusian Theory

An economic theory proposed by Thomas Malthus, suggesting that populations grow exponentially while food supply grows arithmetically, leading to eventual shortages.

Civic Institutions

Organizations within civil society that promote and encourage community involvement and public discourse, integral to Enlightenment thought.

Universal Education

The concept introduced during the Enlightenment advocating for education systems that provide access to learning for all social classes.

Abolition of Serfdom

The end of serfdom in parts of Europe during the Enlightenment, influenced by ideas of natural rights and individual freedoms.

Childhood

A cultural and social construct influenced by Enlightenment thought, transitioning from viewing children as small adults to recognizing childhood as a distinct developmental stage.

Cultural Exchange

The sharing of ideas, art, and philosophies between different societies and within Europe that facilitated the spread of Enlightenment ideals.

Legacy of the Enlightenment

The long-term impact of Enlightenment ideas on modern Western thought, including concepts of democracy, rights, and reason.