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60 Terms
1
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.
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Enlightenment
An intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of authority, affecting various aspects of society including politics, philosophy, and religion.
A comprehensive work led by Denis Diderot that compiled Enlightenment ideas and challenged traditional knowledge, promoting rational thought.
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau
An Enlightenment philosopher known for his concept of the social contract and belief in individual freedom and the general will.
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18
Montesquieu
An Enlightenment thinker who proposed the separation of powers in government to prevent tyranny and promote political liberty.
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19
Catherine the Great
Empress of Russia who implemented various reforms and embraced Enlightenment ideas while maintaining her power as an absolute ruler.
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20
Frederick the Great
King of Prussia known for his enlightened policies, including religious tolerance and administrative reforms, while preserving royal authority.
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21
Scientific Method
A systematic approach to acquiring knowledge through observation, experimentation, and reasoning, fundamental to the Scientific Revolution.
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22
Isaac Newton
An English mathematician and physicist whose work in the 17th century laid the foundation for classical mechanics and gravitation.
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23
Natural Philosophy
A term used before the development of modern science to describe the study of nature and the physical universe.
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24
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.
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25
Johannes Kepler
A German astronomer known for his laws of planetary motion that supported the heliocentric model and challenged traditional views.
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26
Alchemy
An ancient practice combining elements of chemistry, philosophy, and mysticism, aiming to transform base metals into gold and discover the philosopher's stone.
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27
Astrology
The belief that the positions of celestial bodies can influence human affairs and natural phenomena.
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28
Cosmology
The study of the origins and structure of the universe, greatly evolving during the Scientific Revolution.
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29
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.
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30
Physiology
The scientific study of the functions and mechanisms in a living system, which evolved alongside advances in laboratory practices.
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31
Galen
An ancient Greek physician whose theories dominated medical science for centuries before being challenged in the Scientific Revolution.
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32
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.
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33
Andreas Vesalius
An anatomist who contradicted Galen's teachings by conducting human dissections, leading to accurate representations of human anatomy.
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34
William Harvey
An English physician who discovered the circulation of blood and laid the foundation for modern physiology.
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35
Mercantilism
An economic theory that emphasized the role of government in managing the economy for the purpose of enhancing state power.
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36
Physiocracy
An economic theory that emphasized agriculture as the source of wealth and advocated for natural economic laws.
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37
Adam Smith
The father of modern economics, known for his work 'The Wealth of Nations' advocating for free market policies.
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38
Laissez-faire
An economic theory that opposes government intervention in the economy, promoting a free-market capitalism.
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39
Consumer Revolution
A period in the 18th century characterized by an increase in the acquisition of consumer goods due to rising incomes and urbanization.
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40
Baroque
An artistic style characterized by extravagance, emotion, and grandeur, prominent in 17th and early 18th-century European art.
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41
Rococo
An artistic and architectural style emphasizing elaborate decorations and playful themes that emerged in the 18th century.
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42
Neoclassicism
An art and architectural movement drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman aesthetics, focusing on simplicity and symmetry.
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43
Samuel Richardson
An English novelist known for pioneering the epistolary novel form in works like 'Pamela' and 'Clarissa.'
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44
Jane Austen
An English novelist known for her novels that explore the lives of the British landed gentry, emphasizing marriage and social class.
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45
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.
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46
Civic Society
A term for organizations outside government that represent various interests and promote public discussion and action.
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47
Coffeehouses
Social venues in the 18th century where citizens gathered to discuss ideas, greatly contributing to the spread of Enlightenment thought.
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48
Salons
Gatherings of intellectuals and cultural elites in private homes, often hosted by women, to discuss literature, philosophy, and the arts.
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49
The Royal Society
An institution founded in England during the 1660s promoting scientific inquiry and collaboration among natural philosophers.
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50
Freemasonry
A fraternal organization that became popular in the Enlightenment, promoting moral and ethical values.
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51
Deism
The belief in a rational God who created the universe but does not intervene in its workings, reflecting Enlightenment skepticism toward organized religion.
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52
Atheism
The rejection of the belief in God or gods, gaining some acceptance during the Enlightenment as critical thinking prevailed.
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53
Skepticism
A philosophical view that questions or doubts accepted truths and beliefs, especially concerning religion and morality.
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54
Malthusian Theory
An economic theory proposed by Thomas Malthus, suggesting that populations grow exponentially while food supply grows arithmetically, leading to eventual shortages.
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55
Civic Institutions
Organizations within civil society that promote and encourage community involvement and public discourse, integral to Enlightenment thought.
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56
Universal Education
The concept introduced during the Enlightenment advocating for education systems that provide access to learning for all social classes.
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57
Abolition of Serfdom
The end of serfdom in parts of Europe during the Enlightenment, influenced by ideas of natural rights and individual freedoms.
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58
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.
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59
Cultural Exchange
The sharing of ideas, art, and philosophies between different societies and within Europe that facilitated the spread of Enlightenment ideals.
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60
Legacy of the Enlightenment
The long-term impact of Enlightenment ideas on modern Western thought, including concepts of democracy, rights, and reason.