scientific revolution

Francis Bacon (English)

formalized empirical method/inductive reasoning, Advocated systematic observation, experimentation, and data collection to form conclusions, rejected scholasticism and the ideas of Aristotle.

inductive reasoning

specific to general

Rene Descartes (French)

Founded deductive reasoning and Cartesian dualism ("I think, therefore I am"); advanced mathematical logic. challenged Church and medieval scholars by asserting that human reason could discover truth independently.

Andreas Vesalius (Flemish)

human anatomy, direct human dissections and empirical observation of the human body.

Ptolemy (Greek)

Created the geocentric model (Earth-centered universe), combining Greek philosophy and astronomy. Supported by the Church for centuries—his model was later challenged by Copernicus and Galileo.

Isaac Newton (English)

laws of motion and universal gravitation; unified physics and astronomy under natural laws. Combined empirical observation, experimentation, and mathematical reasoning. Replaced theological explanations with natural law.

Galileo Galilei (Italian)

Supported Copernicus’s heliocentric Theory, astronomical Discoveries, Laws of Motion, contradicted Scripture and Church doctrine, improved telescope

Laws of Motion, contradicted Scripture and Church doctrine, improved telescope

Johannes Kepler (German)

three laws of planetary motion, showing planets move in elliptical orbits, used Tycho Brahe's observations and mathematical analysis. Contradicted Church and ancient Greek beliefs that orbits were perfect circles

Nicolaus Copernicus (Polish)

Created heliocentric theory, arguing that the Sun (not the Earth) is the center of the universe. Challenged the Ptolemaic/Church-supported geocentric model, which placed Earth at the center of creation.

Deductive reasoning

general to specific