Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment Flashcards

Flashcards about the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment

Ptolemy

Geocentrism (epicycles)

Copernicus

Proposed the heliocentric model of the universe (Sun-centered), challenging the long-held geocentric model.

Brahe

Made precise astronomical observations; believed in a hybrid model (planets orbit the Sun, which orbits Earth).

Kepler

Used Brahe’s data to formulate the three laws of planetary motion, showing that orbits are elliptical, not circular.

Galileo

Used a telescope to observe space; supported heliocentrism and discovered Jupiter’s moons, sunspots, and lunar craters.

Vesalius

Published detailed studies of human anatomy based on dissections, correcting earlier misconceptions from ancient sources.

Harvey

Discovered the circulatory system and how the heart pumps blood, revolutionizing medicine.

Bacon

Promoted empiricism (knowledge through observation and experimentation); emphasized the scientific method.

Descartes

Believed in deductive reasoning; said “I think, therefore I am.” Supported using logic/math to understand nature.

Newton

Formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation; co-developed calculus and published the Principia Mathematica.

Boyle

Founder of modern chemistry; known for Boyle’s Law on gas pressure and promoting experimentation.

Von Leeuwenhoek

Perfected microscopes and was the first to observe microorganisms (“animalcules”).

Hooke

Discovered cells in cork; helped advance microscopy and supported the idea of a cell-based structure in living organisms.

Linnaeus

Developed the system of biological classification (taxonomy), using binomial nomenclature (e.g., Homo sapiens).

Lavoisier

Developed the Law of Conservation of Matter.

Henry Cavendish

Discovered Hydrogen

Joseph Priestley

Discovered Oxygen

Subtractive/Place Number System

A system (from earlier mathematical traditions) that allowed for positional value, improving mathematical accuracy in science.

Empiricism

The belief that knowledge comes from sensory experience and observation, foundational to the scientific method.

Calculus

A branch of mathematics developed by Newton and Leibniz to model change, critical for understanding motion, gravity, and physics.

Epicycles

Part of the old Ptolemaic (geocentric) model; small circular orbits on larger orbits to explain retrograde motion.

Retrograde Motion

The apparent backward movement of planets, which the heliocentric model explained more simply than geocentrism.

Elliptical Orbits

Discovered by Kepler, showing that planets move in ellipses, not perfect circles, around the Sun.

Principia Mathematica

Newton’s groundbreaking book (1687), laying out the laws of motion and universal gravitation, forming the basis of classical physics.

Botany

The study of plants

Cartesian Dualism

Division of reality into “thinking substance" and “extended substance”

Deism

Belief that God only created the universe and never intervenes. He is like a “watchmaker”

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher who believed that God sent the monarchy in order to help mankind succeed. He believed that people are naturally bad and need the government in order to keep them in check.

Leviathan

A Book written by Thomas Hobbes

John Locke

Philosopher who opposed Thomas Hobbes' beliefs. He believed that people are naturally good. Believed that the innate goodness of mankind led to the formation of government. Believed that people had the right to rebel against tyrannies. He also believed that people should have as much knowledge as possible, as smarter people were harder to control/be led by tyrants.

Second Treatise of Civil Government

A Book written by John Locke that stated his beliefs.

Theory of Knowledge

A Theory developed by John Locke. Stated: When you are born, there is nothing in your brain, but you can reason. Reasoning also puts man above animals.

Tabula Rasa

Blank slate. The term is often associated with the Theory of Knowledge.

Essay Concerning Human Understanding

A Book that explains John Locke’s beliefs on knowledge and understanding.

Voltaire

Pen name used by French philosopher. Often criticized for the Catholic Church.

Candide

Book by Voltaire. The main character is Pangloss, who believed that all is right in God’s world (even though it wasn’t).

Let us all tend our garden

Means that everyone should tend to their little part of the world.

Baron de Montesquieu

Believes that human behavior and government vary depending on climate and geography. Also believes that the best system of government is the English system, as it consists of separate checks and balances.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Believes that as civilization progresses, they move away from morality.

Social Contract

Book by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Denis Diderot

Philosopher who solicited articles and edited them from many experts.

Encyclopedia/Encyclopédie

Encyclopedia made by Diderot that compiled various works and beliefs of philosophers during the Enlightenment.

Adam Smith

The First economist and also a Scottish professor. He often analyzed capitalism.

Wealth of Nations

A Famous book by Adam Smith and the first economics book.

Laissez Faire la nature

Concept said: If you follow laissez-faire, the Invisible Hand will make everything better.

Invisible Hand

The market. Concept created by Adam Smith