World Hist. - The Scientific Revolution & Enlightenment Vocab.

Geocentric

earth-centered; system of planetary motion in which the sun, moon and other planets revolve around the Earth

Heliocentric

sun-centered; the system of the universe in which the earth and planets revolve around the sun

Universal Law of Gravitation

one of Newton’s three rules of motion; explains planetary bodies continue in elliptical orbits around the sun because every object in the universe is attracted to every other object by a force of knowledge

Rationalism

system of thought expounded by Rene Descartes based on the belief that reason is the chief source of knowledge

Scientific Method

systematic procedure for collecting and analyzing evidence that was crucial to the evolution of science in the modern world

Inductive Reasoning

doctrine that scientists should proceed from the particular to the general by making systematic observations and carefully organizing experiments to test hypotheses/theories, a process that will lead to correct general principles

Philosophe

french for “philosopher”, applied to all intellectuals during the Enlightenment

Separation of Powers

form of government in which the executive, legislative and judicial branches limit and control each other through a system of checks and balances

Deism

18th Century religous philosophy based on reason and natural law

Lassiez-Faire

concept that the state shouldn’t impose government regulations but should leave the economy alone

Free Enterprise System

state shouldn’t interfere in economic matters

Social Contract

concept that an entire society agrees to be governed by its general will and all individuals should be forced to abide by it since it represents what is best for the entire community

Salons

elegant urban drawing rooms where, in the 18th Century, writers, artists, aristocrats, government officials, and wealthy middle-class people gathered to discuss the ideas of the philosophes

Rococo

artistic style that replaced baroque in the 1730’s , was highly secular, emphasizing grace, charm and elegant fiction

Absolute Monarchy

form of monarchy, where the power of the monarch isn’t limited by laws or a constitution

Enlightened Absolutism

system where rulers tried to govern by Enlightened principles while maintaining their full royal powers