UNIT 1 SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION

what was science based on prior to the scientific revolution?

science relied on ancient “natural philosophers” (scientist) which were Aristotle, Archimedes & Plato. The church controlled many scientific views as well

what is the scientific revolution ?

The point in time where modern science emerges, and people began to challenge truths using their own observations

Causes of the Revolution

- Mastery of Greek & Roman (new texts)

- Renaissance prompted new way of thinking

- Protestant Reformation

- New Discovery & exploration

- New Inventions meant better data

- New inventions required new Solutions

- Printing press helped spread all ideas

- How did the printing press contribute to the Scientific Revolution?

It allowed newspapers, books and scientific ideas to be produced quickly and cheaply, spreading new discoveries to more people throughout Europe.

- How did the Crusades contribute to the Scientific Revolution?

The Crusades increased contact between Europe and the Muslim world. Europeans encountered advanced mathematics, medicine, astronomy, and preserved Greek and Roman writings.

- How did the Protestant Reformation contribute to the Scientific Revolution?

It unleashed helped to reshape the intellectual climate of Europe. The reformation fractured the religious unity of the continent and undermined the authority of a single institution to define truth in all matters. It challenged the Catholic Church’s authority and encouraged people to question traditional beliefs and think independently.

- How did the rediscovery of classical texts contribute to the Scientific Revolution?

Europeans rediscovered works by ancient thinkers and used their ideas as a starting point for new investigations, while also testing whether those ideas were correct.

- How did deductive reasoning differ from inductive reasoning?

inductive reasoning: starting with a disparate facts, then working toward a theory to explain them. Deductive reasoning; which starts as a known theory and then tries to prove that observations fit into it.

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Deductive reasoning begins with a general idea or rule and applies it to a specific situation. Inductive reasoning begins with observations and uses them to form a general conclusion.

- What role did inductive reasoning play in the Scientific Revolution?

Scientists used observations and experiments to develop and test new theories instead of simply accepting traditional explanations.

- How did ancient natural philosophers influence the scientists of the Scientific Revolution?

Ancient philosophers provided early ideas about nature, mathematics, medicine, and astronomy. Scientists built on those ideas but tested them through observation and experimentation.

- Why did the Church take action to try to quiet questions during the Scientific Revolution?

  Some scientific discoveries challenged Church teachings and the Church’s authority, especially ideas about Earth’s place in the universe.

- What are some actions the Church took?

The Church censored books, placed some writings on the Index of Forbidden Books, tried people for heresy, and forced Galileo to recant or deny some of his views.

- What major discovery did Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler uncover and prove?

- How was their discovery different from previous explanations?

They supported the heliocentric theory: the Sun is at the center of the solar system and Earth moves around it. Kepler showed that planets move in elliptical orbits, while Galileo provided evidence through his telescope.

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Earlier thinkers, especially Ptolemy and Aristotle, believed that Earth was motionless at the center of the universe. The new theory placed the Sun at the center instead.

- Why was the Scientific Method so important?

  It provided a reliable, organized way to study the natural world through observation, experimentation, evidence, and repeated testing

- How did the Scientific Method further the Scientific Revolution?

It helped scientists reject unsupported ideas and develop accurate explanations based on evidence.

- Who were some other scientists and what did they discover?

- Francis Bacon: Promoted experimentation and inductive reasoning.

  - René Descartes: Promoted mathematical and deductive reasoning.

  - Andreas Vesalius: Improved knowledge of human anatomy through dissections.

  - William Harvey: Discovered how blood circulates through the body.

  - Robert Boyle: Helped establish modern chemistry and studied gases.

  - Antonie van Leeuwenhoek: Used microscopes to observe microorganisms.

  - Isaac Newton: Laws of motion and universal gravitation.

- What were the effects and impacts of the Scientific Revolution?

It changed people’s understanding of the universe, weakened the unquestioned authority of the Church, encouraged critical thinking, advanced medicine and technology, and helped lead to the Enlightenment.

How did the Scientific Revolution cause the Enlightenment?

The Scientific Revolution encouraged people to use reason, observation, and evidence instead of blindly accepting traditional authorities. Enlightenment thinkers applied these ideas to government, society, religion, and economics

Where did power come from before the Enlightenment?

Many people believed political power came from God. This idea was called the divine right of kings.

Who held all power, made all the rules, and enforced all of the rules before the Enlightenment?

Absolute monarchs, or kings and queens, held most or all of the power. They made and enforced the laws, often with the support of the Catholic Church.

What did Thomas Hobbes believe man is like in nature?

Hobbes believed people were naturally selfish, competitive, and violent. Without government, life would be chaotic and dangerous—“solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

How does the Social Contract work according to Hobbes?

People give up some of their freedom and power to a strong government in exchange for protection, peace, and order.

What role does government play in society according to Hobbes?

Government’s main job is to prevent violence and disorder and to protect people from one another.

What type of government should have power according to Hobbes?

Hobbes believed in a strong central government, preferably an absolute monarchy, with enough power to maintain order.

According to John Locke, what are the natural rights?

Locke believed that all people are born with the natural rights of life, liberty, and property.

What role does the Social Contract play in society according to Locke?

People agree to create a government to protect their natural rights. Government gets its power from the consent of the people.

What role does government play in society according to Locke?

Government should protect people’s natural rights and rule fairly. It should have limited power

What happens if a government does not protect people’s rights according to Locke?

  The people have the right to change or overthrow the government.

What role does the Social Contract play in society according to Jean-Jacques Rousseau?

  People agree to give up some individual freedoms in order to create a community based on the general will, or what is best for the entire society.

What role does government play in society according to Rousseau?

Government should carry out the will of the people and promote the common good. Political power belongs to the people, not a monarch.

What purpose do checks and balances and separation of powers serve, according to Montesquieu?

They prevent one person or branch of government from becoming too powerful. Power is divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

How is this different from government before the Enlightenment?

Before the Enlightenment, power was usually concentrated in the hands of an absolute monarch. Montesquieu’s system spreads power out and allows each branch to limit the others.

What did Voltaire believe about religion in society?

Voltaire supported freedom of religion and religious tolerance. He criticized religious intolerance and the political power of organized churches. He believed people should be free to practice—or not practice—their religion.

What role did Adam Smith believe the government should play in the economy?

Smith believed the economy worked best with limited government interference and free competition, an idea called laissez-faire. Government should mainly provide defense, courts, laws, and some public services while protecting property rights.

What impacts did the Enlightenment have on society?

The Enlightenment promoted democracy, individual rights, religious freedom, equality before the law, and limited government. Its ideas influenced the American and French Revolutions and helped inspire modern constitutions and democratic governments.