Unit C terms

hypothesis

solution proposed to explain a set of facts

ellipse

an oval (not round) closed curve

scientific method

steps to find scientific truth through observation and experiments

calculus

system of mathematics developed by newton to analyze changing quantities

alchemy

an early form of chemistry emphasizing changes in substances, such as lead into gold

natural rights

rights belonging to all persons from birth

pacifism

opposition to war or violence as a way so settle disputes

deism

religious philosophy of the 1700s based on reason and the idea of natural law

salon

in france, a gathering where enlightenment intellectuals met for conversation

enlightened despot

a monarch who began social changes based on enlightenment ideas

classicism

style and attitudes derived from the ideas of ancient greek and rome

metaphysics

aspects of philosophy dealing with basic questions of existence and reality

romanticism

artistic movements emphasizing individuality and emotion

hierarchy

a group of people organized according to levels of rank or importance

reactionary

one who opposes progress or change and wants to return to earlier ways

inertia

the property of matter by which it retains its state of rest or its velocity along a straight line so long as it is not acted upon by an external force

empiricism

the doctrine that all knowledge derives from sense experience

skeptical

doubtful about a particular thing

heliocentrism

measuring or considered as being seen from the center of the sun

mystic

characterized by esoteric (understood by a small number of people with a specialized knowledge), otherworldly or symbolic practices or content, as certain religious ceremonies and art; spiritually significant, ethereal (extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world)