Honors WH - Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution Vocab

Calculus

a branch of mathematics in which calculations are made using special symbolic notations; developed by Isaac Newton

Deism

A popular Enlightenment era belief that there is a God, but that God isn't involved in people's lives or in revealing truths to prophets.

Enlightenment

a movement that emphasized science and reason as guides to help see the world more clearly

Enlightenment Despot

Absolute ruler who used his or her power to bring about political and social change

Geocentric Theory

Earth is the center of the Universe

Gravity

A force that pulls objects toward each other

Heliocentric

Based on the belief that the sun is the center of the universe

Hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Laissez Faire

Idea that government should play as small a role as possible in economic affairs.

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Philosphe

one of a group of social thinkers in France during the Enlightenment

Scientific Method

A series of steps followed to solve problems including collecting data, formulating a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and stating conclusions.

Scientific Revolution

A major change in European thought, starting in the mid-1500s, in which the study of the natural world began to be characterized by careful observation and the questioning of accepted beliefs.

Social Contract

A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.

Salon

Informal social gatherings at which writers, artists, philosophes, and others exchanged ideas