Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment FULL REVIEW

Geocentrism

The belief that Earth is at the center of the universe and is motionless.

Natural Philosophy

The discipline that seeks to explain the laws governing nature and the universe.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher who believed human nature is selfish and advocated for absolute monarchy in 'Leviathan'.

John Locke

Philosopher who argued that humans are rational and born as a 'tabula rasa', emphasizing natural rights.

Heliocentrism

The theory that the Sun, not Earth, is at the center of the universe.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Polish astronomer who proposed heliocentrism and authored 'On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres'.

Johannes Kepler

Astronomer who formulated three laws of planetary motion using observational data.

Galileo Galilei

Italian scientist who advanced astronomy through observations and improved the telescope.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach to experimentation and observation developed through the works of Bacon and Descartes.

Francis Bacon

Philosopher who promoted inductive reasoning and the importance of experimentation in science.

René Descartes

Philosopher who advocated deductive reasoning and is known for the statement 'I think, therefore I am'.

Isaac Newton

Scientist who synthesized earlier scientific ideas and published 'Principia Mathematica', establishing laws of gravitation.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement applying reason and scientific methods to improve society and humanity.

Voltaire

Enlightenment thinker who advocated for freedom of speech and religious tolerance.

Montesquieu

Philosopher known for advocating the separation of powers in government.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Philosopher who wrote 'The Social Contract', arguing that sovereignty lies with the general will of the people.

Denis Diderot

Editor of the 'Encyclopedia' that spread Enlightenment ideas.

Deism

The belief in a rational creator who does not intervene in human affairs.

TABULA RASA

John Locke's idea that all humans are born as a blank slate, shaped by experience.

Industrious Revolution

The shift toward wage labor and market consumption that laid foundations for industrialization.

Rococo

An artistic style characterized by ornate and playful themes, often associated with the aristocracy.

Neoclassicism

An artistic movement emphasizing simplicity and Greco-Roman ideals.

Enlightened Despots

Absolute rulers who applied Enlightenment ideas to strengthen their states.

Frederick the Great

Prussian ruler known for reforming laws and promoting religious toleration.

Joseph II

Austrian ruler who abolished serfdom and reduced the influence of the Church.

Catherine the Great

Russian ruler who corresponded with Enlightenment thinkers and expanded Russian territory.

War of the Austrian Succession

Conflict initiated by Frederick the Great's seizure of Silesia.

Seven Years’ War

Global conflict that expanded British colonial dominance after their victory over France.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Agreement that ended the Seven Years' War and granted Britain significant territories.

Adam Smith

Economist known for 'The Wealth of Nations' and advocating laissez-faire economics.

Laissez-faire

An economic principle of minimizing government interference in the economy.

Invisible Hand

Adam Smith's concept that self-interest in free markets leads to societal benefits.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

French finance minister known for his mercantilist policies.

Absolutism

A political system where a single ruler has absolute power over the state.

Enlightenment Thinkers

Intellectuals who challenged traditional authority and promoted reason and individual rights.

Empiricism

The theory that knowledge is derived from experience and observation.

Progress

The Enlightenment belief that society can improve through reason and scientific advancements.

Religious Tolerance

The acceptance of different religious beliefs and practices.

Opposition to Absolutism

The Enlightenment critique of monarchies and the divine-right to rule.

Junker

Prussian landowning nobility who held significant power over serfs.

Pugachev’s Rebellion

A major uprising in Russia that led to Catherine the Great abandoning some reforms.

Astronomy

The scientific study of celestial bodies and the universe as a whole.

Natural Rights

Fundamental human rights based on nature and universally applicable.

Censorship

The suppression of speech, public communication, or other information.

Social Contract

The theory that individuals consent to form a government based on mutual benefit.

Spirit of the Laws

Montesquieu's work advocating the separation of powers in government.

Empirical Evidence

Information acquired by observation or experimentation used to validate a theory.

Secularism

The principle of separating religion from political or public life.

Feminism

The advocacy of women's rights and equality based on the belief in gender equality.

Anti-Slavery Movements

Social and political campaigns aimed at abolishing slavery.

Urbanization

The process of population shift from rural to urban areas.

Agricultural Revolution

The period of technological improvement and increased crop productivity.

Consumer Revolution

The shift in demand for goods during the 18th century, emphasizing new consumption patterns.

Plato

Ancient philosopher whose writings on forms influenced Enlightenment thought.

Aristotle

Ancient philosopher whose authority was a key influence before the Scientific Revolution.

Thomas Aquinas

Medieval scholar who harmonized Aristotle's philosophy with Christian theology.

Thomas Paine

Enlightenment thinker who critiqued monarchy and supported republicanism.

Mary Wollstonecraft

An early feminist author known for 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.

Olympe de Gouges

Feminist writer known for the 'Declaration of the Rights of Woman'.

Catherine Macaulay

Historian and political thinker advocating for women's education.

Experimental Science

The branch of science that relies on observation and experimentation for knowledge.

Mechanistic Universe

The view that the universe operates like a complex machine governed by natural laws.

Scientific Societies

Organizations formed to promote scientific discovery and collaboration.

Natural Law

The idea that certain rights or values are inherent by virtue of human nature.

Intellectual Revolution

The significant changes in thought and ideas during the Enlightenment that questioning traditional authority.

Moral Seriousness

The emphasis on ethical principles and values in neoclassical art.

The Social Contract

Rousseau's work arguing that legitimate political authority rests on the consent of the governed.

Radical Enlightenment

A faction within the Enlightenment that advocated for more sweeping changes in politics and society.

Metaphysics

The branch of philosophy that investigates the fundamental nature of reality.

Holy Roman Empire

The complex of territories in Central Europe that existed until 1806.

Freedoms of Conscience

The right to hold beliefs and practice religion without interference.

Cultural Revolution

The transformation of cultural thought and expression during the Enlightenment and beyond.

Skepticism

The questioning of knowledge and beliefs, essential in Enlightenment thought.

Liberalism

A political philosophy centered on individual rights and freedoms.

Philosophe

An intellectual of the Enlightenment who believed in applying reason to reform society.

The Age of Enlightenment

A historical period characterized by an emphasis on reason, science, and intellectual interchange.

Counter-Enlightenment

Movements that resisted the principles and ideals of the Enlightenment.

Revolutionary Ideas

Concepts that spurred political movement and changes due to Enlightenment influence.

Political Philosophy

The study of fundamental questions about government, political institutions, and justice.

Social Reform

Actions aimed at improving societal issues or injustices.

Public Sphere

An area in social life where individuals can come together to freely discuss and identify societal problems.

Balance of Power

A distribution of power among nations to prevent any one nation from dominating.

Heresy

A belief or theory that goes against established doctrine, particularly in a religious context.

Scientific Inquiry

The ongoing process of discovery in science through observation and experimentation.

Critical Thinking

The analysis of facts to form a judgment and a fundamental aspect of Enlightenment thought.

Globalization

The process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide.

Civic Virtue

The cultivation of habits important for the success of the community.

Protestant Reformation

A religious movement that challenged the Catholic Church and influenced Enlightenment thinkers.

Natural Rights

Rights that are universal and inherent to all individuals.