Science and Enlightenment: 1500-1700 Overview

Scientific Revolution

A period of radical scientific advancements (1500-1700).

Natural Philosophy

Inquiry into the existence of natural entities.

Technological Innovation

New technologies significantly impacting society and science.

Ancient Mesopotamia

Early civilization contributing to astronomy and mathematics.

Babylonian Astronomy

Developed concepts like the seven-day week.

Greek Philosophy

Influential thinkers like Aristotle and Ptolemy shaped science.

Joseph Needham's Problem

Questioning why science thrived in the West, not China.

Monasteries

Centers for scholarly discussion of secular and religious texts.

Universities

Autonomous institutions promoting academic freedom and inquiry.

Chartres Cathedral

Symbol of medieval intellectual and architectural achievement.

Revolution

A cycle or radical change in societal structures.

Enlightenment Philosophes

French thinkers promoting reason and scientific thought.

Western Superiority

Claims based on scientific advancements and modernity.

Continuity and Change

The coexistence of medieval traditions and new ideas.

Intellectual Foundations

Medieval ideas that supported the Scientific Revolution.

Bologna, Paris, Oxford

Early universities established from 1200 AD.

Radical Reordering

A significant transformation in scientific understanding.

Secular Texts

Non-religious writings discussed in monasteries.

Cyclical Time

Concept of time as recurring events, like clock revolutions.

Linear Time

Understanding time as a one-directional progression.

Mastery Over Nature

The goal of natural philosophy and technology.

Humanism

Revival of classical culture during the Renaissance.

Moveable-type printing

1450 invention that revolutionized knowledge dissemination.

New World Discovery

Shifted trade focus westward, impacting global dynamics.

Christianity Reforms

Calls for church reform led by humanists.

Renaissance

Cultural revival influenced by classical Greek and Roman ideas.

Silk Road

Ancient trade route connecting Europe with Asia.

Timbuktu

Center of learning in Africa during the Renaissance.

Islamic World

Preserved and expanded upon Ancient Greek texts.

Gunpowder

Chinese invention that changed warfare and exploration.

Magnetic compass

Chinese invention aiding navigation and exploration.

Printing presses

By 1500, approximately 1,000 in operation.

Information overload

New discoveries overwhelmed existing knowledge frameworks.

Nicolas Copernicus

Proposed heliocentric model of the solar system.

Ptolemy's geocentric system

Earth-centered model of the universe prior to Copernicus.

Galileo Galilei

Italian scientist who supported Copernican theory with evidence.

Starry Messenger

Galileo's 1610 publication presenting astronomical observations.

Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems

Galileo's 1632 work comparing geocentric and heliocentric models.

Two New Sciences

Galileo's 1638 book on physics and motion.

Protestant universities

Institutions promoting new ideas post-Luther's 95 theses.

Jesuits

Catholic order established in 1540, promoting education.

Astronomical models

Developed for safe navigation and understanding celestial bodies.

Isaac Newton

Published 'Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy' in 1687.

Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy

Newton's work on mechanics and planetary motion.

Scientific Revolution

Period of significant scientific advancements and discoveries.

Technological Innovation

Advancements in technology driving scientific discovery.

Sir Francis Bacon

Promoted use of natural philosophy for practical knowledge.

Transformative Technologies

Printing, compass, and gunpowder reshaped human history.

British Royal Society

Established in 1662, promoted scientific collaboration.

Philosophical Transactions

First scientific journal, published by the Royal Society.

Academie Royale des Science

French scientific academy founded in 1666.

Republic of Letters

Network of correspondence among intellectuals across Europe.

Intelligencers

Individuals who gathered and disseminated information.

Philosophes

Enlightenment thinkers advocating reason and reform.

John Locke

Proposed humans as rational beings in the Enlightenment.

Challenge to Authority

Philosophes questioned privilege and religious dogma.

Social Status

Inherited privilege challenged by merit-based recognition.

Conditions of Enlightenment

Political stability and economic prosperity fostered new ideas.

Erosion of Authority

Decline of Catholic Church's influence during Enlightenment.

Maritime Exploration

Expansion leading to rediscovery of non-Western societies.

Secularism

Emergence of non-religious perspectives in society.

Impact of Enlightenment

Influenced 18th-century political revolutions and reforms.

Human Reason

Confidence in rational thought to challenge tradition.

Diverse Phenomenon

Enlightenment varied across nations and cultures.

Natural Laws

Principles governing both nature and human affairs.