APEH Unit 4 Vocab

Isaac Newton

An English mathematician and physicist, Newton is known for formulating the laws of motion and universal gravitation, which advanced the Scientific Revolution. (1643-1727)

Principia Mathematica

A work by Isaac Newton published in 1687 detailing the laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Francis Bacon

An English philosopher and statesman who developed the scientific method and emphasized empirical evidence and experimentation.

Scientific Revolution

A period of significant advancements in scientific thought and methodology during the 16th and 17th centuries, characterized by the emergence of modern science.

Robert Boyle

An Irish chemist and physicist known for his work in chemistry and for Boyle's law, which describes the relationship between the pressure and volume of gas.

William Harvey

An English physician who made significant contributions to the understanding of blood circulation, demonstrating that blood circulates through the body in a closed system.

Galileo’s Trial

A landmark event in 1633 where Galileo Galilei was tried by the Roman Catholic Church for heresy due to his support of heliocentrism, challenging the geocentric view of the universe.

Robert Hooke

An English scientist who is best known for his work in microscopy and for Hooke's law, which describes the elasticity of materials.

Nicolaus Copernicus

A Renaissance astronomer who proposed the heliocentric model of the universe, suggesting that the Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun, fundamentally changing the understanding of celestial mechanics.

Three components of science

observation, experimentation, and analysis.

Royal Society

An institution founded in 1660 in England to promote scientific knowledge and inquiry, playing a key role in the development of modern science.

Kepler’s Astronomy

The study of planetary motion, formulated by Johannes Kepler, which includes his laws of planetary motion that describe the elliptical orbits of planets around the Sun.

Rene Descartes

A French philosopher and mathematician known for his contributions to rationalism and the development of Cartesian coordinates, emphasizing the importance of doubt and reason in the pursuit of knowledge.

Tyco Brahe

A Danish astronomer known for his accurate and comprehensive astronomical observations, which laid the groundwork for Kepler's laws of planetary motion.

Aristotle & Ptolemy

Ancient philosophers who proposed the geocentric model of the universe, placing Earth at the center, which dominated Western thought until the Copernican revolution.

Ptolemaic system

The astronomical model that places Earth at the center of the universe, supported by Ptolemy and widely accepted until the heliocentric theory gained prominence.

philosophes

Intellectuals of the Enlightenment who advocated for reason, science, and individual rights, influencing political and social reform.

Deism

A philosophical belief in a rational deity who created the universe but does not intervene in its workings, emphasizing reason and observation over religious dogma.

Cesare Beccaria

An Italian philosopher and criminologist known for his works on criminal justice and the rights of individuals, advocating for the abolition of torture and the death penalty.

Baron d’Holbach

A French philosopher and prominent advocate of atheism, known for his materialist philosophy and critiques of religion.

Emile

A novel by Jean-Jacques Rousseau that outlines his ideas on education and the development of the individual in society.

Commercial Revolution

A period of European economic expansion, colonialism, and mercantilism from the 11th to the 18th century, characterized by increased trade, the establishment of new trading companies, and the growth of a capitalist economy.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

A Genevan philosopher and writer of the 18th century, Rousseau is best known for his works on political philosophy and education, including his influential novel "Emile," which emphasizes natural education and the development of the individual.

Montesquieu

A French political philosopher known for his work "The Spirit of the Laws," which explored the separation of powers and influenced modern political thought.

Jane Austen

An English novelist known for her keen observations of early 19th-century British society, particularly regarding women's dependence on marriage for social standing and economic security.

Diderot

A French philosopher and writer, best known for co-editing the "Encyclopédie," which aimed to gather and disseminate knowledge and ideas of the Enlightenment.

Mozart

A prolific and influential composer of the Classical era, known for his symphonies, operas, and chamber music.

Enlightened Absolutism

A form of absolute monarchy influenced by the Enlightenment, where rulers implemented reforms to improve society while maintaining their royal authority.

Adam Smith

An economist and philosopher known for his work "The Wealth of Nations," which laid the foundations for classical economics and free market theory, challenging mercantilism

Free trade & markets

An economic policy that allows goods and services to be traded without government restrictions or tariffs, promoting competition and efficiency in the market.

Mary Wollstonecraft

An advocate for women's rights and education, known for her book "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman," which argued for equality and the importance of education for women.

Voltaire

A French Enlightenment writer and philosopher known for his advocacy of civil liberties, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state, as well as his criticism of established institutions.

Salons & coffeehouses

social gatherings for intellectual discussion and exchange of ideas during the Enlightenment.

Bougainville

A French explorer known for his voyages in the South Pacific and for being one of the first Europeans to explore the islands of Tahiti and the surrounding regions.

Immanuel Kant

A German philosopher who is a central figure in modern philosophy, known for his work in epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics. He proposed the idea of the "categorical imperative" and emphasized the importance of reason in moral decision-making.