Scientific Revolution Notes

AIM: How did the Scientific Revolution change the way people learned?

  • The Scientific Revolution occurred in Europe during the 1500s and 1600s.
  • The Scientific Revolution marked the beginning of modern science.
  • It challenged all accepted knowledge, including that of the Church.
  • It proved the laws of nature through experimentation.

Historical Context

  • Before the Scientific Revolution, people like Zengh He (1371–1433 or 1435), a Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat, fleet admiral, and court eunuch during China's early Ming dynasty, were exploring the seas.
  • Zengh He's voyages aimed to demonstrate the Ming Dynasty's naval superiority and to intimidate Asia.

Key Figures of the Scientific Revolution:

  • Nicolaus Copernicus
  • Johannes Kepler
  • Galileo Galilei
  • Francis Bacon
  • Sir Isaac Newton

Ptolemy's Geocentric Model

  • Ptolemy, a 2nd-century Greek astronomer, believed that Earth was a fixed body at the center of the universe.
  • According to Ptolemy, the Sun and planets revolved around the Earth.
  • This is known as the geocentric model of the universe.

Nicolaus Copernicus's Heliocentric Model

  • Nicolaus Copernicus disagreed with Ptolemy's model.
  • He argued that the Earth was not the center of the universe; the Sun was.
  • Copernicus proposed a heliocentric, or sun-centered, model.

Geocentric vs. Heliocentric Theories

  • Geocentric Theory: Earth is at the center; the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars revolve around it.
  • Heliocentric Theory: The Sun is at the center; the Earth, Moon, planets, and stars revolve around it.

Ockham's Razor

  • Ockham's Razor

Johannes Kepler

  • Johannes Kepler was a mathematician who agreed with Copernicus’ model.
  • He argued against Copernicus’ idea of circular orbits, proving through math that planets have elliptical paths.

Galileo Galilei

  • Galileo Galilei (16th century) was an Italian physicist, astronomer, mathematician, and philosopher.
  • He is often called the "father of modern science."
  • Galileo invented the telescope.
  • Jupiter's four largest moons are named after Galileo.

Francis Bacon

  • Francis Bacon (1620) is considered the father of the scientific method.

Scientific Method

  • State your theory.
  • Run an experiment.
  • Observe the experiment.
  • Record the results.
  • Make general statements.
  • Draw conclusions.

Descartes

  • Descartes (1641) is considered the father of modern philosophy.
  • He advocated for the use of pure reason, free from prejudice.

Sir Isaac Newton

  • Sir Isaac Newton was a mathematician and physicist, considered perhaps the greatest mind of the Scientific Revolution.
  • He wrote and tested the laws of gravity.

Impact of the Scientific Revolution

  • European society experienced an increase in inquiry and acquisition of knowledge.
  • The Church faced further challenges to its authority.
  • New discoveries and technologies emerged.
  • Western Europe increased its power.
  • The Scientific Revolution inspired the Age of Reason and the Enlightenment.

Commercial Revolution and Columbian Exchange/Triangle Trade

  • Exploration into the Atlantic Ocean led to the discovery of new natural resources and raw materials.
  • New goods were introduced into Europe.
  • New diseases were introduced to both North America and Europe.

Context of the Early Modern Era

  • Europe changed leading to the Renaissance.
  • The Renaissance, Protestant Reformation, and Scientific Revolution are.
  • List three changes that occurred as a result of these movements.