Chapter 6 p162-168, 171-176

Explain the significance of each of the following to the Scientific Revolution:

Copernicus’ On the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres (1543)

  • Heliocentrism = Sun @ center

  • Challenged geocentric model that has been supported by the Catholic church

Tycho Brache’s observations

  • Renowned for his highly accurate astronomical observations with well-equipped instruments

  • Provided Kepler w empirical evidence to develop laws of planetary motion

  • Observations supported heliocentric model

Johannes Kepler’s The New Astronomy (1609)

  • Laws of Planetary Motion = Elliptical orbits of planets, varying speeds, orbital vs. distance from Sun

  • Mathematical description of the solar system

  • Groundwork for Newton’s laws of motion and universal gravitation

Galileo’s telescope

  • Made observations of the moons of Jupiter, rings of Saturn, craters of the Moon

  • Supported Heliocentric model, challenged Geocentric view

  • Solidified scientific method to key approach of knowledge

Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica (1687)

  • Laws of Motion = Relationship between force, mass, and acceleration

  • Law of Universal Gravitation = Explained force of grav. between any two obj in the universe

  • Unified Theory = Framework for understanding motion of celestial bodies and objs on Earth (physics, astronomy)

  • Foundation for modern science and engineering

Define empiricism, and explain the work of Francis Bacon. Consider his views on human knowledge and thought. Skip ahead to question 7 and page 168 after this question

  • Empiricism = Asserts that all knowledge and ideas originate from experience

  • Views

    • Believed in the search for a new understanding of nature rather than focus on tradition

    • Nature could improve human condition

    • Acknowledged that the world was much more complicated than what they thought

    • Bacon did not agree that the best era of human history was the past

    • Believed in the pursuit of knowledge = + power in gov. and monarchies

  • Francis Bacon

    • Royal official, lawyer, author, father of empiricism

How did Rene Descartes contribute to the Scientific Revolution?

  • Developed scientific method that relied more on deductive reasoning than empirical observation

  • Believed that human reason could fully comprehend the world

What was William Harvey’s discovery?

  • Circulation of blood = pumped throughout the body by the heart rather than being consumed by organs

  • Advancement in medical understanding + modern physiology

Explain Thomas Hobbes’ view of mankind and his political beliefs as expressed in Leviathan

  • Believed mankind had a restless desire for power, ppl are selfish

    • ∴ strong government needed to control man

  • ∴ social contract needed, but absolutist rule tolerated

How did the political philosophies of John Locke compare to those of Thomas Hobbes? Take good notes here - John Locke is one of the most influential political thinkers of this entire course.

  • Believed mankind had the right for natural freedom and x allow for abs rule

  • “Life, liberty, and property”

  • The people should be allowed to abolish their gov. should it be absolutist

  • Social contract

What was the purpose of institutions such as the Royal Society of London, founded in 1660?

  • Established to still be efficient in the development of science while universities did not assimilate to the new science (reluctant)

  • RSOL followed path that Bacon believed in

  • New science was discussed + experiments carried out in societes + academies

  • Groups associated with new science > championing modern prac. Achievements > encouraged reform + toleration + liberty > Age of Enlightenment

Examine the painting on p170. How does it reflect the intellectual trends of mid-17th century Europe? Jump ahead to questions 10 (p171) after this question.

  • Societies formed together

  • Focus of discovery

  • Women also scientifically discovered

Was the Scientific Revolution a major turning point for women in academia? Explain. Provide at least 1 notable counterexample. Jump back to questions 3-8 (p162) after completing this question.

  • Yes, Women were able to become more indulged in science and worked closely with it

    • Margaret Cavendish = Only woman to be allowed a visit in RSOL + Founds of Natural Philosophy

    • Emilie du Chatelet = translated Newton’s Principles in French

  • Counterexamples

    • Winkelmann continued her husband’s work of astronomy, however her finalized work was denied solely because she was a woman

    • Women barred from science and medicine until late nineteenth century

How did the Protestant movement influence the Roman Catholic Church’s position on science?

  • Individual conscience led to ppl questioning catho. Church’s practices and beliefs

  • Humanism challenged catho church’s authority

  • Protestant sciences = challenged catho church

  • Catho church challenge to interpret the scripture ∴ opened door for new scientific interpretations

What happened to Galileo in 1633 and why?

  • Condemnation of Galileo by Roman Catholic authorities

    • Galileo advocated for Copernicus’ theory thru book, angered church ∴ house arrested

  • The Church asserted to strictly interpret the Bible to counter Prot. interpretations

    • Church = difficult to accept copernicanism which contradicted the Scriptures of geocentrism

What was French mathematician Blaise Pascal’s view about religion in an age of reason? What was Pascal’s “wager?”

  • Wager = Believe that God exists even if he doesn’t exist because rewards outweigh risks

    • Faith in God improves ppls lives and morales ∴ challenged optimism of science and reason

  • View = Wanted to refute both dogmatism and skepticism in religion, religion was not the domain of reason and science

How did British natural philosophers such as Francis Bacon approach religion in an age of science?

  • Believed that the Bible and nature work cooperatively

    • Both shared same author ∴ compatible

    • Study of science and religion faith = supportive + both led to better understanding of creator

      • Allowed new physics and astronomy to spread fast

  • Physico-theology = human beings were meant to improve the world

What factors contributed to the thousands of deaths due to accusations of witchcraft between 1400 and 1700?

  • Disruptions by religious division and warfare during times of religious wars

    • Blames on Reformation for taking away traditional defenses against the devil ∴ gullible believers executed witches

  • Magical power v. magic as a gift from god v. magic as a power by the devil ∴ accusations

Who were the most common targets of witch hunts?

  • 80% = women, single or aged over forty

    • Widows: lash out

    • Midwives: deaths of mothers and newborns

    • Women healers / herbalists: spiritual authority wished to be reserved for priests

What caused the decline of witch hunts by the 18th century?

  • More scientific povs = thoughts on mind / words on lips ∴ won’t change physical world

  • Rise of medicine, insurance, and lawyers = security

  • Witch hunts were threats to anarchy in villages and towns ∴ dysfunctional

Describe the main characteristics of Baroque art. Name at least 4 famous Baroque artists or sculptors.

  • Characteristics

    • Sfumato

    • Chiaroscuro

    • Naturalism + Dynamic

  • Artists

    • Caravaggio

    • Bernini

    • Rubens

    • Le Nain

Baroque art became associated with the Catholic Church and counter-reformation politics.