Scientific Revolution & Enlightenment Vocabulary

  1. Revolution: A period from the 16th to 17th centuries when developments in technology, science, and mathematics changed the way in which Europeans viewed the natural world.

2. Geocentrism: The idea that the Earth is the center of the universe and all celestial objects rotate around it.

3. Heliocentrism: The belief that all objects in the Solar System, including Earth, revolve around the Sun.

4. The Scientific Method: a systematic process of making an observation, forming a hypothesis, and proving and disproving it through experimentation.

5. Absolutism: A political theory in which the ruler, usually a monarch, has absolute authority over the state and its subjects.

6. Despot: An absolute ruler who often uses tyranny and oppression to control the state and its subjects.

7. The Enlightenment: A cultural and philosophical movement in the 18th century that focused on reason and individualism. It was skeptical of traditional forms of rulership and religion. It emphasized the use of reason and the Scientific Method to uncover truth.

8. Philosophe: An Enlightenment intellectual who applied reason and the Scientific Method to examine society, political systems, religion, economics, and culture. Most were critical of traditional authority and advocated for freedom of the individual, freedom of religion, and more political freedom.

9. Natural Rights: The inherent rights of an individual that are independent of the state or government. They can include: life, liberty, and property.

10. Social Contract: Political theory that originated in the Enlightenment. The belief that individuals collectively agree to form a government/state by giving up some of their individual freedoms. In return the state protects their natural rights.

  1. Salon: A place, usually in a private home, where Enlightenment intellectuals, artists, and politicians met in order to exchange ideas and debate. Most popular in 18th Century France.

  2. Enlightened Despot: A ruler who tried to govern according to Enlightenment ideas(religious freedom, educational and legal reform, etc.) while maintaining absolutism.

13. Popular Sovereignty: The belief that source of legitimate governing power is derived from the consent of the govern, i.e., the people.