Scientific Revolution

  • Geocentric Model

    • Earth = center of the universe

    • Sun, stars, planets orbit us

    • From the ancient Greek philosophers Aristotle and Ptolemy

    • Fit with Bible’s account of creation

    • Seemed logical?

  • Heliocentric model

    • Sun center of universe

    • Copernicus (1473-1543): Polish astronomer, interested in old Greek theories; observes planets for 25 years

    • Troubles that the math for Geocentrism didn’t work: why?

    • Publishes book at the end of explaining his findings

  • Review: Council of Trent

    • 1545-1563

    • Reaffirmed Catholic religious teachings 

    • Tried to stop spread of Protestantism

    • Bottom Line: Church was on edge - worried about more heresy (false teachings)

  • Galileo

    • 1564-1642; lives and dies near Florence 

    • Make experiments to test ideas not just observe

    • Proves different size objects fall at the same speed

    • Improves the telescope to study the sky

    • Discovers moons around Jupiter and details surface of our moon

    • Disproves Aristotle   

  • Trouble

    • Trial for hearsay, 1633 (reading packet)

    • Found guilty - agreed to recant & go into house arrest; died 1642

  • Other key points for the Scientific Revolution →

  • Scientific Method

    • Test hypothesis by observing experiments in a repeatable way

    • Key Principles

      • Francis Bacon: empiricism → base your knowledge on evidence that can be tested

      • Rene Descartes: skepticism → you should question everything according to reason

      • Cogito ergo sum: “I think, therefore I am” (if I am thinking if I exist, then I exist)

    • Scientific Method has influenced science study ever since

  • Issac Newton

    • 1643-1727; develops:

      • Law of universal gravitation

      • Laws of Motion

      • Calculus

      • Believed in “mechanical philosophy” → God is the clockmaker who keeps the clock moving, he sets it up and then walks away

      • Heads the Royal Mint

  • Scientific Revolution

    • More knowledge and ways to learn

    • Scientific method redefinines study

    • Observation and experimentation over tradition

    • Leads to “the Enlightenment”