Topic 6- Scientific Revolution

Scientific Revolution Notes

Key People:

• Aristotle – Ancient philosopher whose ideas were relied upon by medieval scientists (natural philosophers).

• Archimedes – Ancient Greek mathematician and thinker whose rediscovered works challenged old views.

• Plato – Greek philosopher whose ideas influenced Renaissance humanists.

• Francis Bacon – English philosopher who developed the scientific method and promoted inductive reasoning and empiricism.

Key Events & Developments:

• Renaissance Humanism – Scholars learned Greek and Latin, allowing them to read newly discovered ancient texts that challenged accepted ideas.

• Technical Problems – Issues such as calculating ship weight led to a need for observation and precise measurement.

• Rediscovery of Ancient Mathematics – Led to advances in navigation, military science, and geography.

• Spread of New Ideas – Enabled by the invention of the printing press, allowing scientific knowledge to circulate rapidly.

Key Inventions:

• Telescope – Allowed for new astronomical discoveries.

• Microscope – Made detailed scientific observations possible.

• Printing Press – Helped spread new scientific ideas quickly.

Key Vocabulary:

• Natural Philosophers – Medieval scientists who relied on ancient authorities rather than observations.

• Scientific Method – A systematic approach to scientific research involving observation, experimentation, and hypothesis testing.

• Inductive Reasoning – Moving from specific observations to general conclusions (Bacon's approach).

• Deductive Reasoning – Moving from general principles to specific cases (opposite of inductive reasoning).

• Empiricism – The idea that knowledge comes from observation and experience.

• Hypothesis – A possible explanation for natural events that is tested through experiments.

Key Ideas:

• Scientists in the Middle Ages depended on ancient authorities like Aristotle.

• Renaissance humanists rediscovered ancient texts that challenged medieval scientific beliefs.

• New instruments, like the telescope and microscope, led to fresh discoveries.

• The printing press helped spread scientific knowledge quickly.

• Mathematics played a key role in navigation, military science, and geography.

• Francis Bacon promoted the scientific method, inductive reasoning, and empiricism, believing science should benefit industry, agriculture, and trade.