A G E O F E N L I G H T E N M E N T & S C I E N T I F I C R E V O L U T I O N R E V I E W

L E T ’ S R E V I E W… S H A L L W E ?

S C I E N T I F I C R E V O L U T I O N : A T I M E P E R I O D W H E R E N E W S C I E N T I F I C T H E O R I E S A N D

T E C H N O L O G Y W E R E D E V E L O P E D . O U T O F T H I S

E R A E M E R G E S A N E W E M P H A S I S O N L O G I C A N D

S C I E N T I F I C M E T H O D

Nicolaus Copernicus: developed the heliocentric

theory

Heliocentricism: the belief that the sun is the center of the universe

Galileo Galilei: -1st to make regular observation of the

heavens using a telescope -confirmed Copernicus’ theory -discovered moons of Jupiter

Isaac Newton -theory of gravity

-3 laws of motion (an object n motion will stay in motion)

Francis Bacon -created scientific method which inspired testing to find proof (still

used today)

Rene Descartes -everything should be doubted

until proven -encouraged logic/reasoning

Robert Boyle -argued not all things are made

of water, fire, air & earth but atoms

Boyle’s Law- how volume, temperature & pressure affect

each other

So what?

S I G N I F I C A N C E O F T H E S C I E N T I F I C R E V O L U T I O N

• -defeated old medieval/ancient beliefs about the world based on assumption

• Used experimentation to find truth & fact

• a new way of thinking that led to new important discoveries in medicine, biology, astronomy, physics, & chemistry

• led to new religious beliefs or questioning of beliefs

• deism

The Age of Enlightenment: a philosophical movement using reason and logic to understand nature, God,

humanity, and the world.

“philosophe” an Enlightenment thinker

deism: the religious belief that God created

the world and stepped back and is not directly involved in the world and the

lives of the people in it.

Thomas Hobbes -people are naturally wicked

-need of an absolute monarch to keep order

John Locke -people have 3 natural rights

(life, liberty & property) -government’s job is to protect

those 3 rights

Montesquieu Separation of Powers

-government should have 3 branches to government to

avoid abuse of power

Rousseau Social Contract theory: a

contract (agreement) with the government to protect the

people in exchange for loyalty and giving up some liberties

If broken, the people can rebel and create a new government

Voltaire: -separation of church and state

-freedom of speech

Mary Wollstonecraft -educate women to empower

-more women’s rights

So what?

• skepticism of absolute authority (monarchy & church)

• Revolutions in America, France & Haiti

• Inspired documents granting more freedoms to the people (Declar. of Independence, Constitution, Declar. of Rights of Man,

• New governments form: not run by absolute monarchs, a church or aristocrats

• a new belief in progress for humanity

S I G N I F I C A N C E O F T H E A G E O F E N L I G H T E N M E N T