Darwin’s Tea Party: The Scientific Revolution. The Scientific Revolution The Scientific Revolution...

Darwin’s Tea Party: Darwin’s Tea Party: The Scientific RevolutionThe Scientific Revolution

The Scientific RevolutionThe Scientific Revolution

The Scientific Revolution is a revolution in The Scientific Revolution is a revolution in thought which established modern science thought which established modern science as a powerful new way to understand reality.as a powerful new way to understand reality.

The revolution occurs in three phases:The revolution occurs in three phases:Phase IPhase I: 17: 17thth-18-18thth c: c: In In astronomyastronomy, , physicsphysics & & mathematicsmathematics

(heliocentric theory, laws of motion, invention of the (heliocentric theory, laws of motion, invention of the calculus)calculus)

Phase II:Phase II: 19 19thth c: c: In In chemistrychemistry and and biologybiology

(atomic theory, evolution by natural selection)(atomic theory, evolution by natural selection)

Phase III:Phase III: 19 19thth-20-20thth c: c: In the In the social sciencessocial sciences


This presentation deals only with Phase I:This presentation deals only with Phase I:1717thth-18-18thth c: c: In In astronomyastronomy, , physicsphysics & & mathematicsmathematics

(heliocentric theory, laws of motion, invention of the (heliocentric theory, laws of motion, invention of the calculus)calculus)


Before the Scientific Revolution, the Before the Scientific Revolution, the accepted view was that the earth was the accepted view was that the earth was the centre of the universe. centre of the universe.

This is called the geocentric theoryThis is called the geocentric theory

The Scientific Revolution: Phase IThe Scientific Revolution: Phase IBefore The Heliocentric TheoryBefore The Heliocentric Theory


The Biblical Conception of the universeThe Biblical Conception of the universe1. Waters above the firmament2. Storehouses of snows3. Storehouses for hail4. Chambers of winds5. Firmament6. Sluice / windows of heaven7. Pillars of the sky8. Pillars of the earth9. Fountain of the deep10. Navel of the earth11. Waters under the earth12. Rivers of the nether world

A view of the universe as understood in the Old Testament and influenced by the ancient Babylonians. A flat earth supports pillars which support the heavens and the waters above. Below the earth is Sheol – the domain of the dead – and the water below the earth.

The geocentric theory corresponded to The geocentric theory corresponded to common sense, in that it did appear that common sense, in that it did appear that the sun, moon and stars revolved around the sun, moon and stars revolved around the earth. the earth.

Don’t we still say that Don’t we still say that the sun the sun “rises” and “rises” and “sets” ever day?“sets” ever day?

The Scientific Revolution: Phase IThe Scientific Revolution: Phase I Before The Heliocentric Theory Before The Heliocentric Theory


The geocentric theory also seemed The geocentric theory also seemed correspond to the Biblical view of the correspond to the Biblical view of the universe – at least according to the universe – at least according to the Catholic Church at the time. Catholic Church at the time.

Humans, as the “center” of God’s creation Humans, as the “center” of God’s creation lived on a planet that was also the center lived on a planet that was also the center of the universe. of the universe.

Even the Protestant Churches maintained Even the Protestant Churches maintained the geocentric view as the frontispiece of the geocentric view as the frontispiece of Martin Luther’s translations shows Martin Luther’s translations shows


Note how God looks Note how God looks down on an earth down on an earth which is the center which is the center of the universeof the universe

The sun, moon and The sun, moon and stars are pictured stars are pictured above the earthabove the earth

The “waters above” The “waters above” the earth are also the earth are also shown here. In the shown here. In the Genesis flood story Genesis flood story these were said to these were said to have opened up and have opened up and flooded the earth. flooded the earth.

Equally important, the ancient Greeks also Equally important, the ancient Greeks also accepted a geocentric theory. accepted a geocentric theory.

This included Aristotle and the key Greek This included Aristotle and the key Greek geographer and astronomer, Ptolemy (c. geographer and astronomer, Ptolemy (c. 100- c.178)100- c.178)



One geocentric One geocentric universe, please universe, please

– all dressed.– all dressed.

Claudius Ptolemy (c.100-c.178)


Part of Ptolemy’s Almagest in Arabic.

This shows the movement of a planet, including retrograde motion, cycles and epicycles

Ptolemy’s UniversePtolemy’s Universe

Note the earth in the center, with the moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars and Jupiter and Saturn above. Next comes the fixed stars and constellations (signs of the Zodiac).

Finally at the very top is the highest heavens, home of the “Primum Mobile” (the First Cause)


Thus the geocentric theory was supported Thus the geocentric theory was supported by religion, by the ancient Greeks and by by religion, by the ancient Greeks and by common sense. common sense.

Despite all this, it was overturned and Despite all this, it was overturned and replaced by the heliocentric theory in the replaced by the heliocentric theory in the modern period.modern period.


One reason was that geocentrically based One reason was that geocentrically based calculations and predictions of where the calculations and predictions of where the stars and planets were, were getting stars and planets were, were getting increasingly wrong since Ptolemy’s time!increasingly wrong since Ptolemy’s time!


Finally, in the 15Finally, in the 15thth century, a century, a Polish astronomer by the Polish astronomer by the name of Copernicus stated name of Copernicus stated that things would be much that things would be much simpler if only we assumed simpler if only we assumed that the sun, not the earth, that the sun, not the earth, was at the center of the was at the center of the universe. universe.

Nicholaus Copernicus (1473-1543). Note the sun like wand with the sun in the center, of course. In his left hand are chopsticks, which he also invented.

Note how I can do compass points without even looking at my book

In other words, In other words, Copernicus Copernicus proposed the proposed the Heliocentric Heliocentric Theory. Theory.

Chart of the Chart of the heliocentric theory heliocentric theory from Copernicus’ from Copernicus’ De Revolutionibus De Revolutionibus (1543).(1543).

The Scientific Revolution: Phase IThe Scientific Revolution: Phase IThe Heliocentric TheoryThe Heliocentric Theory


In Italy, another natural philosopher would In Italy, another natural philosopher would soon confirm Copernicus heliocentric view of soon confirm Copernicus heliocentric view of the universe. the universe.


Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)


The book that got Galileo in trouble: Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems. In the book, the geocentric theory is presented by a character called Simplicio (“simple-minded”) – not exactly a flattering way to present the Church’s favoured theory!


Moon drawings by Moon drawings by GalileoGalileo

Lunar cracks (craters), Lunar cracks (craters), mountains and valleys mountains and valleys were disturbing were disturbing indications that all was indications that all was not as perfect and not as perfect and incorruptible in the incorruptible in the heavenly spheres, as heavenly spheres, as Aristotle’s theory Aristotle’s theory assumed. assumed.


Galileo pioneered the use of the telescope for astronomical purposes. Galileo pioneered the use of the telescope for astronomical purposes.


Galileo pioneered the experimental methodGalileo pioneered the experimental method

Galileo’s famous Galileo’s famous experiment experiment supposedly made supposedly made from the leaning from the leaning tower of Pisa. Here tower of Pisa. Here two balls of different two balls of different mass are dropped at mass are dropped at the same time; which the same time; which will land first? will land first?

The next, even more The next, even more famous experiment, famous experiment, compares the fall of compares the fall of 1 kilo of feathers and 1 kilo of feathers and 1 kilo of bricks; 1 kilo of bricks; which will land first?which will land first?


Galileo spacecraft named after guess who and crashed into Jupiter in 1995.


Galileo got in trouble with the Catholic Church for backing the heliocentric theory.


Galileo’s trial according to a 19th century artist

Sign here and you get a free I-pod!


Galileo was placed under house arrest for Galileo was placed under house arrest for supporting the heliocentric theory but that supporting the heliocentric theory but that did not stop the development of science. did not stop the development of science.

In England another In England another great scientist arose great scientist arose who confirmed who confirmed heliocentrism and heliocentrism and showed how showed how powerful and powerful and accurate the new accurate the new science could be.science could be.

The Scientific Revolution: Phase IThe Scientific Revolution: Phase IThe Laws of MotionThe Laws of Motion

Yes, this is my

natural hair

colour


Legend has it that Newton came up with the idea of gravity after an apple fell on his head

But besides gravity, But besides gravity, Newton figured out the Newton figured out the laws of motion for all laws of motion for all bodies on the earth or bodies on the earth or in space. in space.

Newton’s most famous book, The Principia otherwise known as the Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy (published 1707)

The Scientific Revolution: Phase IThe Scientific Revolution: Phase I The Laws of Motion The Laws of Motion


1. A body in motion stays in motion and 1. A body in motion stays in motion and a body at rest stays at rest unless a body at rest stays at rest unless moved by an external force.moved by an external force.

2. A body moved by an external force 2. A body moved by an external force will accelerate in the same direction as will accelerate in the same direction as that force and in inverse proportion to that force and in inverse proportion to the mass of that force.the mass of that force.

3. For every action, there is an equal and 3. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.opposite reaction.


Three simple laws (+ gravity) explains an Three simple laws (+ gravity) explains an infinite number of facts in the universe, infinite number of facts in the universe, from…from…


…the motion of planets around the sun…

Or the motion of the moon Or the motion of the moon around the eartharound the earth


To the motion of To the motion of projectiles of all sorts projectiles of all sorts (inlcuding missiles and (inlcuding missiles and canonballs). canonballs).

Including the Including the Galileo Galileo spacecraft and spacecraft and all other all other satellites and satellites and spaceships…spaceships…

To the motion of the tides…To the motion of the tides…


The Scientific Revolution: Phase IThe Scientific Revolution: Phase I The Laws of MotionThe Laws of Motion

And the fall of any object on the earth!


No wonder Newton is one of history’s greatest scientists!

He showed that a good scientific theory is simple but explains a heck of a lot!


And like all the greatest scientists, Newton was inspired to find out about the “ocean of truth” around us by the ultimate mystery…


To myself I seem to have been only a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, while the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.

The Scientific Revolution: The Scientific Revolution: Reactions to the Scientific RevolutionReactions to the Scientific Revolution

Some reacted enthusiastically to the new Some reacted enthusiastically to the new science, seeing it as a beacon of truth and science, seeing it as a beacon of truth and certainty in an uncertain world. certainty in an uncertain world.


Alexander Pope Alexander Pope (1688-1744) said: (1688-1744) said:

“… “… Nature’s laws lay Nature’s laws lay hid in night;hid in night;

God said, Let Newton God said, Let Newton bebe! And all was ! And all was Light.”Light.”


Some believed Newton Some believed Newton had confirmed that the had confirmed that the universe worked according universe worked according to mechanical principles, to mechanical principles, like a machine. like a machine.

The Orloj of Prague, Czech Republic.

Was the mechanical view of the universe inspired by these mechanical clocks?

The Orrery, a mechanical The Orrery, a mechanical model of the solar system, model of the solar system, was a popularwas a populardevice to exhibit the device to exhibit the relative size and motion of relative size and motion of the heavenly bodies.the heavenly bodies.From: From: The Young The Young Gentleman's and Lady's Gentleman's and Lady's PhilosophyPhilosophy (London, (London, 1755) – General Research 1755) – General Research Division, NYPLDivision, NYPL

New York Public Library New York Public Library websitewebsite



Some philosophers Some philosophers really embraced really embraced the mechanical the mechanical metaphor, claiming metaphor, claiming that even animals that even animals are machines. are machines.

Rene Descartes (1596-1650) coined the famous philosophical phrase “I think therefore I am”.

Descartes, Descartes, Treatise on ManTreatise on Man

Descartes here claims that the Descartes here claims that the human body is a machine”. human body is a machine”.


Descartes includes Descartes includes the human body the human body too. too.

Another Another philosopher philosopher enthusiastic about enthusiastic about the advancement the advancement of Science was of Science was Francis Bacon Francis Bacon (1561-1626) (1561-1626)


Bacon was famous for his wise sayings like “Knowledge is power”. Here he is shown holding a Hydro Bill.


Bacon compared the Bacon compared the Scientific Revolution to Scientific Revolution to the “discovery” of America the “discovery” of America – both are about the – both are about the discovery of new worlds. discovery of new worlds.

In the frontispiece to his In the frontispiece to his book book Novum Organum, Novum Organum, ships are shown sailing ships are shown sailing past the mythological past the mythological “pillars of Hercules”, “pillars of Hercules”, traditional limits of the traditional limits of the known world. For Bacon known world. For Bacon this is what science was this is what science was doing too in the realm of doing too in the realm of thought.thought.


Bacon’s path to scientific knowledge was Bacon’s path to scientific knowledge was by by inductioninduction: : observation of individual observation of individual facts to arrive at general conclusions. facts to arrive at general conclusions.

Descartes’ path to scientific knowledge Descartes’ path to scientific knowledge was by was by deductiondeduction: : reason from general reason from general ideas to arrive at particular facts.ideas to arrive at particular facts.


Both Bacon and Descartes were Both Bacon and Descartes were influenced by the mechanical view of the influenced by the mechanical view of the universe. universe.

But both made an exception for the human But both made an exception for the human mind or soul – which, they claimed was mind or soul – which, they claimed was not mechanical.not mechanical.


The philosopher de The philosopher de la Mettrie (1709-51), la Mettrie (1709-51), however, made no however, made no exceptions to the exceptions to the mechanical view. mechanical view.

Humans also were Humans also were machines for him. machines for him.

De la Mettrie with weird hat

**


William Blake’s Newton.

Blake wasn’t all that crazy about the new scientific view of reality. He prayed

"May God us keep

From single vision, and

Newton's sleep!"

(i.e., the “sleep of reason which breeds monsters”, says Blake)

More art from More art from Blake. This is called Blake. This is called UrizenUrizen (i.e., “your (i.e., “your reason”) creating reason”) creating the world.the world.Note the compass – Note the compass – symbol of the symbol of the Scientific Scientific Revolution and the Revolution and the rational approach to rational approach to reality reality

The Scientific Revolution:The Scientific Revolution:Reactions to the Scientific Revolution Reactions to the Scientific Revolution

Urizen is the embodiment of all that Blake hated - definition, restriction, measurement, materialism

The Scientific Revolution:The Scientific Revolution:Reactions to the Scientific Reactions to the Scientific

RevolutionRevolutionBlake’s opposition to science was especially Blake’s opposition to science was especially sharp as he lived in a time when science sharp as he lived in a time when science wasn’t just changing people’s ideas…wasn’t just changing people’s ideas…

The Scientific Revolution:The Scientific Revolution:Reactions to the Scientific Reactions to the Scientific

RevolutionRevolutionBut people’s very lives…But people’s very lives…


Written & Directed by Written & Directed by

Gabriel TordjmanGabriel Tordjman

Starring: Starring:

The Scientific RevolutionThe Scientific Revolution The BibleThe Bible Ptolemy (The ancient Greek geographer & astronomer) (1Ptolemy (The ancient Greek geographer & astronomer) (1stst c. AD) c. AD) The Catholic Church (1The Catholic Church (1stst c AD – now) c AD – now) Martin Luther (leader of Protestantism) (1483-1546 ) Martin Luther (leader of Protestantism) (1483-1546 ) Nicholas Copernicus (heliocentric theory scientist) (1473-1543)Nicholas Copernicus (heliocentric theory scientist) (1473-1543) Galileo Galilei (heliocentric theory and experimental scientist, Galileo Galilei (heliocentric theory and experimental scientist,

telescope perfector (1564-1642) telescope perfector (1564-1642) Isaac Newton (laws of gravity and laws of motion) (1642-1727)Isaac Newton (laws of gravity and laws of motion) (1642-1727) Rene Descartes (rationalism and dualism) (1596-1650) Rene Descartes (rationalism and dualism) (1596-1650) Francis Bacon (philosopher of induction) (1561-1626)Francis Bacon (philosopher of induction) (1561-1626) Alexander Pope (poet) (1688-1744)Alexander Pope (poet) (1688-1744) William Blake (artist & poet) (1757-1827)William Blake (artist & poet) (1757-1827)


The End?The End?

Darwin’s Tea Party: The Scientific Revolution. The Scientific Revolution The Scientific Revolution...

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