Scientific Revolution

Nicolaus Copernicus(1473-1543)• Heliocentric (sun-

centered) theory of the universe

• Used complex mathematical equations to map the planets

Nicolaus Copernicus(1473-1543) • His theory

provided the foundation for the modern science of astronomy – the study of planets.

Andreas Vesalius(1514-1564)• Dissected bodies of

humans instead of animals to understand human anatomy

• Made precise sketches of how the human body worked

Andreas Vesalius(1514-1564)

His work proved

wrong many ancient

ideas about human

anatomy and helped

begin the modern

sciences of anatomy

and physiology

Galileo Galilei (1564-1652)• Believed scientists

should use observation to determine what celestial bodies were made of

• Built his own telescope to prove the planets were not perfect spheres of gas

• The ragged moon

Galileo Galilei (1564-1652)• Invention of the

telescope led to a series of important astronomical discoveries: Jupiter had moons, the sun had large spots, visual proof the earth revolved around the sun.

Galileo Galilei (1564-1652)• Because his beliefs

went against Catholic Church doctrine, he was put on trial before an Inquisition court

• Under pressure, he recanted (rejected) his scientific findings

William Harvey(1578-1657)• Identified the function

of the heart as a pump that recycles blood through the body

• Veins and arteries as carriers of blood instead of empty tubes

William Harvey(1578-1657) • His research is

considered the origin (starting point) of the modern science of physiology – the study of how the body functions.

Isaac Newton(1642-1727)• Discovered gravity

as the force that pulls objects to the earth and holds the planets in place

• Used complex math to demonstrate the force of gravity

Isaac Newton(1642-1727) • His theories

created the foundation for many scientific fields, including astronomy, engineering, and physics.

Origins of the Scientific Revolution• The Scientific Revolution began in 16th

century Europe as scientists abandoned the old views of medieval scientists, who relied strictly on ancient Greek and Roman authorities like Aristotle and Ptolemy, and began to develop new views of their own.

These NEW IDEAS

• Challenged . . . medieval superstition and the general acceptance of Aristotle’s theories.

The SCIENTISTS

• Uncovered . . . knowledge of physical world through the invention of new instruments such as the telescope and the microscope

They ALSO

• Developed . . . the scientific method of observation, hypothesis, and experimentation.

Sir Francis Bacon

• Philosopher not scientist

• Believed scientists should use inductive reasoning

• Created the scientific method

Scientific Method

Scientific Method

• 1. Observe some aspect of the universe. • 2. Invent a tentative description, called a hypothesis,

that is consistent with what you have observed. • 3. Use the hypothesis to make predictions. • 4. Test those predictions by experiments or further

observations and modify the hypothesis in the light of your results.

• 5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until there are no discrepancies between theory and experiment and/or observation.

Rene Descartes

• Philosopher who believed that reason is the chief source of knowledge

• “I think, therefore I am.”

At FIRST they

• Encountered . . . considerable opposition,

But EVENTUALLY they

• Reduced . . . human beings’ idea of their own importance in the universe by stating the Earth was NOT the center of the universe!

They ALSO

• Improved . . . people’s health and helped them gain control of their own environment

AND, last but not least, they

• Established . . . a firm foundation for modern science