Intellectual Movements of the 1600s

Module 1: The Scientific Revolution

The Scientific Revolution

Scientific Revolution◦Ideas challenging ancient thinkers and

the church◦New way of thinking about the natural world Based on careful observation,

willingness to question accepted beliefs◦Spread through traveling to other lands, printing press

◦Astronomy, mathematics (navigation)

AstronomyGeocentric Theory (middle ages)

◦Earth at center of universe◦Sun, moon, stars, planets rotate ◦Aristotle, Ptolemy, Christianity

Heliocentric Theory◦Copernicus studies 25 years◦Earth, stars, planets revolve around sun◦Contradicts religious views

Kepler◦Planets revolve around the sun in

ellipses

Geocentric/Heliocentric theories◦http://

www.keplersdiscovery.com/Hypotheses.html

Kepler’s foci◦http://

www.drennon.org/science/kepler.htm Kepler’s “Wandering Stars”

◦http://www.keplersdiscovery.com/Observations.html

AstronomyGalileo

◦Builds telescope◦Jupiter has four moons, sun has dark spots

◦Moon has rough surface Challenges church’s idea that moon,

stars are pure

Challenging the ChurchNew ideas force questioning of

church authority◦If people question the church in science, why

not in other things, too?Galileo is warned by pope, but he still

supports ideas of Copernicus and Ptolemy◦Threatened torture, rescinds ideas◦Lives under house arrest, dies as a

prisoner◦Catholic church agrees that Galileo was right

in 1992

Scientific MethodLogical procedure for gathering and

testing ideas◦Problem or question from observation◦Hypothesis◦Tested in experiment◦Analysis and interpretation to

prove/disprove hypothesisBacon and Descartes

◦Bacon thinks science can improve life Urges scientists to experiment, conclude

◦Descartes believes all should be doubted until proven (“I think, therefore I am”)

NewtonTheory of Motion

◦Physical objects affected by same forces

◦Motion of planets and all matter on earth and in space

◦“Every object attracts every other object” Depends on mass of object and distance

betweenGod as a clockmaker setting

universe in motion

Newton’s Laws◦http://www.makingthemodernworld.o

rg.uk/learning_modules/maths/06.TU.02/?section=4

◦http://www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk/learning_modules/maths/06.TU.02/?section=6

Spread of Scientific RevolutionTools and instruments

◦Microscope◦Barometer◦Thermometer

Medicine and anatomy◦Dissection of human bodies◦Vaccine to prevent smallpox (cowpox)

Chemistry◦Smaller primary particles (elements)◦Boyle’s law explains how volume, temp, and

pressure of gas affect each other

Module 1 Reflection Questions1. How did the Renaissance and Reformation

lead to the Scientific Revolution?2. Why do you think the Scientific Revolution

focused on physics and astronomy?3. Why do you think the discoveries of

Galileo, Copernicus, Kepler, Newton, Bacon, and Descartes were so revolutionary?

4. What was the church’s reaction to the Scientific Revolution? Why do you think this was the case?

Module 2: The EnlightenmentDefinition: a new intellectual movement stressing reason and thought and the power of individuals to solve problems

Two Views of GovernmentThomas Hobbes

◦Leviathan All humans are naturally selfish and

wicked Without gov’t, life would be “nasty,

brutish, and short”◦To have good life, give rights to

strong ruler and in return receive law and order (social contract)

◦Ruler needs total power to keep citizens under control (absolute monarchy)

Two Views of GovernmentJohn Locke

◦People can learn from experience and improve themselves

◦People can govern own affairs and look after welfare of society (no abs. monarchy, but self)

◦All born free and equal with three natural rights: life, liberty, property Government has responsibility to protect rights If gov’t fails, people should overthrow it

◦Power of gov’t comes from consent of the governed

PhilosophesGather in Paris, Fr.Apply reason to all aspects of life

◦Reason: truth discovered through reason/logic

◦Nature: what is natural is good, reasonable◦Happiness: seek happiness here, not in death◦Progress: society, humankind should improve◦Liberty: freedoms granted in Glorious Rev, Bill

of RightsSalons: places hosted by women of great

learning

VoltaireSatire of clergy, aristocracy, gov’t

◦Sent to prison, exiledFights for tolerance, reason,

freedom of religious belief, freedom of speech

“I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.”~ Voltaire

MontesquieuPolitical libertyBritain is best-governed and politically

balanced◦King and ministers have executive power

(carry out laws)◦Parliament as legislative power (make laws)◦ Judges of courts as judicial power (interpret

laws)Division of power as separation of

powers◦Power should be checked to prevent too

much Checks and balances

RousseauIndividual freedomCivilization corrupts people’s natural

goodness◦“Man is born free, and everywhere he is in

chains”~ Jean Jacques RousseauOnly good gov’t is one formed by people,

guided by “general will” of society (direct democracy)◦Give up some rights for greater good◦Consent of the governed◦All people are equal, nobility should be

abolishedIdeas lead to French revolution

BeccariaLaws exist to preserve social orderCriticizes abuse of justice

◦Torturing witnesses and suspects◦Irregular proceedings in trials◦Cruel and unusual punishments

Speedy and public trialPunishment based on seriousness

of crimeAbolish capital punishment

Women and the EnlightenmentTraditional views toward women

◦Education as good wife, mother◦No reading novels (It may corrupt)

Mary Astell promotes education and criticizes inequality between men and women

Mary Wollstonecraft◦Education to become virtuous and useful◦Women to enter medicine and politics

Catherine the Great of Russia◦Applies ideas of Montesquieu and Beccaria to

gov’t (no torture/capital punishment, tolerance)

Legacy of the EnlightenmentBelief in progress

◦Growth of scientific knowledge◦Reason to solve social problems◦End to slavery, greater social equality

Secular outlook◦Questioning of religion, the church◦Science and mathematic reason, not “God”

(?)Importance of individual

◦Looking to self, not religion◦Ability to reason for right and wrong◦Formation of government by individuals

Module 2 Reflection Questions1. How did the Scientific Revolution influence or lead to the

Enlightenment?2. Compare and contrast the ideas of two or more

Enlightenment philosophes.3. How/why was the Enlightenment connected to the

Reformation?4. Why were the ideas of the Reformation so revolutionary?5. The Enlightenment is the turning point that leads to a

new movement in world history (the transitionary movement from period 4 to period 5) around the year 1750. How do you foresee the Enlightenment changing world history and leading to a new era?

6. How were women involved in the Enlightenment? Were they successful? Why or why not?

7. Which Enlightenment ideal do you consider most important? Why?

Copernicus Kepler Galileo Hobbes

Locke Voltaire Rousseau Montesquieu