The Scientific RevolutionThe Scientific Revolution

Key ConceptsKey Concepts

I. The Aristotelian UniverseI. The Aristotelian Universe

Based on Ptolemy, Based on Ptolemy, Aristotle, and PlatoAristotle, and Plato ChristianizedChristianized 347 B.C. – 168 A.D. 347 B.C. – 168 A.D.

Earth = Living, Earth = Living, Protected SphereProtected Sphere

Views accepted Views accepted because they were because they were what people saw in what people saw in naturenature

II. Scientific II. Scientific ““RevolutionariesRevolutionaries””

A. Copernicus (1473-1543)A. Copernicus (1473-1543)

Pro-ChurchPro-Church Wanted to glorify GodWanted to glorify God

Sun-centered universeSun-centered universe Heliocentric theoryHeliocentric theory

Challenged circular Challenged circular orbitsorbits

On the Revolutions of On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheresthe Heavenly Spheres (1543)(1543) Presents his theoriesPresents his theories

B. Tycho Brahe (1546-B. Tycho Brahe (1546-1601)1601)

Most sophisticated Most sophisticated observatory of his observatory of his dayday

Remained an Remained an AristotelianAristotelian

Discovered comet Discovered comet shooting right shooting right through crystalline through crystalline spheresspheres Not a phenomenonNot a phenomenon

C. Johannes Kepler (1571-C. Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)1630)

Student of BraheStudent of Brahe Planetary motion Planetary motion

conforms to conforms to mathematical mathematical formulaformula

Elliptical orbitsElliptical orbits Planets do not Planets do not

move at the same move at the same speedsspeeds

D. Galileo Galilei (1564-D. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)1642)

Early practitioner of the Early practitioner of the experimental methodexperimental method

Mathematical formula for Mathematical formula for acceleration of falling acceleration of falling objectsobjects

Law of inertiaLaw of inertia Perfected the telescopePerfected the telescope

Used in his discoveriesUsed in his discoveries Confirmed Copernicus’ Confirmed Copernicus’

theorytheory Challenges old Challenges old

philosophersphilosophers Put on trial by the ChurchPut on trial by the Church

E. Isaac Newton (1642-E. Isaac Newton (1642-1727)1727)

Discovers GravityDiscovers Gravity Invents CalculusInvents Calculus Universe governed by Universe governed by

natural lawsnatural laws Laws of MotionLaws of Motion

11stst – Inertia – Inertia 22ndnd - Force and Mass - Force and Mass 33rdrd – Action/Reaction – Action/Reaction

Principia; Mathematical Principia; Mathematical Principles of Natural Principles of Natural PhilosophyPhilosophy (1687) (1687)

F. Francis Bacon (1561-F. Francis Bacon (1561-1626)1626)

The Inductive The Inductive MethodMethod Premises provide Premises provide

strong evidence for strong evidence for the conclusionthe conclusion

Probable, but not Probable, but not absoluteabsolute

Emphasis on Emphasis on practical, useful practical, useful knowledgeknowledge

G. Rene Descartes (1596-G. Rene Descartes (1596-1650)1650)

The Deductive The Deductive MethodMethod Starts with a Starts with a

hypothesis that is hypothesis that is tested to reach a tested to reach a conclusionconclusion

Proof is absoluteProof is absolute Father of Father of ““analytical analytical geometrygeometry””

III. Causes of the Scientific III. Causes of the Scientific RevolutionRevolution

Medieval Intellectual LifeMedieval Intellectual Life The Italian RenaissanceThe Italian Renaissance Renewed emphasis on Renewed emphasis on

mathematicsmathematics Renaissance system of Renaissance system of

patronagepatronage Rulers support research Rulers support research

and artsand arts Navigational problems of Navigational problems of

long sea voyageslong sea voyages Better scientific Better scientific

instrumentsinstruments

IV. Consequences of the IV. Consequences of the Scientific RevolutionScientific Revolution

Rise of the Rise of the ““Scientific Scientific CommunityCommunity”” Royal Society of London Royal Society of London

(1662)(1662) Academy of Royal Academy of Royal

Sciences (1666)Sciences (1666) The modern scientific The modern scientific

methodmethod A universe ordered A universe ordered

according to natural according to natural laws and logiclaws and logic

IV. Consequences of the IV. Consequences of the Scientific Revolution (cont)Scientific Revolution (cont)

Laws discovered by Laws discovered by human reasonhuman reason

Mechanical View of Mechanical View of the Universethe Universe Works like a clockWorks like a clock DemystifiedDemystified

Deistic View of GodDeistic View of God God created the world God created the world

and stepped back as an and stepped back as an observerobserver