THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION AND THE

ENLIGHTENMENT

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Explain how the scientific world influenced society and thought. 

“Science” Before the Scientific Revolution

• Based almost entirely on reasoning

• Experimental method or observation wasn’t used at all

• Science in medieval times• Alchemy

• Astrology

A medieval alchemist

Factors Leading to the Scientific Revolution

• Rise of universities

• Contact with non-Western societies

• The Renaissance

• Exploration

Scientific Revolution

• Background:– Challenging Old Ideas: Revolutions

• 1. Renaissance challenged the notion that only the Church had the right answers. New Idea: the individual. A cultural revolution

• 2. Reformation challenged accepted religious ideas on God, salvation and the soul. It also challenged the notion of one church and Papal control. A religious revolution

• 3. Scholars began to question old accepted ideas about the Earth and universe: Scientific Revolution

Scientific Revolution

• Background:– Prior to 1500’s… truth regarding the functioning of

the Earth and universe, most scholars relied on Greek and Roman philosophers/scientists and the Bible.

• Most did not test these ideas for their correctness. – By the mid-1500’s this changed. Scholars began to

test and question the ancient thinkers.• Old assumptions became replaced with new theories.• This led to a change in the way people thought: Scientific

Revolution.

Scientific Revolution

• The Earth and Universe– Middle Ages: Earth seen as unmoving, at the

center of the Universe. The moon, sun and all planets revolved around the earth in perfect circular orbits.

• This view was supported by Aristotle and Ptolemy: Geocentric Model or earth-centered theory.

• The Church taught that God had deliberately done this because Earth had a special place.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Scientific Revolution• Scientific Method:

– A) Procedure begins with a problem or question arising from observation

– B) A hypothesis (unproven assumption) is formed– C) Hypothesis is then tested by experimentation

and data collection.– D) Analyze and interpret data to reach a new

conclusion proving or disproving hypothesis.• ***New Thinking: relying on individual abilities.

Centers of the Enlightenment

Reading During the Enlightenment

►Literacy: 80% for men; 60% women.80% for men; 60% women.

► Books were expensive (one dayBooks were expensive (one day’’s wages).s wages).

► Many readers for each book (20 Many readers for each book (20 : 1): 1)

novels, plays & other literature.novels, plays & other literature.

journals, memoirs, journals, memoirs, ““private lives.private lives.””

philosophy, history, theology.philosophy, history, theology.

newspapers, political pamphletsnewspapers, political pamphlets..

An Increase in Reading

“Must Read” Books of the Time

SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTIONChanging views of the universe

COPERNICUS

• Polish scholar • Proposed the idea

of a heliocentric or sun-centered universe – The Earth was one

of several planets to revolve around the sun

Models of the Universe:

Geocentric vs. Heliocentric Geocentric: the Earth is at the center of the universe; all heavenly bodies move around the Earth

Heliocentric: the Sun is at the center of the universe; all heavenly bodies move around the Sun—including the Earth

COPERNICUS’ SOLAR SYSTEM

GALILEO

• Observed Jupiter’s moons orbiting that planet

• Condemned by the Catholic Church

• His ideas challenged Christian teachings – That heavens were

fixed, unmoving & perfect

GALILEO FACING AN INQUISITION

• 1633- tried before the inquisition – Threatened with

excommunication unless he withdrew his heresies

• Agreed to state publicly that the Earth stood motionless at center of the universe

SIR ISSAC NEWTON

• Proved Galileo correct

• Defined the Law of Gravity

• Invented calculus• His laws became the

starting point for investigating everything in nature.

LAW OF GRAVITY

Scientific Revolution--Enlightenment

• Rene Descartes: mid-1600’s:– French Philosopher and scientist – One of the most influential

advocates of science.– Wrote: “Discourse on Method”:

Argued that all thought had to follow the clear, orderly progression of scientific reasoning. Everything has to be proved.

– The use of reason was vital: clear, rational, logical thinking.

Scientific Revolution-----Enlightenment

• Sir Francis Bacon:– Believed science would help

humanity conquer nature and would end all suffering in the world.

• The scientific method will move from a strict scientific use to all realms of thinking including political, social.

Exit Ticket

• Define: Heliocentric • How did astronomers change the way

people viewed the universe? • Why did the Catholic church have such

strong opposition to the scientific view? • In your own words describe what the

scientific method is.

THE ENLIGHTENMENT

Essential Question:Why is the Enlightenment

considered to be a turning point in World History?

Learning Objective:What was the impact of the

Enlightenment on political and economic change?

The Enlightenment• Definition: Period when a new kind of thinking

arose. It involved the use of reason.• Also known as the Age of reason

– Three main ideas: Liberty, Tolerance, Rights– A belief that all mysteries could be solved using reason. – Less reliance on religion

• Questioning of religious ideas, traditions– Brought together ideas from the Renaissance and

Scientific Revolution

Enlightenment• 1688-1790• Brought together ideas from Renaissance and the Scientific

Revolution.– Secular outlook, look critically at society, seek truth using

reason, test everything using standards of reason.• Characteristic of Enlightenment: rationalism: truth can be

arrived at solely by the use of reason = Age of Reason = Enlightenment.

• 1700’s groups of thinkers sought to apply scientific thinking to all aspects of life: they were known as philosophes.

John Locke1632-1704

• One of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers.

• Felt people had natural rights – Life, liberty & property• Social Contract – Governments are formed to protect

natural rights– An agreement by the governed on a set

of rules by which they are governed.– Legitimate governments derive their

authority from the consent of the governed.

TWO TREATIES OF GOVERNMENT

Enlightenment• Effects: This kind of thinking was powerful and

led to: The American and French Revolutions both of which relied heavily on Enlightenment thinking: ex. “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” and “We the people”

VOLTAIRE• Freedom of Speech

– Wrote about inequality & injustice– Thought of himself as “enlightened”– “Free Debate and Inquiry, no

prejudice”– Admired the English form of

government and the ideas of reason and natural rights (John Locke)

– Doubted the Christian religion– Wrote much against: prejudice,

superstition, intolerance.

Montesquieu

• Spirit of Laws – 1748 – Discussed governments &

praised Britain’s limited monarchy

• Separation of Powers• Checks & Balances

“THE SPIRIT OF LAWS”

THREE BRANCHES

ROUSSEAU

• Felt society placed too many limitations on people’s behavior – Believed government

should be minimal

Denis Diderot (1713-1784)

► All things must be examined, All things must be examined, debated, investigated without debated, investigated without exception and without regard exception and without regard for anyonefor anyone’’s feelings.s feelings.

► We will speak against We will speak against senseless laws until they are senseless laws until they are reformed; and, while we wait, reformed; and, while we wait, we will abide by them.we will abide by them.

Physiocrats

Focused on economic reform

David Hume

• First form of skepticism • He was a naturalist

Adam Smith(1723-1790)

• British economist – Economic Liberty: Adam Smith Argued

for Laissez faire governments: no government interference in the economy: free market

• Published: The Wealth of Nations, in 1776. a. Allow businesses to operate with little or not

government interference. b. A free economy could produce far more than

one regulated by governmental laws. Relied on his 3 natural laws of economics.

Enlightened LeadersPromoted ideals of tolerance, equal justice. Leaders believe their roles to be as servants.Frederick the Great – “I am a servant of the State”

FREDERICK THE GREAT• King of Prussia 1740-86• Admired Voltaire’s work • Wanted to make reforms to

make government more efficient - Reorganized civil service & simplified laws-Forced peasants to grow crops – Potatoes -Gave them tools and seeds-Tolerated religion - welcomed victims of religious persecution

CATHERINE THE GREAT

Russia 1762-1796•Admired Voltaire•Made limited reforms in govt & law•Did not intend to give up power Criticized serfdom & granted nobles a charter of rights Patron of arts, literature and education

JOSEPH II

Hapsburg Emperor • Traveled in disguise to

find out the problems of his subjects

• “peasant emperor”

The Enlightenment

• France and England– France: Refused to progress. Would lead to

French Revolution– England: Strong Parliament, strong banking

system, broad tax system, found peace and prosperity