CHAPTER 20: SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION
Chapter 20/ Section 1: New Scientific Ideas
Role of the Catholic Church:
Magic, Mysticism and ancient writings ruled during the Middle Ages. The
Catholic Church believed that the earth was flat and was the center of the universe. The
Universe was created by God to serve people. The Earth must be the center of the
universe because it is the home of the people, according to the Catholic Church.
Scientists
Nicolas Copernicus- (Polish/Catholic) Earth was round and, on an axis rotated around
the sun, which was at the center of the universe. He wrote a book called “On Revolutions
of the Heavenly Sphere.” (1543) His studies started with the teachings of 2nd century
Alexandrian Ptolemy who thought that the planets revolved around the earth.
Johannes Kepler- (German/Protestant) planets move in ellipses not circles (Copernicus)
and those closer to the sun travel faster. He wrote “On the Motion of Mars”(1609)
Galileo Galilei- (Italian/Catholic/died 1642) build telescope and discover mountains on
the moon, rings on Saturn, and moons around Jupiter. He theorized that some planets
move around the sun, not the earth. Developed the law of inertia, which states that an
object stays at rest or moves in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force.
Philosophers
Francis Bacon- (English/1561-1650) developed scientific method that is made up of
observation, generalization and experimentation. He said that the ancient authorities
were not the only source of truth.
Rene Descartes- (French) doubted everything except his own existence that he proved
with the quote: “I think, therefore I am,” in Latin, “Cogito Ergo Sum.”
Isaac Newton- the theory of gravity that prevented things from flying around in the earth
and kept the solar system in order. Main idea is that nature fits into a set of rules.
Natural world studies
Claudius Galen- (Ancient Roman) discovered blood in the veins but also had many
mistakes.
Andreas Vesalius- (French) dissected corpses to find out about the human body.
William Harvey- (English) blood circulates through the body
Robert Hooke- discovered the cell
Robert Boyle- (Irish) Considered to be the father of modern chemistry.
Joseph Priestley- (English) discovered the existence of oxygen and of carbon dioxide
Antoine Lavoisier- (French) experimented with oxygen
Discussion of terms:
Hypothesis: a proposition that attempts to explain a set of facts
Scientific method: the methods of inquiry that uses observation, generalization, and
experimentation.
How did people view the universe and the working of the human body before the
scientific revolution of the 1600’s?
Class Notes- Chapter 20/ Section 2: Impact of Science
Natural Law: People began to think that nature was run by a series of laws. This in turn
caused many to believe that society could be run by a series of understandable laws or a
natural law. This was defined as a universal moral law that could be studied by
applying reason.
Application of Natural law to Government
As England began to struggle with a civil war, those who believed that the king
should have absolute power and those who thought the people should govern them
became at odds. Two philosophers lined up on either side of the issue: Thomas Hobbes
and John Locke.
Thomas Hobbes: 1600’s- An English philosopher who believed monarchy was the best
form of government. He believed that violence was natural for humans and that to
govern this violence and accompanying chaos, an absolute ruler was essential. In the
interest of peace and security, absolute control should be given to the King. He wrote
“The Leviathan”(1651) which was about humans at war with each other. Also wrote
“Two Treaties of Government” (1690)
John Locke: 1600- English philosopher who advocated a social contract between
government and the people. Locke believed that people are generally moral and
reasonable and that they should be afforded natural rights that include life, liberty and
property. The government of these people should be based on a contract that they have
with the government and, if their rights are violated, may be broken by the people. This
is called a social contract. Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence is based on Locke’s
point of view. Locke wrote “Essay Concerning Human Understanding” (1690)
Contrast Hobbes view of government and Locke’s view of government.
Hobbes believed that people should live obediently under a ruler while Locke
thought that people should disband the government if it did not uphold their rights.
Law
At this point, the concept of natural law is applied to the practice of law.
Credence of hearsay and confessions under torture are not applied under this new logical
way of thinking. Hugo Grotius comes up with the idea that a system of logic and a single
set of laws could be applied to all law, even international law. William Penn, in the
colonies, is the author of the idea of pacifism or the settling of disputes through logic not
violence.
Religion
In addition to law, Religion also came into question. Established religions lost followers
due to skepticism and deism came into existence. This is based on the logical role of
man in the universe and avoids the illogical references to heaven in the traditional
religions. In fact, these people thought that the established religions played to the
“superstition and ignorance” of the people.
Class Notes- Chapter 20/ Section 3: Triumph of Reason
Three groups of people attempted to practice these new laws:
1.
The Philosophs were French philosophers who believed in the teachings of John
Locke and Isaac Newton. They became followers of an idea called the Salon. In the city
of Paris, writers, philosophers and artist assembled in the Salons of rich patrons of the
arts.
Notable philosophs included:
Denis Diderot- assembled the first encyclopedia. 28 volumes and 3000 pages, published
in 1751
Baron de Montesquieu- believed in the separation of the branches of the government.
Contributed to the Diderot Encyclopedia
Francois Marie Arouet AKA Voltaire- Criticized the Catholic Church and a proponent
of the idea of free speech. “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death
your right to say it.”
2.
Enlightened despots. Several leaders attempted to follow this new teaching about
the rules of government:
Frederic II of Prussia attempted to provide and educate his citizens
Maria Theresa of Austria- attempted to protect the serfs
Her son, Joseph II- abolished serfdom and gave freedom of press
3.
Other thinkers:
Jean Jacques RousseauHe believed that man is essentially good, and that
governments and society corrupts them. A return to nature could cure these problems.
He also believed that the power to rule belonged to the people who had the right to rise
up and take it away.
Immanuel Kant- He believed in the idea of testing reality but believed that God,
religion and beauty lived outside this idea and while they existed could not be tested and
proved like other physical things.