New Directions in Thought

Science and PoliticsCh 14

New Directions Not One Direction

I. Scientific RevolutionWas not a rapid change in science

Made up mostly of a few key people Many misconceptionsReanalyzing old ideas and comparing to new observations

Predominantly occurred in Poland, Italy, Denmark, Bohemia, France and Great BritainEvolved from use of reason to our modern scientific method

Hypothesis- Experiment- Conclusion- Analysis

I. Scientific RevolutionNicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543)

PolishOn the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres

Questioned Ptolemaic SystemGeocentric vs. Heliocentric

Kept the epicycles (small circles in addition to orbit)Did say that orbit around the sun took longer

for planets that are farther away.

Ptolemaic System Copernican System

I. Scientific RevolutionJohannes Kepler (1571-1630)

German AstronomerThe New AstronomyAssistant to Tycho Brahe

Flawed concept but very detailed observations

Kept large amounts of recordsUsed Brahe’s data to prove a heliocentric model

Removed circular orbits and epicyclesElliptical OrbitsMathematically basedLacked idea of gravity to explain orbits

I. Scientific RevolutionGalileo Galilei (1564-1642)

Italian Philosopher, Mathematician and AstronomerStarry Messengers Letters on SunspotsUsed the telescope to look at the sky rather than things on earth

Realized space was much more complexArgued heliocentric was the only option

Named Jupiter’s moons after the Medicis (his patrons)

I. Scientific RevolutionGalileo (continued)

Pope Urban VIIIAsked Galileo to give arguments for and against the Heliocentric system

Not to favor heliocentrismDialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems

Condemned Galileo of heresyResult of misinterpretations by Catholic Church

Resulted in being forced to renounce his teachingsPlaced under house arrest until he died (9 years)

I. Scientific RevolutionSir Isaac Newton (1642-1727)

EnglandPhysicist, mathematician and astronomerThe Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy

Inertia applies to objects at rest and in motionMutual attraction/ gravity

Solidified heliocentrismReflecting telescopeTheory of color/ prismsEmpirical date- Must observe something before trying to explain it

I. Scientific RevolutionFrancis Bacon ((1561-1626)

EnglishLawyer, royal official and authorFather of Empiricism- experimentation in Science

Attacked scholasticism- truth already discovered and just needed to be re-discovered.

Break from tradition and produce useful results from new knowledge

Advancement of Learning, Novum OrganumSet the tone for learning

I. Scientific RevolutionRené Descartes (1596-1650)

French“I think, therefore I am”The Discourse on Method

Rejected scholasticismProve through mathematical principles

Divided world into 2 categoriesThinking thingsThings occupying spaceWanted science to focus on material

II. Political TheoryThomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

Heavily influenced by English Civil War (1642-1651)Leviathan 1651

Argued for a strong central governmentAbsolute Government

State of Nature- everyone is entitled to everything

ChaosMan is evil and not socially inclined

Governments job is to take some rights/power from the people for their own protection

Persecution and corruption- It happens

II. Political TheoryJohn Locke (1632-1704)

EnglishCriticized Absolute Government1st and 2nd Treatise of Government

State of Nature- Freedom and EqualityUnregulated- Life, Liberty and PropertyPeople are reasonable and exhibit goodwillCompetition and readiness with small conflict

Government’s job is to preserve everyone's rights and resolve conflictGovernment rules by social contract/popular sovereignty

Government breaks contract- people overthrow government

Influenced American colonist

III. CultureAge of Enlightenment

Started in 1700’sInfluenced by changes in political theory and scientific methodsPushed to reform society and advance scienceBrought about political revolutions

American and French

III. CultureWomen

Not openly involved in Scientific RevolutionMore behind the scenes

Queen Christina of SwedenBrought Descartes to Sweden to run education

Wrote books under the names of their husbandsMostly women of noble birthMargaret Cavendish

Privately tutoredCriticized London’s Royal society for failing to solve problems with Scientific advancement

III. CultureWitch Hunts

Started for two possible reasonsBreaking of social norms by women

Most “witches” were single and usually over 40 (widowed)Midwives blamed for death of mother or child

Church expanding control of localsWomen and men who practiced “magic”- usually herbalist

Said to make pacts with the devil and practice anti-Christian practices

Sabbats or black sabbaths

III.CultureMidwives

Women who delivered babiesSome were trained by family membersSome were trained by medical staffWere eventually replaced by more experienced medical staff

Women were not allowed to train to be a doctor

III. CultureBaroque

Originated in RomeArt of the 1600-1700sMusic is very stylized

Vivaldi/”The Four Seasons”Art

Sharp contrast between light and darkGian Lorenzo Bernini

ArchitectureVery ornatePalace of Versailles

Ecstasy of St. Theresa