The Scientific RevolutionAnd the Age of Reason

What is the Scientific Revolution?

• It’s the shift away from the old way of finding information to a new method of scientific discovery

• Mathematicians and scientists made major achievements using the new method

• Caused major changes in the Catholic Church, the arts, and communities across Europe

The Old Method of Study• When you had a question

concerning science or math, you could:

• Observe what’s going on during the event and draw a conclusion

• OR you could ask authorities from the Catholic Church how things work (recommended)

• OR you could read ancient Greek and Roman texts about your question

• OR you could believe in superstition (pretty common)

What Caused the Scientific Revolution?

• Exploration of the New World exposed people to new things they had never seen before

• Church authorities could not explain many of these new discoveries, so people relied more and more on the writings of ancient scientists

• Instead of accepting answers without question, scientists began to pose theories about the natural world and follow a common procedure to test those theories

The New Method of Study• All scientists would follow the

same basic procedure to solve a problem:

• 1. Identify the problem or research a question to be answered

• 2. form a hypothesis (possible answer) that can be tested

• 3. perform experiments to test the hypothesis

• 4. record the results of the experiments

• 5. analyze the results and form a conclusion that either proves of disproves the hypothesis

Advancements in Astronomy and Physics

• Scientists used mathematical data to prove that the Earth and other planets revolved around the Sun

• Wealthy kings and nobles financed the building of observatories so more discoveries could be made

• While studying the properties of gravity, Isaac Newton created a new kind of math called calculus

• More complex mathematics led to greater advancements in science, engineering, and medicine

Discoveries in Biology and Chemistry• Doctors learned more about how the human body

worked, including the circulatory system• Scientists learned about microorganisms with the

invention of the microscope• Chemists identified the properties of many natural

elements and created the first periodic table

Effects of the Scientific Revolution

• The Catholic Church clashed with scientists whose findings contradicted Church teachings

• Most scientists were Christians and did not want to cause conflicts with the Church, but many stood firmly behind their findings

• Artists incorporated math and biology to create more realistic paintings and sculptures; painters used chemistry to improve the color and durability of paint

• Engineers used math and physics to make stronger and more impressive buildings

The EnlightenmentThe Age of Reason

What is Reason?• It is a type of thought using

logic and analysis• People ask questions, perform

experiments, and collect information to support their conclusions

• People must remove emotion to make the most objective and fair decisions

The Age of Reason• The Scientific Revolution encouraged people to use reason

not only to solve problems in science, but also all human problems

• Philosophers used reason to find and understand truth; they met in coffeehouses and public squares to debate their ideas

• Paris became a top destination for philosophers to congregate

• Many philosophers published their ideas and distributed them among educated Europeans

• This era became known as The Enlightenment

Enlightenment Views on Government

Thomas Hobbes• From England, lived through the English Civil War• Wrote Leviathan• He believed people are naturally selfish and greedy• He thought an absolute monarchy would be able to

impose the law and order people needed • People entered into a Social Contract with the

government• People should give up basic rights and freedoms in

exchange for safety and security

John Locke• From England• Believed people are naturally good and

positive; everyone is born equal with the rights of life, liberty, and property

• Governments should protect people’s natural rights

• People should be able to choose their government, and overthrow it if it fails to protects citizens’ natural rights

Jean-Jaques Rousseau• From France• Believed people were born

good and equal, but that society corrupted them

• Governments should work for the benefit of the “common good,” not just the wealthy

• People should give up some of their rights for the benefit of the entire community

Baron de Montesquieu• From France• Believed governments should have a

separation of powers to prevent corruption and abuse of power

Enlightenment Views on Society

Voltaire• French philosopher• Hated injustice and

attacked it whenever possible

• Argued for justice and religious toleration throughout his life

• Made many enemies and was imprisoned twice; was exiled to England for two years because of his beliefs

Diderot• French Philosopher• Wrote Encyclopedia, a multi-

volume work that was designed to promote knowledge

• Included Diderot’s ideas on art, science, government, and religion

• French government and Catholic Church tried to stop its publication, but Diderot had it published in secret

• Encyclopedia helped spread Enlightenment ideas across Europe and America

Mary Wollstonecraft• From England• Wrote A Vindication

of the Rights of Women

• Argued that women should have equal access to education

• If everyone had equal education, they would have equal rights in society

Adam Smith• From Scotland• Used reason to analyze

European economic systems

• Believed the government should not interfere with the economy

• The economy would be stronger if the natural forces of supply and demand guided it

Universal Enlightenment Ideas

• The ability to reason is what makes humans unique

• Reason can be used to solve problems and improve people’s lives

• Reason can free people from ignorance, superstition, and unfair government

• The world is governed by natural laws that can be discovered through reason

• Human behavior is governed by the same laws as nature

• Governments should reflect natural laws and encourage education and debate