Events leading to Scientific Revolution

1. Scientific Revolution & Age of Enlightenment (1543-1790)

2. Events leading to Scientific Revolution • Discovery of New World - New species, interest in natural sciences - Link between navigation and astronomy • Invention of Printing Press - Allowed ideas to spread quickly • Rivalry among nation states - Leaders fund scientific advances for benefit of their people • Questioning of World View - Renaissance Humanism and Reformation • New inventions - telescope, vacuum pump, thermometer, barometer, microscope

3. Copernican Revolution Nicholas Copernicus in 1543 • Heliocentric System- planets revolve around the sun in circular motion. Johannes Kepler • planets move in elliptical motion Galileo • Used telescope to observe moon, planets, stars • Principle of inertia • Placed under house arrest for his views

4. Sir Isaac Newton Principia 1687 • Concept of Gravity • Father of differential calculus • Basic laws of physics

5. Scientific Method • State the Problem 1. Gather Information about the Problem 2. Form a Hypothesis-Educated Guess 3. Experiment to test Hypothesis 4. Record and analyze data from experiment 5. State the conclusion of the experiment • Repeat the steps

6. Impact on Philosophy • Scientific revolution showed the power of the human mind Francis Bacon 1561-1620 • Rely on evidence and observation rather than tradition Rene Descartes 1596-1650 • Systematic, orderly thinking • Reason over experimentation • “I think therefore I am” • Father of modern philosophy

7. Principle Ideas of Enlightenment • Rationalism- truth can only be arrived at by reason • Cause and Effect - can be discovered through experimentation and observation • Natural Law- created by God, guide the universe • Progress- society and individuals can be improved • Freedom- individuals should be able to make up their own minds. Free of dogma, superstition, government interference • Happiness- a morally good life is a happy life Seek happiness on earth, not in afterlife.

8. Thomas Hobbes 1588-1679 • Apply experimental method to politics • Witnessed brutality of English Revolution Leviathan • Life without government is “nasty, brutish and short” • Called for absolutism

9. John Locke 1632-1704 • Argued that man is born free in nature • Enters into a social contract with government • Inalienable rights: life, liberty and property • If government challenges those rights, citizens should rebel

10. Enlightenment Thinkers Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) • “Dare to Know” Philosophes • Discussed philosophy in salons of wealthy • Republic of Letters- international community who spread ideas of enlightenment Voltaire (1694-1778) • Deist • Religion crushed the human spirit • Religious toleration

11. Enlightenment Thinkers Montesquieu (1689-1755) • Separation of powers • Checks and balances Diderot (1713-1784) • The Encyclopedia • Tried to gather and organize all knowledge • Spread enlightenment ideas

12. Enlightenment Thinkers Rousseau (1712-1778) • Creation of direct democracy • The Social Contract - sovereignty comes from the will of the people

13. Enlightened Absolutist • Catherine the Great of Russia • Joseph II of Austria • Frederick II of Prussia