The Scientific Revolution

1
The Scientific Revolution

• What is a revolution?
• The Scientific Revolution involved a series of
  profound changes in the way people thought about
  the world around them.
• A major break from the past, the scientific
  Revolution took a leap away from the Greco-Roman
  models of learning and knowledge.

2
What did the Scientific Revolution Change?

• Human understanding of the universe.
• Techniques and systems for acquiring knowledge.
• Medical treatment.
• How people viewed authority.

3
Understanding the Universe
Up until the mid-1500s, people believed in the
model of the solar system proposed by Ptolemy, an
Ancient Greek astronomer.
Ptolemy proposed that the Earth was the center of
the universe. All other planets and the sun
revolved around Earth.
4
Changes in Astronomy

• In 1543 Polish astronomer Nicolas Copernicus
  published a book detailing the movements of the
  heavenly bodies.
• Copernicus questioned Ptolemys model of the
  universe.
• Used mathematical calculations to determine that
  sun is the center and the earth and other planets
  and stars revolve around it.

5
Changes in Astronomy

• Many Europeans doubted Copernicus conclusions.
• Others built on his theory.
• Tycho Brahe- Danish astronomer whose detailed
  observations of the planets and stars supported
  Copernicus model.
• Kepler- Brahes assistant. Analyzed mentors
  data.

6
Heliocentric Model

• Copernicus, Brahe and Kepler all provided
  evidence that the Earth was a revolving body,
  rather than the fixed center.
• This is the heliocentric model of the universe.

7
Galileos Controversy with the Catholic Church

• Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei supported the
  heliocentric model with observations and
  measurements made using a telescope.
• He observed sun spots, mountains on the Earths
  moon and four moons revolving around Jupiter.
• Galileo was interrogated by the Inquisition.
  Catholic Church forced him to denounce the
  heliocentric model.

8
Why was Galileo targeted?

• Why did scholars and Church officials attempt to
  discredit the heliocentric model?
• - It contradicted the work of an Ancient thinker.
  The Renaissance had glorified Greek and Roman
  learning.
• - Religion and common sense had indicated that
  Earth was the center.
• - If one truth comes into question, all truth
  can be challenged.

9
Scientific Method

• Though scholars and other authorities resisted
  change, new methods of acquiring knowledge about
  the world were developed in the 1600s.
• Scientific method- Observe and collect data
  Create a hypothesis Experiment to test the
  hypothesis Observe and record Conclusion
  Retest
• Bacon- emphasized the scientific method.
  Knowledge results from long process of
  investigation.
• Descartes- logic and reason as a means to solve
  problems and gain knowledge.

10
Isaac Newton

• Newton proposed a theory of gravity.
• Used mathematics to show that the planets orbit
  around the sun due to a single force.
• Also created laws of motion.
• Newton believed that all of nature was governed
  by fixed laws. Through mathematical
  calculations, these laws could be discovered.

11
Chemistry and Medicine

• Boyle- studied the effects of pressure and
  temperature on gas.
• Vesalius- detailed book on the human anatomy.
• Pare- French doctor- created ointment to prevent
  infection of wounds developed stitches.
• Harvey- discovered that the heart acted as a
  pump.
• Von Leeuwenhoek- improved the microscope and
  examined cells/microscopic organisms.

12
Effects

• The advances of the Scientific Revolution
  prompted a major shift in perspective of
  Europeans.
• Before the Revolution, many people assumed that
  truth was handed down from authorities such as
  religion, monarchy or the Ancient texts of Greek
  and Rome.
• After, people were willing to see truth as the
  result of careful scientific examination and
  reasoning.
• Questions challenge authority.