The Scientific Revolution

The Scientific Revolution

A New World ViewA New World View

What Was the Scientific Revolution?

What Was the Scientific Revolution?

A revolution in human understanding and knowledge about the physical universe

17th Century Began w/ Copernicus Ended w/ Newton

A revolution in human understanding and knowledge about the physical universe

17th Century Began w/ Copernicus Ended w/ Newton

“Science” Before the SR“Science” Before the SR

Based on reasoning

Experimental method or observation - not used

Medieval Science Alchemy Astrology

Based on reasoning

Experimental method or observation - not used

Medieval Science Alchemy Astrology

Creating a New Worldview Creating a New Worldview

Hallmarks of SR Questioning of old knowledge &

assumptions Gradual replacement of religious &

superstitious presumptions Gradual rise of science & reason

Hallmarks of SR Questioning of old knowledge &

assumptions Gradual replacement of religious &

superstitious presumptions Gradual rise of science & reason

Factors Leading to SRFactors Leading to SR

Rise of universities

Renaissance Reformation Exploration

Rise of universities

Renaissance Reformation Exploration

Astronomy & PhysicsAstronomy & Physics

Work with the person next to you and diagram the Universe as we know it today

Be as accurate as possible You have 2 minutes…

Work with the person next to you and diagram the Universe as we know it today

Be as accurate as possible You have 2 minutes…

How does your

diagram differ?

How does your

diagram differ?

Astronomy & PhysicsAstronomy & Physics

Prior to SR - Ptolemaic System prevailed

Geocentric Universe Earth is at center Remains fixed while the heavens

move around it

Prior to SR - Ptolemaic System prevailed

Geocentric Universe Earth is at center Remains fixed while the heavens

move around it

Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus

1473-1543 Polish Suggested the

universe was heliocentric

1473-1543 Polish Suggested the

universe was heliocentric

Copernicus’ Heliocentric Universe

Copernicus’ Heliocentric Universe

Sun centered Planets revolved around sun Moon, around Earth Earth rotated on an axis

Sun centered Planets revolved around sun Moon, around Earth Earth rotated on an axis

Copernican UniverseCopernican Universe Afraid of the Catholic Church Published theory on his deathbed

Afraid of the Catholic Church Published theory on his deathbed

Tycho BraheTycho Brahe

1546-1601 Danish

mathematician More accurate

positioning of planets

1546-1601 Danish

mathematician More accurate

positioning of planets

Johannes KeplerJohannes Kepler 1571-1630 German mathematician Proved Copernican

theory via math Kepler’s First Law

Earth orbits in an elliptical (egg-shaped) pattern, not circular like Copernicus suggested

1571-1630 German mathematician Proved Copernican

theory via math Kepler’s First Law

Earth orbits in an elliptical (egg-shaped) pattern, not circular like Copernicus suggested

Galileo GalileiGalileo Galilei

1564-1642 Italian

mathematician Improved telescope Went public with

heliocentrism

1564-1642 Italian

mathematician Improved telescope Went public with

heliocentrism

Science on TrialScience on Trial

Catholic Church - not happy

Arrested by Inquisition

Tried Condemned Forced to recant

Copernican views House arrest

Catholic Church - not happy

Arrested by Inquisition

Tried Condemned Forced to recant

Copernican views House arrest

Sir Isaac NewtonSir Isaac Newton

1642-1727 British

mathematician Laws of motion

1642-1727 British

mathematician Laws of motion

Universal Law of GravityUniversal Law of Gravity

Explains why planets continue an elliptical orbit around sun

Mathematical in nature States that every object in the

universe is attracted to every other object by a force called gravity

Explains why planets continue an elliptical orbit around sun

Mathematical in nature States that every object in the

universe is attracted to every other object by a force called gravity

MedicineMedicine

Better understanding of anatomy & physiology

Microscope invented

Better understanding of anatomy & physiology

Microscope invented

ChemistryChemistry

Robert Boyle Boyle’s Law (properties

of gasses)

Antoine Lavoisier Father of modern

chemistry Invented system for

naming chemical elements still used today (periodic table)

Robert Boyle Boyle’s Law (properties

of gasses)

Antoine Lavoisier Father of modern

chemistry Invented system for

naming chemical elements still used today (periodic table)

RationalismRationalism Reason, not tradition,

is the source of all knowledge

René Descartes (1596-1650)

French philosopher & mathematician

Cogito, ergo sum (“I think, therefore I am”)

Deductive reasoning (general specific)

Reason, not tradition, is the source of all knowledge

René Descartes (1596-1650)

French philosopher & mathematician

Cogito, ergo sum (“I think, therefore I am”)

Deductive reasoning (general specific)

EmpiricismEmpiricism

The belief that experience is the only true source of knowledge

Huge shift toward empiricism in the SR

Led to development of the Scientific Method

The belief that experience is the only true source of knowledge

Huge shift toward empiricism in the SR

Led to development of the Scientific Method

Scientific MethodScientific Method

Francis Bacon (1561-1627)

English philosopher & empiricist

Systematic procedure for collecting & analyzing evidence

Inductive reasoning (specific general)

Francis Bacon (1561-1627)

English philosopher & empiricist

Systematic procedure for collecting & analyzing evidence

Inductive reasoning (specific general)