People initiated new ways of thinking about the natural world that challenged traditional

views and instead relied upon experimentation.Some Middle Ages scholars sought answers about the natural world

from the church. In the mid-1500s, others began to think in new ways.

• Scholars relied on traditional authorities for beliefs about structure of universe

• Geocentric theory, Aristotle– Earth center of universe– Sun, moon, planets

revolved around Earth• Ideas upheld by church,

accepted authority for European intellectuals

The Old View• Scholars began to challenge

traditional authorities, 1500s

• Scientific Revolution, new way of thinking

• Posed theories, developed procedures to test ideas

• Why open to new ideas?– Exploration – New lands, new people,

new animals

New Viewpoints

Ancient scholars could provide no information about new lands, people, animals

Age of Exploration led scientists to study natural world more closely

Other things to be discovered, things unknown to ancients

Navigators needed more accurate instruments, geographic knowledge

Scientists examined natural world, found it did not match ancient beliefs

• Scientific Method• Identify problem• Form hypothesis

• Perform experiments to test hypothesis

• Record results• Analyze results, form conclusion

New Approach to Investigation

Nicolaus Copernicus – observed the sun, moon and the stars. concluded that the sun was the center of the

universe, not the earth. was the first scientist to make a model of the

universepublished a book in last year of his life, went against

teachings of the Church.

Galileo Galilei – invented an improved telescope to observe the

Heavensobserved craters on the moon, sunspots on the Sunobserved Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons reaffirmed Copernicus’ position on the Sun being the

center of the universe.

Galileo was asked by the Church to come in and defend his position on his findings and theories.

He was seen as a threat and a heretic and condemned by the Church.

He was ordered to be imprisoned and his writings were banished.

Later, this sentence was reduced to “house arrest”.

He lived out his remaining days studying the sun, moon, and stars.

Ironically, he went blind from staring at the sun too long through his telescope.

Change in science world

• Isaac Newton, English scientist

• Brought together astronomy, physics, math

• Wondered about gravity

Newton developed calculus, new kind of math

Used calculus to predict effects of gravity German philosopher Gottfried von Leibniz

also developed calculus at same time Each accused the other of plagiarism Historians believe it was simple case of

independent discovery

There were great strides made in biology and anatomy and physiology.

English physician William Harvey described blood and circulatory system functions

Scientists invented the microscope and were able to observe micro-organisms such as bacteria.

Robert Hooke came up with the term cell.

Robert Boyle is considered the father of modern chemistry. He coined the term element.

Antoine Lavoisier developed a system of measurement known as the metric system.

Scientific Revolution established new way of thinking about physical

world Great advances made in astronomy, physics,

biology, chemistry Advances influenced developments in arts,

architecture Impact of Scientific Revolution soon would

cause philosophers, scholars to wonder if reason could solve poverty, war, ignorance