Before the 16th century, the works and ideas of Aristotle and Ptolemy were widely accepted by the people, government and church. Aristotles ideas of astronomy, motion and matter with Ptolemys ideas of planetary movement form the basic beliefs of science before the 16th century. The 16th and 17th centuries were a time for science. New discoveries were made that disproved the common ideas of Aristotle and Ptolemy. However, these new discoveries were often affected politically and socially because it disagreed with the common knowledge.
When a new idea, such as the scientific discoveries made during the Scientific Revolution, is presented, there is always an opinion on it given by many people. The opinions can be negative or positive, but it is human nature to give your opinion on an idea. These opinions are the social factors that affected the work of scientists during the Scientific Revolution. When looking at Document 4, an excerpt from a letter from the author, Marin Mersenne to his noble patron, Marin suggests that “if you object to anything, I am ready to remove it entirely.”(Document 4). Marin is obviously in fear or under the control of his patron, who funds his work. Marin only has the power to create the work, but the patron can do anything with it, include change the text to suit his/her own beliefs or satisfactions.
Thomas Hobbes describes how work is not affected politically or socially when it does not affect “[any] one’s ambition, profit, or lust.” (Document 5). Hobbes is trying to say that scientists’ work is only politically or socially affected when it affects someone else’s work, ideas, goals or benefits. A different type of work being socially affected is shown in Margaret Cavendish’s Observations on Experimental Philosophy, where she discusses her desire to “set up [her] own school of natural philosophy.” (Document 6). However, Cavendish cannot accomplish that goal because of her gender, as she states: “But I, being a woman, do fear they would soon cast me out…” (Document 6). At this point in time, 1666, women were still at a lower social rank than men. Women were denied rights such as opening a school, and this socially affected their work because they were limited as to what they can do. Overall, more than often, a scientist or philosopher’s work was often affected by the beliefs, satisfactions, goals, benefits, social status and norms of society.
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Additionally, whenever a new idea is presented, not only are controversial opinions given and affect the work, but also, the new idea can be affected politically by the ruler, government, officials and religion. In Nicolaus Copernicus’s On the Revolution of the Heavenly Spheres, Copernicus dedicates an excerpt to Pope Paul III. “It is to your Holiness rather than to anyone else that I have chosen to dedicate these studies of mine.” (Document 1) shows that Copernicus’s admiration for the Pope affects how he writes and presents his work because he knows that the Pope will read it. This is an example of a scientist/philosopher’s work being politically affected. John Calvin, in his book Commentaries on the First Book of Moses (Genesis), describes how “astronomy is not only pleasant…it cannot be denied that this art unfolds the admirable wisdom of God.” Calvin defends astronomy and other sciences by connecting it to religion.
Calvin knows that the brilliant works of scientists, and the scientists themselves, are being attacked because their work contradicts religious or common ideas. So, Calvin defends astronomy by connecting it to religion to satisfy both ends. In a drawing by an unknown artist from 1671, Louis XIV is portrayed to be visiting the French Royal Academy. (Document 7). This drawing is very detailed as to including science tools such as maps, globes, anatomic models, and various chemical beakers and cups. Louis XIV visits this academy in all his glory because he supports science. So, in some cases like this, work is not negatively affected at all. In this case, the scientists’ work can be positively affected because with the ruler’s support, the scientists’ are motivated to continue their work at it’s fullest. Overall, a scientist or philosopher’s work can be positively or negatively affected politically by the ruler or religion.
The Scientific Revolution, which took place in the 16th and 17th centuries brought forth new discoveries that contradicted the widely accepted ideas of Aristotle and Ptolemy. However, these new ideas of science were often affected politically and socially because it disagreed with the common knowledge. This idea still prevails in modern terms. A lot of science/discoveries. is affected politically and socially because of morality issues and judgement by the government and people, which results in censorship or complete prohibition of that science or discovery. For example, is the creation of artificial life morally correct? Is it too controversial to decide?
As a final note, all the time, since the beginning of time, the Scientific Revolution, and present time, any new idea presented by a scientist or philosopher will be judged by all means. It can be a positive judgment, and often a negative judgement based on the reader’s beliefs, satisfactions, goals, benefits, social status, norms of society. Additionally, the work can be affected by politics and religion. However, just because an idea is negatively judged, it does not mean the work will prevail positively in the future.
