The Scientific Revolution laid the foundation for critical thinking and changed the way the world views and solves problems. The Medieval period, prior to the Scientific Revolution, created the base of thought in culture, math, physics, astronomy, medicine, and science to build on. When cultures started merging due to an increase in travel and trade, access to new learning centers, texts, and works were acquired by the founders of the Scientific Revolution. Access to Greek, Arabic, Chinese, and New World knowledge not only created a hunger to learn but created a new foundation for understanding and enlightenment. Some of the theories and teachings discovered were disproved, but some were built upon.
A major player in the Scientific Revolution was a Polish cleric, Nicolaus Copernicus. In his work, On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Speres, he opened the doors of theoretical thinking that the earth and other planets rotated around the sun (553). Even though his thinking was exciting and revolutionary, he did not make this theory public until the year of his death (553). Following the Copernican hypothesis, another astronomer, Tycho Brahe, continued astronomical studies and left details of his findings for others to learn from.
Johannes Kepler then took those findings further and developed three revolutionary laws of planetary motion using mathematics to prove his theories and Copernicus theory. Another historical giant in this revolution was Galileo Galilei. He caught wind of the telescope, made his own telescope, and obtained concrete evidence proving Copernicus right while disproving Aristotle’s physics. Galileo also created a foundation regarding gravity and the law of inertia. Next, we have one of the greatest minds of all time, Isaac Newton.
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At the young age of 24, he was able to approach new ideas of physics, but did not have the evidence yet to back them up. Age provided wisdom and increased knowledge for Newton and by 42 years of age, he had a handle on explaining the laws of physics using mathematics. In 1687, Newton proposed Principia which included laws of gravitation (554). In addition to advancements in science in physics, understanding of mathematics increased significantly during the Scientific Revolution.
Rene Descartes, a French philosopher, discovered a direct correlation between geometry and algebra (557). Descartes is also known for believing that all substances are either “mind” or “matter” (558). The experimental method using speculative reasoning was determined to be inefficient and an Englishman by the name of Francis Bacon proposed empiricism. This theory suggested that knowledge comes from experience. Later, an enlightenment writer, Pierre Bayle, proposed skepticism, which opened the doorway for questioning cultural norms, religious tolerances, and previous scientific truths.
The basic understanding of anatomy, medicine, and chemistry were challenged with the Scientific Revolution. Bodies were dissected and studied by Andreas Vesalius, alchemist Parcelsus introduced the use of chemicals as medicinal treatments and William Harvey gained an invaluable understanding of circulation of a human being (558). Chemistry experiments were a frequent of Robert Boyle who discovered ways to make a vacuum and studied the varied states of gases.
My initial impression of the Scientific Revolution was that the biblical understanding of God and creation would be challenged, but revolutionists initially celebrated God’s design in discovery. As their understanding grew, the concept of heliocentrism directly challenged these thoughts. Galileo was so worried about the planetary alignment with the sun, he held his peace regarding this discovery until he thought a sympathetic pope had taken office. Poor Galileo, his fears validated, ended up recanting his theory when he was put in prison (559). Despite the increased acceptance of learning and discovery, the religious leaders of the time wee quick to rebuke a new teaching that could disprove their biblical principles.
As knowledge increased, so did the community that pursued it. Societies were formed that discussed and shared information. As the interest in experiments and the discussion of experimental method spread through the societies, a new industry developed to create scientific tools. The philosophes eventually emerged as a group of intellectuals that pursued, discussed, and wrote about the latest discoveries and thoughts. They used any platform they could to showcase their opinions of government hypocrisies, outdated customs, and unfounded cultural beliefs.
Despite the momentum of advanced reasoning and theories of physics in the 17th and 18th centuries, many enlightened individuals still held onto some beliefs regarding magic and alchemy. The baron de Montesquieu wrote The Persian Letters in 1721, which blatantly attacked the authoritative rule Louis XIV. Another brave philosophe was Voltaire. Voltaire lacked tact and had to serve jail time for voicing his opinion on more than one occasion. Voltaire also was known for promoting scientific progress and religious freedoms of England.
Eventually, thoughts regarding human nature became the topic. The discussions of nature versus free will surfaced. Baruch Spinoza, Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz, and John Locke all challenged thought on the human mind and reasoning. A main theme was sensationalism, that human ideas and thoughts are produced from sensory impressions (563). 18th century’s David Hume and Adam Smith brought their own theories of human behavior to the table and promoted reasons for change in governmental hierarchies. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s theory in The Social Contract in 1762 approached the idea of individual freedoms but missed the mark in that it still allowed a minority to rule the people.
The age of enlightenment and the scientific revolution greatly influenced naval navigation and world exploration. Spain and soon other countries began collecting and observing the plants and species in new lands. Carl Linnaeus even created a system to classify organisms. As economic trade and expansion increased, literature and discoveries were sent to and from other regions. Through Lady Mary Wortley Montague, a new understanding of Ottoman society was recorded and shared. The colonies of the Americas caught wind of the ideas regarding government oppression and they began a revolution of their own.
