The Scientific Revolution & Enlightenment

1. The Scientific Revolution & Enlightenment

2. Do Now #20 • Why do you think that the period we are about to study could be called The Enlightenment? • Lucifer!?!?!!!! • How do you think the Renaissance helped lead to The Enlightenment?

3. Bullets & Discussion • Some believe that within the last decade we have experienced another scientific revolution. Both science and technology had rapidly increased and continue to do so. • We have invented machines and medicines to prolong life • We created weapons of mass destruction and lethal chemicals • We understand and can accomplish the cloning of animals. • Do you think that by doing this we have destroyed the natural cycle of life our planet is used to? Do you think we have interrupted Mother Nature’s plans? What are the positive and negative impacts of this?

4. The Scientific Revolution A New Way of Thinking • The Renaissance, a rebirth of learning and the arts, inspired a spirit of curiosity in many fields. Scholars began to question ideas that had been accepted for hundreds of years. • Meanwhile, the religious movement known as the Reformation prompted followers to challenge accepted ways of thinking about God and salvation. • Another revolution in European thought had begun, one that would permanently change how people viewed the physical world this became known as the Scientific Revolution.

5. A Revolutionary Model of the Universe The Medieval View • Most knowledge in Middle Ages comes from Bible, Greek/Roman sources. • Supportsgeocentric theory—moon, sun, planets revolve around earth. The Heliocentric Theory • Widely accepted geocentric theory challenged as inaccurate. • Nicolas Copernicus develops heliocentric theory—planets revolve around sun. • Later scientists mathematically prove Copernicus to be correct. Galileo’s Discoveries • Italian scientistGalileo Galilei makes key advances in astronomy - makes discovery about planet surfaces, supports heliocentric theory Conflict with the Church • Church attacks Galileo’s work, fears it will weaken people’s faith • Pope forces Galileo to declare his and other new findings are wrong

6. The Scientific Method A Logical Approach • Revolution in thinking leads to development ofscientific method: • series of steps for forming, testing scientific theories Bacon and Descartes • Thinkers Bacon and Descartes help to create scientific method • Bacon urges scientists to experiment before drawing conclusions •Descartes advocates using logic, math to reason out basic truths

7. Newton Explains the Law of Gravity Newton’s Theories • English scientist Isaac Newton develops theory of motion which states same forces rule motion of planets, matter in space, earth. • Motion in space, earth linked by the law of universal gravitation - holds that every object in universe attracts every other object. • Newton views universe as a vast, perfect mechanical clock.

8. 3 Theories of the Solar System (Formative)

9. The Renaissance prompted scholars and philosophers to reevaluate old notions about other aspects of society. They sought new insight into the underlying beliefs regarding government, religion, economics and education. Their efforts spurred the Enlightenment, a new intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of individuals to solve problems. • Enlightenment philosophers thought a lot about responsibilities of individuals and governments towards each other. • What types of responsibilities do you have as a citizen in today’s world?

10. The Enlightenment • In the wake of the Scientific Revolution, and the new ways of thinking it prompted, scholars and philosophers began to reevaluate old notions about other aspects of society. • They sought new insight into the underlying beliefs regarding government, religion, economics, and education. • Their efforts spurred the Enlightenment, a new intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of individuals to solve problems. • Known also as the Age of Reason, the movement reached its height in the mid-1700s and brought great change to many aspects of Western civilization.

11. Two Views on Government Locke’s Natural Rights • Philosopher John Locke says government gets power from the people • Stresses that people have a right to overthrow an unjust government Hobbes’s Social Contract • Hobbes distrusts humans, favors strong government to keep order • Promotessocial contract—getting order by giving power to monarch

12. The Philosophes Advocate Reason Beliefs of the Philosophes • Thephilosophes are French social critics in the mid-1700s • Value reason, nature, happiness, progress, liberty Voltaire Combats Intolerance •Voltaire—influential philosophe, pen name of François Marie Arouet • Publishes many works arguing for tolerance, reason Montesquieu and the Separation of Powers •Montesquieu—French writer who admires Britain’s government system • Favors separation of powers to keep one body from running government Rousseau: Champion of Freedom •Rousseau—philosophe who favors individual freedom, direct democracy • Views social contract as agreement by free people to form government Beccaria Promotes Criminal Justice • Italian philosopher Cesare Beccaria works to reform justice system • Calls for speedy trials, greater rights for criminal defendants

13. Women and the Enlightenment Views on Women’s Education Change • Many Enlightenment thinkers take traditional views of women’s role • Prominent writerMary Wollstonecraft urges greater rights for women: • argues women need quality education to be virtuous and useful • urges women to go into traditionally male professions like politics • Some wealthy women use their status to spread Enlightenment ideas

14. Legacy of the Enlightenment Role of the Philosophes • The philosophes are not activists, but inspire major revolutions Belief in Progress • Scientific breakthroughs show human capacity to improve society A More Secular Outlook • New knowledge of the world leads people to question religious ideas • Voltaire and others criticize beliefs and practices of Christianity Importance of the Individual • People place more emphasis on individual rights, abilities • Reason becomes a central concept for philosophers, rulers