The Scientific Revolution 1500 1750 Before the Scientific

The Scientific Revolution 1500 -1750

Before the Scientific Revolution: • “Medieval” View: • Acceptance of superstitions • Belief in teachings of Aristotle • Catholic Church was the authority • “Believe what you are told”

Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC) • Greek philosopher/scientist • Beliefs: • Earth the center of the universe • 4 elements (fire, earth, water, wind) • Heavier objects fall at a faster rate • All his theories were eventually proven wrong!

After the Scientific Revolution: • Scientific method embraced • Knowledge based on experiments and observation • Emphasis on astronomy, physics and math • “Use your brain!”

Geocentric vs. Heliocentric Theory • Catalyst for Scientific Revolution • Geocentric Theory: • Earth (geo) the center of the universe • (Moon, planets and sun move in perfect circles around the earth) • Supported by the Catholic Church • (God had deliberately placed the earth at the center of the universe)

Do not write! Biblical Evidence: • 1 Chronicles 16: 30: – “the world is firmly established; it cannot be moved” • Psalm 104: 5 – “He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved” • Ecclesiastes 1: 5 – “The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises”

Heliocentric Theory • 1 st major challenge to scientific thinking • Sun (helio) the center of the universe • Observation of planets and stars • Supported by Copernicus (14731543) and later Galileo (1564 -1642) • Rejected by the Church

Copernicus and Galileo • Copernicus: • Polish astronomer • studied the motion of the sun, moon and planets for over 25 years • Book released in the year of his death banned by the Church • Galileo: • Italian scientist • Put on trial by Church for heliocentric beliefs • Found guilty • Died under house arrest • Finally pardoned by the Catholic Church in 1992!!!

Notable Contributors: • Newton (1642 -1727)3 laws of motion • Robert Boyle (16271691)- father of modern chemistry – There are more than 4 elements (and none are earth, wind, fire, water) • Galileo- telescope, law of the pendulum, law of falling objects

• Scientific Revolution will lead to Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions