REVOLUTIONS!

BY: XU CHENG YIN 303 (29)

DEFINITION

Essentially, revolution is all about...

CHANGE

INTRO: THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION

The scientific revolution is an era in the 16th-17th centuries during which new ideas

and knowledge in physics, astronomy and medicine transformed medieval views of

nature and laid the foundations for modern science.

For the next few pages, we will be looking into the various changes during this time.

HeliocentrismNicolaus Copernicus made use of the data from the classical knowledge to produce the new heliocentric theory, where the sun would be in the centre. The movement of the sun was now explained by the rotation and revolution of the earth. Although it was inaccurate to a certain extent, but the new theory was a major step towards truth and presented a new viewpoint for people to consider.

Middle AgesBefore the Scientific Revolution, church played a dominant role in people’s lives, exerting much control on the spread of knowledge. The only accepted knowledge was those that glorified God. Geocentrism-the motion of sun and planets around earth, was therefore considered truth since the circular movements of the heavily bodies seemed appropriate for the “perfect” universe created by God.

FROM GEOCENTRISM TO HELIOCENTRISM

RenaissanceThe revival of classical knowledge during Renaissance was important in developing the new theory. The voyages of discovery led to the rediscovery of classical knowledge by Aristarchus which focused on Sun-centered theory. This inspired Copernicus to come up with the heliocentric theory.

Impact and ChangeAlthough Galileo later rejected his ideas, but it caught up with the Age of Printing born during Renaissance which allowed a more efficient dissemination of information. The new theory managed to reach many people before being banned. Changes in mindset occurred because the break from the norm challenged people to think in new directions, and promoted the spirit of skepticism. Changes in the power of Church occurred because Church-endorsed theories were no longer treated as 100% true and were subjected to more challenge with rationality and reasoning. This led to a weakening of power of the Church as more people felt stronger about freedom of thinking. Changes in government body occurred as the new thinking resulted from the theory would secularize the government body, altering the political system and people’s ideological beliefs.

Heliocentrism After observing the night skies using a telescope, Galileo Gallilei went on to prove the heliocentric system with concrete mathematical formulae that proved to be more convincing and accurate. He then drafted a book, comparing the geocentric model and the heliocentric systems, and arguing in a witty manner to present the heliocentric model as superior.

FROM HELIOCENTRISM TO CONTROVERSY

Controversial TrialThe heliocentric theory was in direct opposition to the Church-sponsored geocentric system. It was unfortunate to have clashed with Reformation, where calls for reform of the Church increased. The Church, being pressured by the reformers to lessen its power, called for stricter crackdowns on anti-church materials. Therefore, Galileo was ultimately found guilty of heresy and defamation.

Change in Inquiry MethodThe emphasis on mathematical reasoning and observation of nature during Renaissance, and the new way of thinking introduced by heliocentrism played a key role in the new scientific method proposed by Francis Bacon. The Baconian method urged people to explain phenomena, not by having assumed principles, but through systemic experiments and close observations to produce practical results with mathematical data. This more accurate method changed the status of Church by diminishing the Church’s monopoly of power as an increasing number of people realised Man’s capability to reason and discover. Knowledge can now be discovered through scientific means.

Middle AgesScholasticism dominated the Middle Ages. As this intellectual thought was aimed at glorifying God, it knew which direction it was heading. Therefore, it promoted the proving of existing knowledge, not the discovery of new theories. Little emphasis was placed on experimentation and observation.

FROM SCHOLASTICISM TO BACONIAN

RenaissanceTechnical problems emerged during the voyages of discovery such as the method for supporting heavy weight on ships. In order to solve these problems, practical applications of knowledge were promoted by the combination of mechanical engineering from artisans and scientific theories from the intellects. Renaissance artisans’ desire to imitate nature led them to rely heavily on close observation which allowed for accurate drawings. Many new technologies such as machine guns were invented as a results.

Change of the Perception of UniverseIssac Newton made use of the Baconian method to discover the mechanical universe. With structured experiments aimed at studying the motion of objects, he came out with mathematical formulae to discover his famous Law of Universal Gravitation and the three laws of motion. These discoveries changed the perception of people. The universe was no longer governed by God, but by mechanical forces that Man could manipulate. The new laws changed the focus of thinkers to more practical areas instead of abstract thought, and would result in science emerging as an intellectual discipline.

FROM BACONIAN TO NEW KNOWLEDGE

Changes in the Medical FieldThe Baconian method also helped to advance medicinal science. Andreas Vesalius corrected the errors in human anatomy by Middle Age philosopher Galen using close observation skills on the human body. Likewise, William Harvey, a close friend of Bacon, pioneered the demonstration of the circulation of blood by experimentations on live creatures and quantifiable data. These medical breakthroughs resulted in better treatment of diseases and paved the way for future medical discoveries such as vaccination.

IN CONCLUSIONThe Scientific Revolution has caused a significant change in social, political and ideological aspects of a society due to the coincidence of people, ideas and circumstances.

Before During During During After (Changes)

People Ideas Circumstances

Geoocentrism

Church has a strong

control on people

-Copernicus

-Galileo

Heliocen

trism

-Rediscovery

of classical

knowledge

-Age of

Reformation

-Age of

Printing

-Changes in mindset.

People no longer treated

Church-endorsed

theories as facts,

approaching things with

more skeptical spirit

-Church’s power was

diminished because its

theories were subjected

to challenge

-There was a gradual shift

to secularism as people

began thinking of

alternative ways of

governance which

allowed for greater

freedom of expression

IN CONCLUSION

Before During During During After (Changes)

People Ideas Circumstanc

es

Scholasticism -Francis

Bacon

-Artisans

Baconian

Method

-Close

observation

-Math

Reasoning

-Voyage of

Discovery

-Changes in inquiry skill

that produced more

accurate work

-Changes in power of

Church since it no

longer had monopoly of

knowledge

-Led to more changes in

physics and medicine

“God-governed”

Universe

-Issac

Newton

-Francis

Bacon

-Gravity

-Laws of

Motion

-Baconian

Scientific

Method

-When new

thoughts

became

increasingly

accepted

-Changes in people’s

perception of universe as

it was proven to be

mechanical

-Changes in focus of

thinkers as they

examined more secular

areas

-Changes in people’s

perception of science as

science became more

highly-regarded and

scientific institutions

increased

Galen’s incorrect

assertions about human

anatomy and physiology

-Andreas

Vesalius

-William

Harvey

-Baconian

method

-Close

observation

-Skilled

drawings

-When

artisans

became

valued in

their ability

to draw

accurately

-Anatomical errors were

corrected by systematic

experiments

-More advanced

treatments for diseases

were invented

THE END