Scientific revolution

Scientific Revolution refers to the period in history from the 16th to the 18th century during which profound changes occurred in the way people viewed the world and how scientists understood it. This period is characterized by major advances in science that transformed the views of society about nature.

Background

The Scientific Revolution began in Europe during the Renaissance, a time when the recovery of ancient texts stimulated intellectual development. The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 also played a crucial role in spreading new ideas and scientific knowledge more quickly and widely.

Key Developments

During the Scientific Revolution, several key developments took place:

• The replacement of the Ptolemaic system (geocentric system) with the heliocentric model of Nicolaus Copernicus.
• The development of the telescope by Galileo Galilei, which allowed for the detailed observation of the heavens.
• The formulation of the laws of planetary motion by Johannes Kepler.
• The advancement of the scientific method, heavily influenced by Francis Bacon and René Descartes, emphasizing empirical evidence and rational thought.
• Isaac Newton's laws of motion and universal gravitation, which synthesized previous astronomical observations and theories.

Impact

The Scientific Revolution had a profound impact on the intellectual, philosophical, and religious landscape of the time. It challenged the traditional authority of the Church in explaining the natural world and promoted a view where nature was seen as a complex machine that could be understood through mathematics and empirical research.

Legacy

The legacy of the Scientific Revolution is seen in the Enlightenment and the modern scientific age. It laid the foundations for modern physics, chemistry, and biology, and altered the way humans perceive themselves and their place in the universe.

See also

• History of science
• Age of Enlightenment
• Renaissance