Chapter 16 Flashcards
Natural Philosophy
The study of the nature of the universe and its purpose. Encompassed what we call science today.
Copernician Hypothesis
The idea that only the sun was the center of the universe not the Earth.
Experimental Method
The only way to explore the universe through experiments.
Law of Inertia
Motion is the natural state of an object and that it keeps moving unless an outside force stops it.
Law of Universal Gravitation
Newton’s law that all objects are attracted to one another and that its force is proportional to the object’s matter and oppositely proportional to the distance between the objects.
Empiricism
Theory that inductive reasoning calls for experimenting and observation to gather evidence rather than guessing and speculation.
Cartesian Dualism
Descartes’s thought that reality could be reduced to mind and matter.
Enlightenment
An intellectual and cultural movement in the 17th century and the 18th century that introduced new views of the world by using progress, the scientific method, and reason.
Rationalism
Critical way of thinking in which everything was to be submitted to reason and not faith.
Philosophes
French intellectuals that said they were bringing knowledge to other humans during the Enlightenment.
Reading revolution
The transition from a society in Europe where there were only readings of religious texts to a society where literature was expanded and diverse.
Salon
Social gatherings of rich Parisians in their homes where philosophes discussed philosophy, science, and literature.
Rococo
Popular art style in 18th century Europe that consisted of pastels and portraits of lovers that had cupids hovering over them.
Public sphere
Where the public gathered to discuss important issues relating to politics, society and economics.
Enlightened Absolutism
Used to describe the rule of the 18th century monarchs who adopted Enlightenment ideas of tolerance, progress and rationalism without declaring their authority.
