DECLINE CAUSES - Human Knowledge and Understanding Flashcards
Understanding EVIDENCE
Empirical thought - what does this mean?
The best evidence is information that’s observed & collected.
From that, you can do inductive reasoning.
Understanding EVIDENCE
Empirical thought - what is inductive reasoning?
Basing a conclusion off of evidence given.
Understanding EVIDENCE
Empirical thought - what book addressed empirical thought?
“The Advancement of Learning” by Frances Bacon, 1605
Understanding HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
Who was Rene Descartes?
A very religious mechanical philosopher who influenced the scientific revolution.
Understanding HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
Outline what Rene Descartes wrote.
2
The world & solar system are machines - everything in it has its own role.
The solar system can’t be influenced by God because its existence has already been decided so can’t be changed.
Understanding HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
How did Rene Descartes’ work link to witchcraft?
If God can’t change anything, neither can the Devil. Therefore, witchcraft cannot be real.
Understanding HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
What did Thomas Hobbes link?
How does this link to witchcraft?
Deductive reasoning and materialism.
Spirits cannot be real because they cannot be seen or touched.
Understanding HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
What is deductive reasoning?
What is materialism?
Applying a known rule to a preconceived theory.
Everything is made up of matter.
Understanding HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
What does John Locke argue?
2
Everything has secondary & primary characteristics.
Humans are born without knowledge learn from experiences. Therefore, knowledge isn’t always accurate & is too subjective to be trusted.
Understanding HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
What are primary and secondary characteristics?
Primary - what People can see
Secondary - what is Specific to us
The EFFECT of the ROYAL SOCIETY
What was Gresham college?
The early Royal Society, based in London.
The EFFECT of the ROYAL SOCIETY
Who went to Gresham college?
People who wanted to experiment & learn more of the world but did so secretly as the Church was too powerful.
The EFFECT of the ROYAL SOCIETY
What did Gresham college result in?
The formation of the Royal Society.
The EFFECT of the ROYAL SOCIETY
What was the position of Gresham college throughout the era of witchcraft?
In the background throughout early decline in witchcraft.
The EFFECT of the ROYAL SOCIETY
What did society look like when the Royal Society was created?
More politically stable climate.
The EFFECT of the ROYAL SOCIETY
When was the Royal Society formed and when was it’s first meeting?
Formed in 1660, first official meeting in 1662.
The EFFECT of the ROYAL SOCIETY
What was dicussed at the Royal Society?
Scientific matters ie bologists, botanists, mathematicians.
The EFFECT of the ROYAL SOCIETY
What is the Royal Society well known for?
Advocating for empirical evidence & ensuring everything they published was found using this.
Briefly explain the impact human knowledge and understanding had on the decline in witchcraft belief. (2)
Inspired thinkers & theologians to find different explanations of unnatural phenomena.
Cemented ideas in the intellectual consciousness that created doubt about spectral evidence
Understanding HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
Thomas Hobbes - Materialism in De Corpore & De Homine (1655-1658) CHANGED witchcraft belief:
________ people - _______________.
Explains why _____ declined after 16__ - ______ willing to be _______ with _______ by ________ accused. ____ acquitted in every ____ he presided over.
SIGNIFICANCE:
________ with others - new _____.
Revealed ______ of ideas - people _____ more ________.
a) influenced, Webster, Bekker & Holt
b) belief, 1660, judges, ‘activist’, scepticism, protecting, Holt, trial
c) resonated, ideas
d) strength, thought, rationally
Understanding HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
Thomas Hobbes & Materialism - De Corpore & De Homine (1655-1658) - how DIDN’T it change witchcraft belief?
(spirits)
What is the significance of the impact?
(religion)
Left open idea of spirits with material bodies too fine to be seen by humans.
SIGNIFICANCE:
Reveals strength of ideas - religion prominent in society.
Understanding HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
Frances Bacon ‘Proficience of Learning’ (1605) - how did it change witchcraft belief?
(implemented, thinking)
What is the significance of the impact?
(study)
His ideas implemented after 1640 - influenced TRS & used in different studies.
Changed influential people’s way of thinking.
SIGNIFICANCE:
Resonated - used in study of religion & philosophy.
Understanding HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
Frances Bacon ‘Proficience of Learning’ (1605) - how DIDN’T it change witchcraft belief?
(scientific, existence)
What is the significance of the impact?
(communities)
Empiricist approach didn’t deny magic & allowed it to be observed as part of scientific approach.
Early members of TRS used his methods to prove existence of witchcraft.
SIGNIFICANCE:
Heightened chance of trials - members of TRS had the power to influence communities.
What was the name of Frances Bacon’s book and when was it published?
Proficience and Advancement of Learning in 1605
What was the name of Thomas Hobbes’ books and when were they published?
De Corpore in 1655 & De Homine in 1658
What was the name of John Locke’s book and when was it published?
Essay Concerning Human Understanding in 1690
John Locke’s ‘Essay Concerning Human Understanding’ (1690) - it changed belief:
Made no _________ for _________ existence due to _______ & ________ approach.
______ can never be ______ as they’re _________ in _______ ways.
SIGNIFICANCE:
________ - ______ a new _______ on the ____ of __________.
a) allowances, supernatural, materialism, empiricist b) spirits, proved, perceived, difference
c) resonated, shaped, consensus, basis, knowledge
John Locke’s ‘Essay Concerning Human Understanding’ (1690) - it DIDN’T it change belief:
Didn’t deny _____, but said he hadn’t _________ them, so couldn’t _____ their ________.
SIGNIFICANCE:
No _________ of _____ - _________ not _______ until ____ - _____ slow to act on _______.
Changed _______ number of people’s _______ - still ________ belief: ______ in ____ & _________ in _____.
a) spirits, experienced, justify, existence
b) development, ideas, Witchcraft Act, repealed, 1736, elites, findings
c) limited, thinking, widespread, Salem, 1692, Jane Wenham, 1712
