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HPS > Early Modern Natural Philosophy > Flashcards

Early Modern Natural Philosophy Flashcards

1
Q

What was natural philosophers’ main motivation early-on?

A

To understand the wonder of God’s creation

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2
Q

What was the role of the sciences in 14th c. europe?

A

Preparation for study of the bible

Maths was essential for completely understanding the scriptures

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3
Q

Only form of education in 1st century

A

Monastery/cathedral schools

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4
Q

Bacon dates

A

1561-1626

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5
Q

Bacon believed

A

‘god had revealed the mysteries of nature to the Jews and to Aristotle’
The role of Natural Philosophers to rediscover it/fulfil the biblical prophecy

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6
Q

State of science up to 17th c.

A

a variety of ‘cultural practices’ which used different methods and different aims

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7
Q

Basis of natural philosophy early on (incl. 16th c.)

A

based on views and practices of Aristotle

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8
Q

Aristotle’s views on the universe

A

the heavens (beyond the moon) had no change or imperfections, were different to earth

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9
Q

How Galileo challenged aristotelian views

A

Sun had blemishes so not perfect
Championed observation and mathematical reasoning
Earthly observations can be used to model things in the heavens

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10
Q

Galileo dates

A

1565-1642

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11
Q

Who introduced heliocentrism

A

Copernicus (1473-1543)

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12
Q

Issue with heliocentrism

A

Universe not centred round earth, so humans are not singled out as inferior beings with limited capacity for knowledge

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13
Q

Philosophy in 17th century

A

Basically any kind of knowledge

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14
Q

Descartes opinions on humans and nature

A

Everything that is man-made acts/is the same as what is seen in nature
Eg nature works like a clock, made by a higher being (clockmaker)= mechanical philosophy

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15
Q

Issue with descarte’s thinking

A

Was still just concepts rather than solid explainations

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16
Q

Good things about descarte’s ideas

A

Laid foundations for how to do science- find rules that make nature work
Now possible to find out everything

17
Q

Role of religion in 17th c.

A

Still very much in control

Making God “less powerful” now encourages magical beliefs and practices= frowned upon

18
Q

Descartes dates

A

1596-1650

19
Q

Impact of Descartes & Newton

A

Natural Philosophers stopped worrying about how to do it- mechanical and mathematical philosophy work, so everyone just did that

20
Q

Newton’s motivation

A

Religious- to solve the ‘cryptogram set by the almighty’

21
Q

Role of increased exploration in 15th & 16th c.s

A

People realised the world was large and mostly unknown (unrelated to philosophy)
Expanded people’s mental horizons too

22
Q

Newton dates

A

1643-1727

23
Q

Royal Society founded

A

1660

24
Q

Aristotelian principles

A

experience-based knowledge

induction!

25
Q

Method of natural philosophers in 16th c.

A

observation, contemplation, explaination

26
Q

Averroes

A

Arab Philosopher, 12th c,
looked at aristotle outside religious context
People in Paris copied in 13th c., in Padua in 16th c.

27
Q

Thomas Aquinas opinion of natural philosophy

A

a ‘handmaiden’ to theology

28
Q

Main subjects studied in universities (middle ages-15/16th c.)

A

Liberal arts= philosophy (natural philosophy included)

Then specialise in Medicine, law or theology

29
Q

Mathematical subjects in early universities

A

not called natural philosophy- only described things, NP explains why

30
Q

della Mirandola

A

late 15th c.
wanted to achieve operational control over nature= magic
using knowledge for practical purposes

31
Q

Natural philosopher’s views on ancient philosphers

A

Much more advanced, should be modelled

Descartes thought Greeks had used algebra

32
Q

Science vs Natural Philsophy

A
  • Science can be shown to be true (interrogate things further), NP is a suggestion (hypothetical)
  • science more practical-
  • increased importance and integration of maths
  • science is working towards a goal

HPS (6 decks)

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