Scientific Enlightenment vocab quiz Flashcards
Isaac Newton
proposed that law of universal gravitation regulates motions of bodies throughout the universe, could prove with math
Johannes Kepler
astronomer who showed planetary orbits are elliptical, helped to end idea of Ptolemaic universe
social contract
theory that people give up some of their freedoms to ruler in exchange for protection for their remaining rights
Galileo
astronomer who showed heavens weren’t a perfect realm; used telescope to see mountains on moon + spots on sun, saw unknown stars; contributed to understanding of terrestrial notion (velocity of falling body depends on height it falls from); anticipated law of inertia
The Scientific Revolution
a scientific revolution brought on by observation and mathematics; significance= scientists started favoring Copernican theory rather than Ptolemaic, didn’t follow MAC, relied on what they could see
Immanuel Kant
German philosopher who wrote an essay about the Enlightenment in which he said people became enlightened when you left your self-caused immaturity and stopped relying on guardians (MAC, RCC, old thinkers)
Nicolaus Copernicus
Polish scholar who disagreed w Ptolemy when published treatise that said earth along with other planets went around sun which made sense with observational theories
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
french writer who wanted to improve education by suggesting the individual should guide their own learning process
Ptolemy
Greek scholar who came up with idea that earth was motionless and surrounded by 9 spheres
heliocentric
theory created by Copernicus that claimed planets in universe revolved around the sun instead of earth; significance= went against Ptolemy’s idea and was more favored/believed
salon
gatherings organized by socially prominent women where philosophes, scientists, and intellectuals discussed the leading ideas of the day
philosophes
public intellectuals who advanced the cause of reason through novels, pamphlets, and dramas about religious/moral/political issues; were optimistic about future of world; wanted religious toleration and freedom to express views openly
John Locke
English philosopher who created theory that people only get ideas through living, and knowledge only comes from experience (senses/reflection); advocated for popular sovereignty; attacked divine right theories
The Enlightenment
cultural movement which weakened influence of organized religion because encouraged replacement of Christian values with reason; movement highlighted freedom, equality, secular values, reason, individuality, and natural laws
Voltaire
aka François-Marie Arouet, french writer who epitomized spirit of Enlightenment; attacked institutions that supported oppressive polices eg. RCC, french monarchy
