Unit 4 Lecture Questions Flashcards
Background of the Scientific Revolution
- MEDIEVAL UNDERSTANDING: Based on an unquestioning reading of Galen, Aristotle, the Bible and Church tradition. Observations that conflicted with these sources rationalized or thrown out. Earth is at the center of the universe and “heavens” are ethereal and move in unchanging circular patterns
- RENAISSANCE UNDERSTANDING: New Greek and Roman sources discovered that contradict Galen and Aristotle. People start to doubt Galen. New idea that human beings can use reason, mathematics, and observation to understand the world. New technologies: printing press, telescope, microscope
How did Copernicus, Brahe and Kepler argue against medieval understandings?
- Copernicus used observations and math to argue for heliocentric theory
- Brahe starts to doubt their ideas through his observations of planetary movement
- Kepler develops three laws of planetary motion that disprove Ptolemaic theories of unchanging circular orbits
What did Galileo observe?
- He observed that planets are not “ethereal” and are made of the same materials as Earth
- He found data that confirms Copernicus’ theories
What were Newton’s achievements?
- He invented calculus
2. He identified the three laws of motion
What were his three laws?
- Every object in a state of uniform motion will remain in that state of motion unless an external force acts on it
- Force equals mass times acceleration
- For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
What were two elements of mysticism?
Astrology and alchemy
Who was Paracelus?
1493-1541; He was a physician, alchemist and astronomer and he rejected medical theories of previous scientists like Galen
Who was Vesalius?
1514-1564; He improved the study of anatomy and used dissection as a form of observation
Who was Harvey?
He rejected the medical theory of Galen about blood flow and argued that it flowed it a circuit. He improved the study of physiology
Advances in chemistry
Boyle:
1. One of the first scientists to conduct controlled experiments
2. Studied gasses and develops view that matter is composed of different elements
Lavoisier:
1. Furthered the study of elements
2. His wife is a key partner and collaborator
What was a women’s role in science during this time?
- Some upper-class women had access to a humanist education, interesting them in science
- Some middle-class women could use their skills of observation and illustrations to contribute to science
- Many women were shut out of scientific studies, unless they worked with a man
What conclusion did Descartes come to?
- He arrived at the conclusion that because he can think, he is. He believed in Cartesian dualism because your identity rests in your mind
What were the two new scientific methods?
The first one was deductive reasoning (specific to general); the second one was inductive reasoning (general to specific)
What was the Enlightenment?
A 17th/18th century intellectual movement that applied the principles of the Scientific Revolution in order to promote societal progress
How was the Enlightenment related to the Scientific Revolution?
Belief that reasoning and observation could identify laws of human economic, social and political aspects and solve issues that are present
