Chapter 18- Toward A New World View - Chapter 18: Toward A...

Chapter 18:
Toward A New World
View
1)The Scientific Revolution
a)Modern science- precise knowledge of the physical
world based on the union of experimental
observations with sophisticated mathematics
b)Whereas science had been secondary and
subordinate in medieval intellectual life, it became
independent and even primary for many educated ppl
in 18
th
century
c)“Real origin both of the modern world and mentality”-
distinctive traits of Western society
d)Scientific Thought in 1500
i)In the early 1500s Eur. ideas about the universe
were based primarily of the ideas of Aristotle,
Greek philosopher of the 4
th
century BC
ii)Recovered thru Middle Ages and brought into harmony with
Christian doctrines
(1)Motionless earth was fixed at center of
universe, around it moved 10 separate
transparent crystal spheres, beyond 10
th
sphere
was heaven and God, angels kept the spheres
moving in perfect circles, consisted of 5
th
“essence”, distinction between he world of
celestial spheres and that of Ear.
(2)Sublunar world made up of 4 imperfect elements- light-fire
and light, heavy- earth and water. Objects moved at constant
speed, would stop when force removed

(3)Lasted for 2,000 years b/c understandable and
commonsense for what they saw, Aristotle’s
science fit neatly with Christian doctrines-
established humans at center of universe, home
for God and souls
iii)Science was primarily a branch of theology, and
it reinforced religious thought
e)The Copernican Hypothesis
i)Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1542)- as young man
studied church law and astronomy, saw how
astronomers depended on the work of Ptolemy, the
last great ancient astronomer, from the 2
nd
century
AD- allowed astrologers to track planets with
greater precision
(1)Felt Ptolemy’s rules were cumbersome,
inaccurate, detracted from the majesty of a
perfect creator
(2)Preferred old Greek idea discussed in
Renaissance Italy- the sun, rather than earth,
was the center of the universe
(3)Worked from 1506-1530 on theory in church
position, theorized stars and planets, including
earth, revolved around a fixed sun
(4)Did not publish on the Revolutions of the
Heavenly Spheres until 1453, the year of his
death for fear of ridicule by other astronomers
ii)Copernican hypothesis put the stars at rest,
apparent movement a result of earth’s rotation-
destroyed main reason for spheres capable of
moving stars
iii)Suggested universe of staggering size, and by
characterizing the earth as just another planet

destroyed Aristotelian idea that the earthly world
was quite different from the heavenly one
iv)Drew sharp attacks from religious leaders,
especially Protestants. Martin Luther said “Holy
Scripture tells Joshua bid the sun stand still and
not the earth”, Calvin opposed, not until 1616 did
Catholic church declare theory false
(1)Slow reaction reflected slow progress of theory
for many years, new star in 1572 and comet in
1577 contradicted crystal spheres
v)Tycho Brahe (1546-1601)- born into Danish noble
family, impressed by eclipse at young age,
established himself as Europe’s leading
astronomer