We think of Isaac Newton, Einstein, and other renowned scientists who made their name during the era in which they lived when we hear about the scientific revolution. Although these great scientists were formidable and influential proponents of the scientific revolution, many more twists and turns are attached to this period of time than most people think. Before the scientific revolution occurred, almost all and sundry viewed the world in a pious, and not secular way. They viewed the world as a place ruled by God and His chosen people and that the natural order of things must be followed. This period of time was called the middle ages. After the middle ages came the age of Renaissance, which in one way or the other began the scientific revolution in that the desire to know more about mankind and its habitats actually started during the Renaissance period. Around the year 1550, the scientific revolution finally began, which has shaped and defined the world throughout the subsequent years till now, indicating its influence on every generation.
It all started when people in Western Europe decided to forgo their thoughts and beliefs and adopt new changes to institutional organizations and social structures. Nicolas Copernicus, a polish astronomer at that time was the main and earliest known proponent of the scientific revolution. His research on the revolution of the celestial spheres marked revolution. He proposed that the earth and the other planets revolve around the sun and not the other way round, which was the notion of most people at that time. He made this proposal around 1500, which was to be highly influential in the years to come. Tycho Brahe, Galileo Galilei, and Isaac Newton all played their parts in the scientific revolution. Tycho Brahe, a Danish Astronomer studied the sky with a telescope. He located craters and mountains on the moon. He also invented the thermometer and discovered how falling objects behaved. Isaac Newton, an English scientist, invented the Principia Mathematica which is a three-volume work on the foundations of Mathematics. He made theories that later became laws and also simplified the works and studies of most of the other scientists. He is also highly known for the invention of calculus.
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During the scientific revolution, numerous concepts were introduced to the natural world. Scientists came out with numerous theories and laws governing their surroundings. The scientific method, for example, began during the scientific revolution. People got to know more about their world. As outlined by an article on science buddies, the scientific method consists of five stages which include “Ask a Question, Do Background Research, Construct a Hypothesis, Test Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment, Analyze Data and Draw a Conclusion.”(sciencebuddies.org ). This era also sparked the age of reason, with Descartes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques sparking it. According to an article on sparks notes, the scientific revolution also brought advancement in Mathematics to a large extent.
The main condition necessary for the advancement of physics and astronomy that progressed during the Scientific Revolution was the advance of mathematics, which allowed the proof of abstract theories and provided a more logical method for attacking the Aristotelian system. During the late sixteenth century, a French lawyer, Francois Viete, was among the first to use letters to represent unknown quantities. In 1591 and after, he applied this algebraic method to geometry, laying the foundation for the invention of trigonometry. The Fleming Simon Stevin also worked with geometry during the late sixteenth century, applying it to the physics of incline planes and the hydrostatic surface tension of water. Additionally, he introduced the decimal system of representing fractions, an advance which greatly eased the task of calculation”.
Although many people supported and embraced the scientific revolution, there were some organizations who did all they could to halt and terminate the progress of the rambunctious scientists and innovators. The Catholic Church, in particular, was against the scientific revolution, as Ethan P notes on his blog “The Roman Catholic Church did not like the scientists because most of them were disagreeing with the churches’ teachings and most were charged, like Galileo who was charged with heresy.”(Social Studies Blog). The Catholic church also banned some of Copernicus’ books, as they considered it heretical, and also put Galileo under house address because of his notorious inquisition. They had to fight and navigate their way through many religious principles, which made them loathed by many conservatives of the middle age’s traditions at that time.
Although the revolution continued throughout the later years, the restrictions attached to it were to continue until the early 1700s, when a German philosopher called Immanuel Kent and other great intellectual leaders initiated the enlightenment. The enlightenment began when the scientific revolution ended in 1700. As noted in the world civilization book, intellectual figures during the eighteenth century wanted to parallel the achievements in the natural sciences with those in the social sciences, thus bringing forth the enlightenment. “Eighteenth-century intellectual leaders saw no reason why what had been done in the natural sciences could not be attempted in social sciences. They wanted to put history, politics, jurisprudence, and economics under the same logical lenses that had been applied to math and Physics. Spurred on by such hopes, the enlightenment was born.”(Adler,413). Immanuel Kent, along with intellectuals like Mary Wollstonecraft, Baron Montesquieu, and Adam Smith did marvelous works throughout the enlightenment, a period of time in which there was a transition from the old to the new world. Science replaced superstition and that was the beginning of the modern era. Mary Wollstonecraft wrote the classic Frankenstein horror novel. Baron is well-known for his famous Spirit of the Laws, perhaps the most influential book on government. Adam Smith wrote the Wealth of Nations as well as Laissez-faire, which has been influential in every generation since then.
The Scientific Revolution has impacted us today. Bacon's scientific method has helped make experiments more reliable. Cavendish and Maria Winklemann have encouraged many women to contribute to the field of science. Newton and Boyle's laws have helped to explain how our world and universe work, along with other works and laws influenced by other scientists. Descartes's work emphasized the importance of his own mind and that he could only be sure of his own existence (Spielvogel). The works of these men and women helped toward the development of technology and natural sciences today. Today, people are able to harness power from natural resources using the laws developed and tested during this time. Medical procedures are more effective today thanks to medical breakthroughs. Scientists have also paved the way to the rise of democracy by advocating the rights of individuals (Spielvogel). There are many impacts that the Scientific Revolution made to our day.”
Researching on this topic, I ascertained much novel information on the scientific revolution and enlightenment generation which really fascinated me. I got to know the ordeals Newton and the other great scientists went through to bring about change through the use of scientific knowledge. Today, their works have proved invaluable to the modern world. Their discoveries and theories have helped shape the world and bring balance in every aspect of our lives. I believe the benefits of the scientific revolution and its enlightenment have continued to evolve over the years, and there is no doubt that it will continue to do so throughout the coming years.
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