THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION AND
ENLIGHTENMENT
Logical Thinking
Spreads From
Science &
Natural Law
to
Society &
Politics
Key Ideas:
Reason

Predictable
Laws
lead to
progress
THE RENAISSANCE EMPHASIS ON THE VALUE OF SECULARISM &
HUMANISM AND REFORMATION SPIRIT OF INDIVIDUALS
CHALLENGING AUTHORITY ENCOURAGES MANY TO EXPLORE THE
NATURAL WORLD LEADING TO…
The “Scientific Revolution”
Between about 1500 and 1700, scientists, or “natural
philosophers” as they were called, developed a new worldview
that became the basis of modern scientific study. Planetary
motion, the composition and movement of matter on earth, the
biological systems of plants and animals all were the focus of
study during this period. Scientists began to envision a complex
universe which could best be understood through
experimentation and mathematics. These curious investigators
of nature organized into the scientific disciplines (physics,
chemistry, biology, etc.) we know today during this period known
by historians as the “scientific revolution”.
Watch first 10 Minutes of: Nova - Galileo's Battle for the
Heavens (PBS Documentary)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnEH9rbrIkk
Notebook Assignment #6: Scientific Revolution Documents
Who is the
author of the
document?
What is the author of the document basically
saying in your OWN words?
What is PURPOSE or POINT OF VIEW of
the documents author?
Document 1
Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish priest and astronomer, dedication to
Pope Paul III in the introduction of Copernicus’ book, On the
Revolution of the Heavenly Spheres, 1543.
The learned and unlearned alike may see that I shrink from no man’s
criticism. It is to your Holiness rather than to anyone else that I have
chosen to dedicate these studies of mine. In this remote corner of the
Earth in which I live, you are regarded as the most eminent by virtue of
the dignity of your Office, and because of your love of letters and science.
You, by your influence and judgment, can readily hold the slanderers
from biting. Mathematics are for mathematicians, and they, if I be not
wholly deceived, will hold that my labors contribute even to the wellbeing of the Church.
Who is the
author of the
document?
What is the author of the document basically
saying in your OWN words?
What is PURPOSE or POINT OF VIEW of
the documents author?
Document 2
John Calvin, French Protestant philosopher and writer,
Commentaries on the First Book of Moses, 1554.
Moses wrote in a popular style things which, without
instruction, all ordinary persons endowed with common
sense, are able to understand; but astronomers investigate
with great labor whatever the wisdom of the human mind can
comprehend. This study should not be prohibited, nor this
science condemned, because some frantic and ignorant
persons boldly reject whatever is unknown to them. For
astronomy is not only pleasant, but also very useful: it cannot
be denied that this art unfolds the admirable wisdom of God.
Who is the
author of the
document?
What is the author of the document basically
saying in your OWN words?
What is PURPOSE or POINT OF VIEW of
the documents author?
Document 3
Giovanni Ciampoli, Italian monk, letter to Galileo, 1615.
Your opinion of the phenomena of light and shade on the clear
and spotted surfaces of the Moon assumes some analogy
between the Earth and the Moon. Someone adds to this and
says you assume that the Moon is inhabited by humans. Then
another starts discussing how they could be descended from
Adam or how they could have gotten out of Noah’s ark, and
many other extravagant ideas that you never even dreamed of.
It is indispensable, therefore, to remove the possibility of
malignant rumors by repeatedly showing your willingness to
defer to the authority of those who have jurisdiction over the
human intellect in matters of the interpretation of Scripture.
Who is the
author of the
document?
What is the author of the document basically
saying in your OWN words?
What is PURPOSE or POINT OF VIEW of
the documents author?
Document 4
Francis Bacon, English natural philosopher, The Establishment of
Scientific Thinking, 1620.
Men have sought to make a world from their own conception and
to draw from their own minds all the material which they
employed, but if, instead of doing so, they had consulted
experience and observation, they would have the facts and not
opinions to reason about, and might have ultimately arrived at the
knowledge of the laws which govern the material world…
The great and powerful reason why the sciences have yet made little
progress [is it] not possible to run a race when the goal itself has not been
rightly chosen by [the church]. The true and lawful goal of the sciences is
this: that human life be endowed with new discoveries and powers. Yet,
the unknown is fearsome to those in power.
Who is the
author of the
document?
What is the author of the document basically
saying in your OWN words?
What is PURPOSE or POINT OF VIEW of
the documents author?
Document 5
The Papal Inquisition’s condemnation of Galileo, 1633
We say, pronounce, sentence, and declare that you the said Galileo, by reason of
the matters discussed in trial, and by your confession as you rendered, are in the
judgment of this Holy Office vehemently suspected of heresy, namely, of having
believed and held the doctrine-which is false and contrary to the sacred and
divine Scriptures--that the Sun is the center of the world and does not move from
east to west and that the Earth moves and is not the center of the world…
Furthermore, your opinion has been declared and defined to be contrary to the
Holy Scripture; and that consequently you have incurred all the censures and
penalties imposed and stated in the sacred laws of the Church, for [breaking] this
sacred law...
From which we are content that you be absolved, provided that, first, with a
sincere heart and unfeigned faith, you renounce, curse, and detest before us the
aforesaid errors and heresies and every other error and heresy contrary to the
Catholic Roman Church in the form to be prescribed by us for you.
Who is the
author of the
document?
What is the author of the document basically
saying in your OWN words?
What is PURPOSE or POINT OF VIEW of
the documents author?
Document 6
Thomas Hobbes, English philosopher in his book,
Leviathan, 1668.
The doctrine of what is right and wrong is perpetually
disputed both by the pen and by the sword, but geometry is
not. Why? Because in geometry few men care what the truth
may be, since it affects no one’s ambition, profit, or lust. But if
Euclid’s (Greek mathematician) proposition that the three
angles of a triangle are equal to the two angles of a square,
conflicted with the interests of those who rule, I know it would
be suppressed.
Who is the
author of the
document?
What is the author of the document basically
saying in your OWN words?
What is PURPOSE or POINT OF VIEW of
the documents author?
Document 7
Margaret Cavendish, English natural philosopher in her book,
Observations on Experimental Philosophy, 1666.
Were it allowable for our sex, I might set up my own school of natural
philosophy. But I, being a woman, I do fear they would soon cast me out
of their schools. For though the Muses, Graces, and Sciences* are all of
the female gender, yet they were more esteemed in former ages, than
they are now. Nay, could it be done handsomely, they would turn all from
females into males, so great has grown the current self-conceit of the
masculine and the disregard of the female sex.
*All represented as female goddesses in classical mythology
NB#6 - Scientific Revolution Documents Analysis
Why was challenging to be a scientifically
minded person during the 16th & 17th Centuries?
Use some specific examples from the documents
in your answer.
FROM SCIENCE TO PHILOSOPHY…
The Scientific Revolution and discovery of
natural laws prompted many who were not
scientists, but were philosophers and writers, to
wonder if they could apply the same ideas of
questioning and searching for natural laws to
SOCIETY and GOVERNMENT.
The ENLIGHTENMENT was a new intellectual
movement that stressed REASON and
QUESTIONING and the power of INDIVIDUALS
to make conclusions for themselves about
society and politics.
TIME FOR A SELF QUIZ: DO YOU AGREE WITH
THE ENLIGHTENMENT THINKERS?
Answer quiz questions to find out!
Number on scrap paper 1-12 and write
Agree
or
Disagree
As you read the following statements.
1. I believe that truth can only be discovered through reason logical
thinking – for example, the scientific method. Nothing should be
accepted on faith alone.
2. I believe that human nature is generally good and people are
reasonable.
3. Society and people are constantly improving and moving in a
good direction.
4. It is important that people are granted individual rights that the
government needs to protect.
5. I enjoy having intellectual conversations with other people about
the nature of life and society.
6. I believe that people are a clean slate when they are born and that
their experiences and education make them what they are.
7. If the government doesn’t protect your rights, you have the right to
overthrow it.
8. The best kind of government is one where there are separate
government bodies, like a congress and president, where each branch
can “check” the other.
9. Society is actually bad: people are born free with potential, but
society chains them down.
10. The best type of government is one that does what most of the
people want all of the time.
11. Rights for prisoners are important: torture should not be allowed
and the death penalty abolished.
12. Education, for both men and women, is one of the most important
things for human beings.
HOW TO SCORE YOUR QUIZ
If you answered I AGREE with questions 1 - 5 you are in line
with one of the most outspoken writers and thinkers of the
Enlightenment: Voltaire, a writer who influenced other
Enlightenment thinkers and leaders across Europe and
beyond.

If you answered I AGREE to #6 and #7, then you
agree with John Locke – optimist of the
Enlightenment who thought that people were a blank
slate when they were born and that education could
make society good.

He also had ideas about government that we use in
our constitution today.

If you answered I AGREE to #8 you got your ideas
from Baron de Montesquieu who believed in the
separation of powers, like our government today.
If you answered I AGREE to #9 and #10 then you identify
with Jean Jacques Rousseau – pessimist of the
Enlightenment. He believed society chains people down
and limits their freedom.
He did think, optimistically, the best society is one that
responds to the “general will” – what most people want.

If you AGREE with #11, you agree with Cesare Beccaria
who tried to limit the widespread torture that was acceptable
as punishment for crimes in the 1700s.

#12: ALL Enlightenment thinkers agreed in the need for
education, but some were against education for women.
Mary Wollstonecraft argued that the need to be educated
was important for men and women equally.
NB# 7: Intellectual Revolutions – Enlightenment Political Philosophers
Political Philosopher
John
Locke
Baron de
Montesquieu
Voltaire
Jean-Jacques
Rousseau
Mary
Wollstonecraft
Main Ideas of Some Quotes In Own Words
How Do These Ideas Show An “Intellectual Revolution”?
NB#7: Intellectual Revolutionaries - Enlightenment Political Philosophers
Main idea: The ideas of these Enlightenment (aka “The Age of Reason”)
political philosophers challenged traditional powers during the 17th & 18th Centuries.
Voltaire
Baron de Montesquieu
John Locke
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Mary Wollstonecraft
Directions
- Watch 6 Minute Enlightenment Intro Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7q5oT-X_PI
- Carefully read political philosophers Quotes
- Fill out “Political Philosophers” chart as directed for
Notebook Assignment #7
Watch Review videos below if you have time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP8k_f3PFq8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6_i0dInceg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drgsZc8Gjb8
John Locke (1632 - 1704)
All mankind ... being all equal and independent, no one ought to
harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.
The purpose of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and
enlarge freedom. For in all the states of created beings capable of
law, where there is no law, there is no freedom.
Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a
right to, but himself.
Government has no other end, but the preservation of property.
Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is
thinking that makes what we read ours.
Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)
The tyranny of a prince in an monarchy is not so dangerous to the public
welfare as the apathy of a citizen in a democracy.
To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.
Liberty is the right to do what the law permits.
In order to have liberty, it is requisite the government be so constituted as
one man need not be afraid of another. When the legislative and executive
powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates,
there can be no liberty.
Political liberty is to be found only in moderate governments; and even in
these it is not always found. It is there only when there is no abuse of
power: but constant experience shows us that every man invested with
power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.
To prevent this abuse, it is necessary, from the very nature of things, that
power should be a check to power.
Voltaire (1694-1778)
Stand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare the truth, that all
may share; be bold, proclaim it everywhere. They only live
who dare.
It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the
established authorities are wrong.
Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do
so, too.
Man is free at the moment he wishes to be.
Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy the
mad daughter of a wise mother. These mad daughters have
too long dominated the earth.
Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains … one who
believes himself the master of others is a greater slave than
they.
No man has any natural authority over his fellow men.
Force does not constitute right ... obedience is due only to
legitimate powers.
Free people, remember this: we may acquire liberty, but it is
never recovered if it is once lost.
We are born weak, we need strength; helpless, we need aid;
foolish, we need reason. All that we lack at birth, all that we
need when we come to man's estate, is the gift of education.
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797)
Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be
an end to blind obedience.
Taught from infancy that beauty is woman's scepter, the mind
shapes itself to the body, and roaming round its gilt cage,
only seeks to adorn its prison.
If women be educated for dependence; that is, to act
according to the will of another fallible being, and submit,
right or wrong, to power, where are we to stop?
Women ought to have representatives, instead of being
arbitrarily governed without any direct share by men.
The divine right of husbands, like the divine right of kings,
may, it is hoped, in this enlightened age, be questioned
without danger.