Scientific Revolution PDF

Scientific Revolution Science is as old as the world itself. No one can exactly identify when and where science began. From the beginning of time, science has existed. It is always interwoven with the society. So, how can science be defined? 1. Science as an idea: includes ideas, theories, a...

Scientific Revolution Science is as old as the world itself. No one can exactly identify when and where science began. From the beginning of time, science has existed. It is always interwoven with the society. So, how can science be defined? 1. Science as an idea: includes ideas, theories, and all available systematic explanations and observations about the natural and physical world. 2. Science as an intellectual activity: encompasses a systematic and practical study of the natural and physical world. This process of study involves systematic observation and experimentation. 3. Science as a body of knowledge: a subject or a discipline, a field of study, or a body of knowledge that deals with the process of learning about the natural and physical world. This is also referred to as school science. 4. Science as a personal and social activity: explains that science is both knowledge and activities done by human beings to develop better understanding of the world around them. It is a means to improve life and to survive in life. It is interwoven with people’s lives. MAIN PLAYERS IN SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION Man has embarked in scientific activities in order for him to know and understand everything around him. He has persistently observed and studied the natural and physical world in order to find meanings and seek answers to many questions. He has developed noble ideas, later known as philosophy, to provide alternative or possible explanations to certain phenomena. He also used religion to rationalize the origins of life and all life-less forms. The Idea of scientific revolution is claimed to have started in the early 16th century up to the 18th century in Europe, timely with the invention of the printing machine and the blooming intellectual activities done in various places of learning, and the growing number of scholars in various fields of human interests. It does not mean, however, that science is a foreign idea transported from other areas of the globe. History can tell that science, technology, medicine, and mathematics were used by all great civilizations of the ancient world with their own sophisticated traditions and activities related to these disciplines. Scientific revolution The period of enlightenment when the developments in the fields of mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology, and chemistry transformed the views of society about nature. The developments in these fields of science enabled the people to reflect, rethink, and reexamine their beliefs and their way of life. It ignited vast human interests to rethink how they do science and view scientific processes. The golden age for people committed to scholarly life in the sciences but was also a deeply trying moment for other scientific individuals to be led to their painful death or condemnation from the religious institutions who tried to preserve their faith, religion, and theological views. Some rulers and religious leaders did not accept many of the early works of scientists, but, these did not stop people especially scientists to satisfy their curiosity of the natural and physical world. Significantly developed human beings, transformed society, and influenced the formulation of scientific ideas. It significantly improved the conduct of scientific investigations, experiments, and observations.  Science Ideas SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION Humans Society Developed by Scientific Revolution Some Intellectuals and their Revolutionary Ideas The dominant theories and ideas during the scientific revolution were shaken and contested by the scientists who were driven by their curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity to explore the physical and natural world. The scientists’ love for science is driven by their deep passion to know and to discover. Scientists are not driven by clamor for honor and publicity. They are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Some scientists were never appreciated during their times, some were sentenced to death, while others were condemned by the church during their time. In spite of all the predicaments and challenges they experienced, they never stopped experimenting, theorizing, and discovering new knowledge and ideas. Notable scientists: These men, are particularly noted as examples that through their ideas, they had shaken the world, such as observing heavenly bodies or inviting people to test his ideas. 1. Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish Mathematician and Astronomer (1473-1543) His ideas were an example of what is presently called as a thought experiment. By the time he finished his doctorate degree, he was appointed as canon at Frombork Cathedral in Poland. Despite his duty as a canon, he had plenty of time to sustain his interest in astronomy. He was strongly influenced by a book entitled Epitome of the Almagest published in 1496 by a German author, Johannes Mueller (Regiomontanus). This book contains Mueller’s observations of the heavens and some commentary on earlier works especially that of Ptolemy. Nicolaus Copernicus is one of the renaissance men particularly in the field of science. He became known in science after some 1,500 years that knowledge about the nature of the universe had been essentially unchanged since the great days of Ancient Greece to the Renaissance. Greek ancient philosophers of thinkers who did not do anything extensive. Copernicus’s idea and model of the universe was essentially complete in the year 1510. Not long after that, he circulated a summary of his ideas to his few close friends in a manuscript called Commentariolus (Little Commentary). There was no proof that Copernicus was concerned about the risk of persecution by the Church if he published his ideas formally. Copernicus’ duty as a canon and a doctor affected his time to formally publish his work and advance his career in astronomy. The publication of his book De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres) in the year 1543 is often cited as the start of the scientific revolution. In his book, he wanted a model of the universe in which everything moved around a single center at unvarying rates. Copernicus placed the Sun to be the centerpiece of the universe. The Earth and all the planets are surrounding or orbiting the Sun each year. The Moon, however, would still be seen orbiting the Earth. Copernicus’s model of the Earth orbiting around the Sun automatically positioned the planets into a logical sequence. 2. Charles Darwin, English Naturalist, Geologist and Biologist (1809–1882) famous for his theory of evolution He changed our concept of the world’s creation and its evolution. He was described as a genius who came from a line of intellectually gifted and wealthy family. He developed his interest in natural history during his time as a student at Shrewsbury School. He would spend time taking long walks to observe his surroundings while collecting specimens and he pored over books in his father’s library. He went to the best schools but was observed to be a mediocre student. He struggled in his study in medicine and ministry, which his father had imposed to him. His life changed when one of his professors recommended him to join a five-year voyage through the HMS Beagle on the Islands of Galapagos. Darwin published his book The Origin of Species in the year 1859, which is considered as one of the most important works in scientific literature. He showed overwhelming evidences to substantiate his theory on how species evolved over time and presented traits and adaptation that differentiate species. His extraordinary observational skills as a scientist dealt on plants, animals, humans, and many other aspects of life. His book, The Descent of Man, was so impressive yet very controversial. He introduced the idea of all organic life, including human beings in a privileged position of having been created by God. Darwin’s theory of evolution scientifically questioned this view. Darwin made major contributions to two fields of science: evolutionary biology and philosophy of science. He was remarkable in his courage to challenge religious and unscientific ideas that are deemed to be prominent during those days. His unorthodox way of pursuing science gave more value to evidence-based science. Darwin provided a different framework for doing scientific activities - marked by observation and experiment. 3. Sigmund Freud, Austrian neurologist and Founder of Psychoanalysis (1856–1939) Freud (born as Sigismund Schlomo Freud) is a famous figure in the field of psychology. He was described as a towering literary figure and a very talented communicator who did his share to raise the consciousness of the civilized world in psychological matters. Freud made a significant contribution to science through the development of the method of psychoanalysis, to gather reliable data to study human’s inner life. Psychoanalysis is a scientific way to study the human mind and neurotic illness. Freud is not a traditional thinker. His method of psychoanalysis was proven to be effective in understanding some neurological conditions that were not understood by medicine at that time. His method was unorthodox- focusing on human sexuality and the evil nature of man. To some, they found his ideas not easy especially in his explanations of human sexuality. Freud was born in a much later period from the scientific revolution but his contribution to knowledge can be seen in many aspects that include art, literature, philosophy, politics, and psychotherapy. He was not just the Father of Psychoanalysis, but also one of cocaine’s leading medical advocates. His favorite test subject was himself.