Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution - Report Example

Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution Enlightenment referred to the ability to reason and use of knowledge and available tools to solve current difficulties. The enlightenment movement was an age of reason when scholars began to question traditional practices and sought to have the freedom of opinion and expression. Scientific revolution was a period in history when mathematics, physics, astronomy and biology transformed the nature and social perceptions. This paper seeks to look into the impact of enlightenment on the scientific revolution. The middle ages saw the emergence of scholars who questioned the ideas that had always been accepted. People thought the globe was the midpoint of the cosmos (Bacon 1960). That meant that the moon, planets, and the sun revolved around the earth. Europeans used ideas based on the physical world while Romans and Greeks believed in the Bible. However, attitudes changed in the mid 1500. A spirit of curiosity gave rise to a scientific revolution (Burns 2003). Scholars were willing to question old ideas and the level of focus was improved with much observation. Europeans were leading in the exploration leading to discovery of new lands and the establishment of universities. Francis Bacon, an English writer, assisted in fostering this approach. He urged scientists to base their opinions on what they could see in the world (Bacon 1960). R. Descartes used mathematics and logic to exert his immense influence. In the mid 1600, Isaac Newton established the law of gravity. He used mathematics to show the law of gravity controlled the motion of the planets and objects on earth (Burns 2003). Paris became the European cultural center in 1700 (Oslar 2000) where people from the entire Europe gathered to new ideas about enlightenment. Marie Therese became popular for hosting and funding ideas on enlightenment. According to the letters by Isaac Newton, religion and uniqueness were necessary for innovation. In the letters, Newton said that the discovery came as a result of patient thought. The letters contained significant propositions but were imperfect in some parts. According to Isaac Newton, no matter how matter was scattered, it would be infinitely attracted towards the center (Hankins 1985). This meant that at the center there would have a particle that is attracted to all other particles at equal measure (Goodman 1973). This became known as a state of perfect equilibrium. According to the observations of the great instauration by Francis Bacon, human intellect is responsible for its own challenges and difficulties (Oslar 2000). Therefore, man should use the help at his disposal to address the difficulties that he faces. This exposed the levels of ignorance and the damage it causes to the quality of life. He argued that through human efforts and determination life can be restored to the perfect condition or reduced to better condition that it is now (Burns 2003). Mathematics and philosophy grew so rapidly that the two had to be separated (Sax 2001). The impact is still being felt today. Scientist came to know that observing and explaining would help them in discovering the natural laws. The scientific method became increasingly prominent (Portar 2001). The discovering had an impact on education in all levels. As more people trained in science and physics, technology advanced and new technologies were discovered. Enlightenment had unprecedented impact in the quality of life (Goodman 1973). Complicated farm machinery and textile industry were discovered causing scientific and the industrial revolution (Sax 2001). Scientific revolution sought a break from a religious and theological approach to life (Hankins 1985). In medieval times, society was largely governed by church views and traditions which discouraged open-mindedness (Oslar 2000). Enlightenment was a movement that challenged people to think and make independent decisions. Newton, Descartes and Priestly played a significant role in the discovery of sextants slide rule and thermometer among other things. Physics, anatomy, and mathematics were redefined into problem solving ventures (Oslar 2000). The ideas of the enlightenment were spread into the entire Europe through the home meeting and the publishing of the encyclopedia (Goodman 1973). The middle class embraced the ideas since they were becoming wealthy but had no political power. Enlightenment movement was of importance due to the influence of T. Hobbes and John Locke; both were English writers (Burns 2003). They argued that the government was indispensable for coexistence and that a social contract between people and the rulers was vital. This contract would guarantee people security and safety among other benefits while they gave up their rights to their government (Oslar 2000). Locke argued that all people were entitled to liberty, property, and life. The government was supposed to protect those rights (Hankins 1985). Many enlightenment thinkers and scholars held traditional opinions with regard to women’s role in society. They believed equal rights were for men and not for women. This triggered protests in female circles. The ideas of enlightenment strongly influenced both American and French revolutions towards the end of 1700. They provoked people to reason besides performing experiments (Burns 2003). This moved the theatre industry to new levels; artists worked to show elegance and skill in these fields. Musicians came up with lyrics of considerable appeal and creativity. Art was designed to appeal to feelings and thoughts through lengthy tales (Goodman 1973). Some enlightenment scholars believed monarchy was the best form of government. The shift in the way of thinking gave rise to scientific understanding and bold discoveries. N. Copernicus studied astronomy in early 1500s (Portar 2001). His study revolved around planets and stars. The conclusion was drawn that the earth and other planets revolve around the sun. He also concluded that the moon revolves around the earth. He published the results just before his death for fear of attack. Subsequently, J. Kepler confirmed Copernicus’s findings and conclusion mathematically in the early 1600. Enlightenment gave rise to scientists who were willing to break from ancient ideas and thinking. Galileo, an Italian scientist, developed the first telescope. He went ahead to use it in the study of planets (Hankins 1985). This lead to the discovery that Jupiter has moons and that the moon revolving around the earth was rough. These ideas were against the teachings of the church, so this lead to the scientific method approach after Galileo’s ideas spread. Under this new approach, scientists were required to ask questions arising from something they saw on earth (Burns 2003). Enlightenment made scientists develop new tools that were intended to make the study of the world easier (Portar 2001). This is how the microscope was developed to study objects too small for a naked eye (Sax 2001). The scientific discovery spread to the invention of tools for weather study. Doctors made drawings of different parts of the body (Portar 2001); they discovered how blood is pumped by the heart to all the body parts. E. Jenner used vaccination for the first time to prevent a disease in 1700 (Hankins 1985). He discovered that giving human body germs from cowpox which was a cattle disease caused people to develop resistance to the smallpox which was a serious human disease (Goodman 1973). Chemistry made substantial steps during the era of the enlightenment (Sax 2001). Scientists were able to separate oxygen from the air. This was a break from the previous notion that air, water, earth and fire made all things. In conclusion, enlightenment revolution was a pathway to fresh ideas from people who never had the freedom to air their views, especially when they were against the church or the cultural practices of the mediaeval times. The newly created freedom allowed scientists to make bold moves with regard to discovery and research. Enlightenment and the scientific revolution were closely related. Enlightenment brought a sense of responsibility and made people know that they had to look for solutions using the available resources (Portar 2001). Scientists learnt that they had to make explainable observations to lessen ambiguity. According to Francis Bacon, human intellect had its own challenges. He argued that people should reconstruct life into something meaningful. This entailed the use of aid and other available means. A reconstruction of arts and sciences was perceived to be a solid foundation, but it would have to be both sound and sober. Scholars continued to interrogate and question the traditional ideas and perceptions. This included seeking clarifications and understanding on the discoveries that were being made. The use of hypothesis became influential in developing solutions and conclusions. Thinking based on science and mathematics spread to Americas and the entire Europe and proved that scientific revolution is inconceivable without enlightenment. References Bacon, F., 1960. The New Organon and Related Writings. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Co. Inc. Burns, W., 2003. Science in the Enlightenment. 1st ed. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. Goodman, D. C., 1973. Four Letters from Sir Isaac Newton to Doctor Bentley. In: Science and Religious Belief: 1600–1900. 2nd ed. Bristol: John Wright & Sons. Hankins, T. L. 1985. Science and the Enlightenment. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Oslar, M., 2000. Rethinking the Scientific Revolution. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Portar, R., 2001. The Enlightenment. 2nd ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Sax, B. C., 2001. Western Civilization: From the scientific revolution to the present. 1st ed. Farmington Hills: Greenhaven Press. Read More