Differences between the New Scientific Views of the World and Traditional Medieval Views - Essay Example

Essay Exam Questions Listing and analysing the differences between the new scientific views of the worldand traditional medieval views and how the standards for ascertaining the “truth” differ between these two perspectives. The new scientific view of the world was a result of the many inventions and discoveries in the seventeenth century in the areas of astronomy, physics and the natural science. The new scientific view was based on reality. What was logic, reasonable and could be explained in scientific terms. All scientists are involved in the same enterprise of trying to explain how the world works. They believe in the scientific process of observation, experimentation and the development and evaluation of explanatory theories (Sherman and Salisbury 440-460). Scientists often came up with different facts, conclusions and theories but when this happens, the process of science helps in resolving these differences. Science is therefore viewed as valuable as the scientific methods and the scientific community can resolve any differences and come to a generally accepted conclusion because the overarching commitment of science is to “the truth” about the natural world (Barret12). The medieval view of the world is based on old traditions and religious doctrines. Traditions defined people and their culture while religious doctrines defined the way people lived in the society. Christians sought to integrate traditions with religion and the result was one God, one church and one truth. These doctrines and traditions explained the world (Barret 12-13). The new scientific view seeks the absolute truth through scientific processes of observation and experimentation. It believes in the existence of fixed and unalterable facts and these can only be reached after detailed scientific investigation. The medieval standards adapted the truth to match their predetermined views. To them truth was based on tradition and religious views that defined what was true (Sweetman 33). How the Enlightenment ideas influenced the American Revolution and Constitution and How the Americans attempted to differ from earlier European attempts to incorporate Enlightenment ideals into political rule The ideas of enlightenment resulted in three things. First is that it led to the intellectual movement which spread from the Europeans to the Americans increasing the pace of the revolution; secondly it greatly impacted on the thinking of the American revolutionists as leaders could reason out on issues and ideas; third enlightenment ideas led to core beliefs that: truth can be found through reason, people can be happy in life, society can progress and that people can be free and be protected by the law (Sherman and Salisbury 300). The ideas influenced the constitution as different philosophers had different ideas that impacted positively on the constitution. John Locke for example with his ideas of natural rights that included life liberty and property were incorporated in the American constitution. A French philosopher, Baron de Montesquieu was behind the ideas of the separation of powers in governments something that is evident in the American constitution. Another French philosopher, Jean Jacques Rousseau propagated the ideas of general will and finally an Italian philosopher Cesare Bonesaba propagated ethical ideas and believed that the government must be able to pursue the greatest good for the majority of the people. All these influenced the development of the American constitution and the government (Israel 443). Actually the American Revolution was a protest against the English authority and this was as a result of the European attempted incorporation of its enlightenment ideas into political life of Americans. Though many of the leaders such as Jefferson supported some of the ideas as democracy and the rule of law, they rejected others as can be seen in the political systems established in America and in Europe (Staloff 432). Major causes of the French Revolution and What short term or long term factors were more significant for producing the revolution. Scholars agree that there are four major causes of the French revolution. First are the social, economic and psychological burdens of the wars experienced in the 18th century. France was bankrupt as a result of the enormous costs associated with the wars and its involvement in the American revolutionary war. The country had a huge debt which impacted negatively on the social lives of people. Furthermore the problem was worsened by the loss of French colonial possessions in American together with the rising dominance of the Great Britain. (Sherman and Salisbury 510) The second reason was the problem of hunger and malnutrition in a vast population of its citizenry. This was as a result of the rising bread prices and a number of years of poor grain harvests. The bad harvests were caused by extreme weather conditions and volcanic activity. This together with the rise in food prices, lacking transportation systems that did not permit shipment of food from rural to urban areas destabilized France leading to the revolution (Sherman and Salisbury 515). Third reason was the problem of the court at Versailles which was isolated and indifferent to the sufferings of the people of the lower classes. The King Louis XVI was indecisive and often known to back down under strong opposition. He tried to reduce government expenditures but his opponents continuously thwarted his efforts of enacting the much needed reforms. His opponents would also undermine his authority, distribute pamphlets criticizing his government thus in the end stirring public opinion (Lefebvre 10). Fourth was resentment and the need to follow the enlightenment ideals. Resentment of the royal absolutism, by peasants and labourers, the bourgeoisie, resentment in the church’s influence in public policy, desires to attain freedom of religion, economic, social and political equality and republicanism. People also hated the queen and branded her a spendthrift and a spy and the king’s decision to fire the finance minister also contributed greatly to the French revolution (Lefebvre 15). The court issue and the resentment were among the most significant short term factors that led to the revolution. The lower classes could not take it any longer because of the sufferings they were going through. Public opinion rose as concerning the government and failure of the king to initiate substantive reforms. Resentment in leadership, the church and the queen contributed more to the revolution as the people wanted better leadership, freedom and equality (Lefebvre 212). The three most important inventions of the industrial age and how they changed the production process In my opinion the significant inventions of the industrial age include the steam engine, the telegraph and electricity. The steam engine was perhaps the most important invention as concerns transportation. This meant that goods and people could be transported faster to places where they were required as compared to the people walking long distances to reach places of work or goods being carried by people to points of sale. The steam engine was not only used for transportation but also in industries for production of certain goods. Many engines of the time relied on wind, water or horse and man power to drive small machines. This was very hectic and consumed lots of time (Morris 53-56). The invention of the telegraph meant faster means of communication between far placed people. Traditional forms of communication were eradicated as they became obsolete as they were inefficient and even risky for use. Knowledge was easily spread with the telegraph leading to spread of ideas and ideology. The invention facilitated communication that was essential to the process of industrialization as many industries sought to communicate with one another, to seek raw materials and labour and the telegraph was very instrumental in the process (Goloboy and Mancall 34-36). The invention of the small machines made life even easier not only in the industries but also in the lives of people. Small machines such as digging hoes, water pumps, the textile machines, all these contributed positively to people’s lives. This meant that work could be done easier and faster instead of the manual way of doing things. The production process was greatly changed by these inventions. The steam engine increased efficiency in the production process. Many goods for example could be produced in less time. There was surplus as a result of this which had to be taken to other places. Transport was also easy as raw materials could be easily transported to facilitate production. The telegraph improved communication between buyers and sellers. Production was faster because information reached in good time as compared to earlier modes of communication. The small machines on the other hand improved day to day processes. Efficiency was achieved and more time was saved to engage in other ventures, increasing productivity of people (Morris 60). Ways in which the ideas and actions of liberals, nationalists, and socialists challenged conservatives between 1815 and 1850 The conservatisms continued to want to hold to their beliefs of the world. The aristocrats and traditional leaders were afraid of change and saw the only way to avoid this was through attempts to preserve their conservative world views. They were more concerned with the restoration of the traditional order especially in politics and governance. They liked the political and social order as it was and the changes would bring to and end their ideologies and disrupt the traditional order and thinking in the society (Sherman and Salisbury 600). This was evident during the French revolution sparked by the aspirations of the ideals of enlightenment. The enlightenment ideals proposed the changes to a society and forced the incorporation of democratic rights, equality and freedoms into political life. The conservatives saw these as a threat to their existence. Conservatives were keen on preserving the monarchies and traditional rulers but the liberals advocated for freedom and political reforms. They saw a free nation as one that respects the rights of the people and that power does not rest in a few in the society but is spread and everyone has equal chance of access to power. This threatened the conservatives at this time making them find ways and means of ensuring that the traditional order continues (Sherman and Salisbury 610). The nationalists just as the liberals wanted a sober nation, one with a common identity and with less societal stratifications. To them just as the liberals national liberation was paramount to the existence of a nation. This meant that political reforms and individual freedoms were required. Something also advocated by the liberals. The conservatives did not want this and saw these as the cause of the French revolution that aimed to remove their traditional and political thinking. To them the society was at peace in its present state and not the proposed reforms and changes proposed by the nationalists (Spielvogel 650-652). The socialists on the other hand preferred a world with less competition. One in which there was no inequality as a result of the class differences. A community was preferred as a better form of existence than individualism. The conservatives felt threatened because of their need to have class and to continue with the inequality in society characterised by stiff competition. This order of things was important to them as it defined their ideologies which the liberals, nationalists and socialists sort to abolish (Adler and Pouwels 471-473). Works Cited Adler, Philip J. and Randall L. Pouwels. World Civilizations: sinces 1500. New York: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print Barret, Peter. Science and theology since Copernicus: the search for understanding. New York: Continuum International Publishing, 2003. Print. Goloboy, Jennifer L. and Peter C. Mancall. Industrial revolution: people and perspectives. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, Inc, 2008. Print. Israel, Jonathan. Democratic enlightenment: Philosophy, Revolution and Human Rights. Oxford, NY: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print. Lefebvre, Georges. The French revolution: from its origins to 1973. London: Routledge, 2001. Morris, Neil. The Industrial Revolution. Chicago: Zak Books, 2010. Print. Sherman, Dennis and Joyce E. Salisbury. The World in the West. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010. Print. Spielvogel, Jackson J. Western Civilization: since 1789. New York: Cengage learning, 2011. Staloff, Darren. Hamilton, adams, Jefferson: The politics of Enlightenment and the American founding. New York: Straus, 2007. Print. Sweetman, Brendan. Religion and science: an Intriduction. New York: CIP group, 2009. Print. Read More