Scientific Revolution: 1500-1700 A.D. the Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 1348 words ( 4 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1+

Page 1 of 4

' His ground-breaking "Principia Mathematica" published in 1687 argued that the universe could be explained completely through the use of Mathematics without resorting to theology or the scriptures; that the universe behaved in an entirely rational and predictable way explainable by the laws of physics. Newton thus argued, and proved his arguments by observation and the use of mathematics, that the universe was 'mechanistic' and behaved like a vast machine with interacting objects whose behavior followed the laws of motion. (Hooker, para on Isaac Newton)

Importance of the Scientific Revolution

The success of the scientific developments during the 'Scientific Revolution,' particularly the works of Isaac Newton convinced more and more people that if the universe could be understood rationally, then so could other aspects of human knowledge such as economics, history, politics, and ethics. It was only logical to assume that if economics, history, politics, and ethics were a mechanical phenomenon like the universe, they could be engineered and improved. This realization gave rise to the most dynamic era in human history which became known as the Age of Enlightenment -- an era whose repercussions are still being felt by the Western society. (Ibid)

Although Newton and most other scientists of the era were devout Christians, the assertion that most things in the world could be explained without resorting to religion, opened the floodgates of 'secular' knowledge.

Stuck Writing Your "Scientific Revolution: 1500-1700 A.D. The" Term Paper?

View All Our Example Scientific Revolution: 1500-1700 A.D. the Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

The realization that human beings had the power to discern truth through reasoning led to an unprecedented exploration in all fields of human endeavor and underlined the power of rationalism and individualism. Philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes and John Locke propounded theories about the best forms of government that inspired the American and French Revolutions in the eighteenth century. Others such as the French philosopher Voltaire emphasized the power of reason and sought to discover the natural laws governing human society. The application of the scientific principles developed during the 'Scientific Revolution' to technology ultimately led to the Industrial Revolution that continues to this day in some parts of the world and which has transformed the way in which people live. ("The Age of Enlightenment.")

Conclusion

Out of all the developments that took place during 1500 to 1700 a.D. In the Western Civilization, the 'Scientific Revolution' had the most wide-ranging and long lasting impact. The scientific discoveries and theories such as the ones made by Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton during the period were important enough. The rationalism and the power of reasoning stimulated by the Scientific Revolution, which spread to almost every area of human knowledge in due course, were even more important and are mainly responsible for the current level of human development.

Works.....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Scientific Revolution 1500-1700 A D The" (2004, November 17) Retrieved June 1, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/scientific-revolution-1500-1700-d-59923

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Scientific Revolution 1500-1700 A D The" 17 November 2004. Web.1 June. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/scientific-revolution-1500-1700-d-59923>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Scientific Revolution 1500-1700 A D The", 17 November 2004, Accessed.1 June. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/scientific-revolution-1500-1700-d-59923
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example