Origins of Modern Science
What special factors help explain the birth of modern science in Europe?,
What was “revolutionary” about the Scientific Revolution?
Several unique factors contributed to the rise of modern science in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries:
- Intellectual Traditions and Universities – European universities provided a structured environment for scholarly inquiry, preserving and expanding on classical knowledge from Greek, Roman, and Islamic scholars.
- Renaissance Humanism – The Renaissance encouraged critical thinking, experimentation, and a revival of classical texts, fostering a spirit of inquiry that challenged traditional beliefs.
- The Printing Press – The invention of the printing press (c. 1440) by Johannes Gutenberg allowed scientific discoveries to spread rapidly, facilitating collaboration and debate.
What Made the Scientific Revolution “Revolutionary”?
The Scientific Revolution (16th–18th centuries) was groundbreaking because it fundamentally changed how people understood the natural world:
- Empirical Observation and Experimentation – Instead of relying on ancient texts or religious doctrine, scientists like Francis Bacon promoted the scientific method—systematic observation, hypothesis testing, and experimentation…
Several unique factors contributed to the rise of modern science in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries:
- Intellectual Traditions and Universities – European universities provided a structured environment for scholarly inquiry, preserving and expanding on classical knowledge from Greek, Roman, and Islamic scholars.
- Renaissance Humanism – The Renaissance encouraged critical thinking, experimentation, and a revival of classical texts, fostering a spirit of inquiry that challenged traditional beliefs.
- The Printing Press – The invention of the printing press (c. 1440) by Johannes Gutenberg allowed scientific discoveries to spread rapidly, facilitating collaboration and debate.
What Made the Scientific Revolution “Revolutionary”?
The Scientific Revolution (16th–18th centuries) was groundbreaking because it fundamentally changed how people understood the natural world:
- Empirical Observation and Experimentation – Instead of relying on ancient texts or religious doctrine, scientists like Francis Bacon promoted the scientific method—systematic observation, hypothesis testing, and experimentation…
Several unique factors contributed to the rise of modern science in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries:
- Intellectual Traditions and Universities – European universities provided a structured environment for scholarly inquiry, preserving and expanding on classical knowledge from Greek, Roman, and Islamic scholars.
- Renaissance Humanism – The Renaissance encouraged critical thinking, experimentation, and a revival of classical texts, fostering a spirit of inquiry that challenged traditional beliefs.
- The Printing Press – The invention of the printing press (c. 1440) by Johannes Gutenberg allowed scientific discoveries to spread rapidly, facilitating collaboration and debate.
