Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment and Technology
The Scientific Revolution
1543- Nicolas
Copernicus published De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium.
(heliocentric solar system)
Andreas Vesalius published Concerning the Structure of the Human
Body
(anatomy)
1605- Francis
Bacon published Advancement of Learning
1609- Johannes Kepler published Astronomia
Nova (elliptical orbits)
1610- Galileo Galilei published Sidereal Messenger (observations
with the telescope)
1628- William
Harvey published On the Motion of the Heart and Blood in Animals.
(circulation of blood)
1637- Rene
Descartes published Discourse on Method
1660- Robert
Boyle published New Experiments Physico-Mechanical
Touching the Spring of the Air. (laws of gases)
1662-Royal
Society of London founded.
1666- French
Academy of Science founded.
1677- Von
Leeuwenhoek used a microscope to discover male spermatoza.
1678- Huygens
proposed the wave theory of light.
1687- Newton
published Principia Mathematica (gravity,
natural laws)
1735- Linnaeus
published his Systema Naturae.
(taxonomy)
1789- Lavoisier published his treatise on chemistry. (modern theory of chemical
elements).
- The
Scientific Revolution ultimately cast aside traditional knowledge and the
tradition authorities associated with that knowledge across a broad front
of endeavors pertaining to the understanding of the natural world
(including its relationship to the supernatural or to the divine).
- New,
clearer lines drawn between science, magic and religion.
- The
Scientific Revolution helped create a mentality in Europe
which emphasized the value of human reason and the human senses as
instruments for the achievement of a full understanding of the natural world.
- As a
part of this world view came the development of a belief in mathematics,
experimentation and observation, and eventually a full-blown 'scientific
method.' This way of thinking led to a conviction that the physical
universe ran according to natural laws that were universally applicable,
consistent, and accessible to human reason.
The Enlightenment
1651- Hobbes' Leviathan
1688- Locke
published Of Civil Government: Two Treatises.
1697- Pierre Bayle published the Historical and Critical Dictionary.
1733- Voltaire
published Philosophical Letters on the English.
1748- Montesquieu
published The Spirit of the Laws.
1752-1780- Diderot's Encyclopedie published in thirty-five volumes.
1762- Rousseau
published The Social Contract.
1776- American Declaration
of Independence
Adam Smith wrote An Inquiry in the Nature
and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
1780-1790- The
Emperor Joseph II abolished serfdom, declared complete religious toleration for
Christians and Jews, and proposed a system of proportional taxation based on
income.
1794- Condorcet wrote Sketch for a Historical Picture of the
Progress of the Human Mind.
- Reason,
nature, happiness, progress and liberty were key concepts of the
Enlightenment.
- Enlightenment
writers were those who applied the principles and practices of the
Scientific Revolution to the examination of mankind and of human society.
If the natural world operated according to rationally determinable natural
laws, so too must human beings and human societies as part of the natural
world.
- Enlightenment
writers issued withering attacks on "irrational" institutions
and practices, as well as on the "superstitions" they associated
with much of conventional religion (especially Catholicism).
Technology
1500-1660
- Beginning
of the interaction between scientific theory and technological practice. Mercator (1594); mining technology; metallurgy;
optical lenses; ship building; gun powder technology.
1660-1789
- Holland
the leader in the 17th century. England
and France
in the 18th century. England
in the 19th century.
A
few Inventions of the period.
- Transportation- All-weather roads (raised grave, England,
18th century)
- Canal
locks (Italy,
17th century)
- Clocks Pendulum clocks (1695);
Marine Chronometer, 1763
- Thermometer: Italy,
1654; Fahrenheit (d. 1763)
- Armaments: muzzle-loading guns; earthwork
fortifications
- Steam
engine, 1706
- 1709,
coke used for smelting
- Textiles: Flying shuttle, 1733
Spinning Jenny, 1770
Spinning Mule, 1779
power loom,
1785