THE SCIENTIFIC

REVOLUTION
&
THE AGE OF
ENLIGHTENMENT
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Identify the different individuals

who were influential during the Age of
Enlightenment

• Describe the major turning events

during the Age of Enlightenment

• Relate the changes and events during

the Age of Enlightenment to the contemporary
modern world
 WHAT IS THE
SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION?
 The Scientific Revolution, spanning roughly from
1500 to 1700, marked a significant shift in how people
viewed the natural world. During this era, scientific
methods were evolving, guided by the belief that
advancing science would enhance our comprehension of
the world. This period served as a pivotal moment,
setting the stage for modern science.
 This transformative journey had its roots in the
work of Polish astronomer Nicolas Copernicus, who, in
1543, challenged the prevailing belief that the Earth
was the center of the universe. Instead, he proposed
that the Earth orbited the sun. Copernicus’s discovery,
while groundbreaking in cosmology, had broader
implications.
 Simultaneously, shifting attitudes were reshaping
religion, notably exemplified by Martin Luther and the
Diet of Worms, which had a profound impact on
Christianity, altering interpretations of the Bible.
 Adding to this dynamic era was a technical
revolution facilitated by the invention of the
Gutenberg Printing Press in the early 1400s,
democratizing access to knowledge and promoting debates
and discussions through printed materials
 This transformative
period involved numerous
influential figures from
across Europe, including
notable contributions from
the British Isles. One such
figure was Francis Bacon, an
English statesman and
philosopher, often called the
“father of empiricism.”
 He proposed rigorous experimentation to test and
challenge accepted knowledge, with the goal of
advancing humanity’s understanding of the universe. The
Baconian approach to knowledge emphasized the
importance of information exchange, state involvement,
and experimentation.
 Thomas Hobbes, influenced by
Bacon, proposed using science to
overcome natural flaws and material
challenges. Prominent figures like
William Gilbert and John Flamsteed,
who worked closely with the royal
court, made significant
contributions to science,
particularly in the fields of
magnetism and astronomy.
 By 1660, a widespread interest in the sciences and
technology emerged, leading to the institutionalization
of science with the establishment of the Royal Society.
 Despite societal unrest and the English Civil War
from 1642 to 1649, scientific progress continued to
thrive. Both sides of the conflict recognized the
potential of science and technology for economic,
social, and political advancement.
 In the realm of biology, William Harvey's
groundbreaking work in the early 17th century explained
how blood circulates through the body, and this
discovery greatly impacted the future of medicine.
 Isaac Newton, who served as the President of the
Royal Society in 1703, is well-known for his
groundbreaking work in "Mathematical Principles of
Natural Philosophy," which laid the foundation for
classical mechanics and revolutionized science.
 Over the preceding two centuries, European thinking
underwent transformations not only in science but also
in politics, philosophy, religion, and communication.
This era became known as the Age of Reason or
Enlightenment.
 WHAT IS
THE ENLIGHTENMENT?
 the Scientific Revolution was primarily concerned
with advances in science and changes in our
understanding of the natural world, while the Age of
Enlightenment had a broader focus on reason,
philosophy, politics, ethics, and social reform.
The 7 Main Contributions of the
Age of Enlightenment to Society
ARTS

It sought to find a meaning to humanity beyond

existing for divinities. This phenomenon is
observable in early eighteenth-century painting,
where the Rococo, a French artistic movement,
centered on man and his worldly activities as the
main object.
PHILOSOPHY
• The two main currents of thought in this era were
Empiricism and Rationalism.
• Empiricism is the belief that ideas and knowledge are
formed through experiences and sensations.
POLICY
• In this period, two great thinkers laid the foundations for
modern democracy as we know it today.
• Thomas Hobbes with his work Leviathan (1651), and
John Locke with his Two Treaties on Civil Government (1690)
criticized the divine appointment of monarchs and their duties
to the people they ruled.
ASTRONOMY

• The most prolific stage of the father of astronomy,

Galileo Galilei, to whom is attributed the simple description
on the movements of the celestial bodies.
• It was through his observation that data were known as
the orbits of some planets and details about the relief of the
moon and sunspots.
PHYSICS

• Isaac Newton made pioneering contributions to physics and he

developed the foundation of the now called Isaac Newton's laws of
gravity.
MATHEMATICS
• One of the most Prominent mathematicians of the time
was Blaise Pascal.
• He focused on geometry and its uses. It is attributed the
triangle of Pascal, a triangular figure that accommodates
binomial coefficients
RELIGION

• Religion was perhaps the most affected concept in this

period.
• After a long dark for the sciences and a stage of stagnation,
the religion would return the influences of all these currents to
advance with the same direction of the humanity.
• Creed and church and state were separated, which
considerably reduced wars due to religious differences.
• Creation of libraries and universities where knowledge was
freely shared, as well as the opening of museums and centers of
culture, since art and the divine now became the property of man.
 How Did the
Enlightenment Spread?
ENLIGHTENMENT SPREAD
• The Enlightenment, which began in Europe during the 18th
century, gradually spread to other parts of the globe through various
mechanisms and influences.

• 1. COLONIAL EXPANSION: European colonial empires played a

significant role in spreading Enlightenment ideas to their colonies.
European settlers, traders, and missionaries introduced
Enlightenment philosophies to regions in the Americas, Africa, Asia,
and the Pacific
• 2. Print Culture: The Enlightenment coincided with the rise of print
culture. Books, pamphlets, and newspapers became increasingly
accessible and affordable. European Enlightenment works were
translated into various languages and distributed globally, allowing
people in different regions to access and engage with Enlightenment
ideas.
• 3. Educational Institutions: European-style educational institutions,
including universities and schools, were established in colonial
territories. These institutions often taught Enlightenment principles
and philosophies, exposing students to these ideas.
• 4. Communication Networks: The spread of Enlightenment ideas
was facilitated by improved communication networks, including
postal services and the development of print media. This allowed for
the exchange of ideas between different regions.
• 5. Enlightened Rulers: Some colonial rulers and local elites were
influenced by Enlightenment ideas and implemented reforms based
on Enlightenment principles in their territories. For example,
enlightened despots like Catherine the Great of Russia and Joseph II
of Austria implemented reforms inspired by Enlightenment ideals.
• 6. Trade and Cultural Exchange: Global trade networks and cultural
exchange played a role in the dissemination of Enlightenment ideas.
Merchants, travelers, and diplomats often carried Enlightenment
literature and discussions with them, contributing to cross-cultural
exchanges.
• 7. Philosophical Societies: Enlightenment-inspired philosophical
societies and discussion groups were established in various regions,
fostering intellectual exchange and the spread of Enlightenment
thought.
• 8. Revolutionary Movements: Enlightenment ideas about liberty,
equality, and human rights were influential in many revolutionary
movements outside of Europe. The American Revolution, for
example, drew heavily on Enlightenment principles in its pursuit of
independence.
• 9. Local Adaptation: In many regions, Enlightenment ideas were
adapted and integrated into local cultural and political contexts. They
sometimes merged with existing philosophical and religious
traditions.
• 10. Resistance Movements: Enlightenment ideas about human rights
and the rejection of tyranny inspired resistance movements against
colonial rule and oppression in various parts of the world.
• Here are some important chronological events during this spread:
• 18th Century:
• 1730s-1740s: Enlightenment ideas begin to spread to the American colonies,
setting the intellectual stage for the American Revolution.
• 1750s-1760s: Enlightenment ideas, particularly those of thinkers like
Montesquieu and Voltaire, influence political thought in France, contributing to
the intellectual climate that would eventually lead to the French Revolution.
• 1760s-1770s: Enlightenment ideas reach Russia, where Catherine the Great
implements a series of reforms influenced by Enlightenment principles.
• Late 18th Century:
• 1770s-1780s: Enlightenment ideas take root in Spanish America, contributing to
the intellectual foundations of the Latin American independence movements.
QUIZ
• 1. He is an English statesman and philosopher, often called the
“Father of Empiricism".

• A. William Gilbert
• B. John Flamsteed
• C. Albert Einstein
• D. Francis Bacon
• 2. Which of the following is not true about the Scientific Revolution?

• A. This period served as a pivotal moment, setting the stage for

modern science.
• B. Scientific methods were evolving, guided by the belief that
advancing science would enhance our comprehension of the world.
• C. A. It marked an insignificant shift in how people viewed the natural
world.
• D. It raised questions not only in the realm of science but also
challenged societal norms and religious beliefs.
• 3. Europe's Age of Enlightenment was also called what?

• A. Age of Light
• B. Age of Reason
• C. Age of Wisdom
• D. Age of Philosophy
• 4. Which of the following definitions of Enlightenment is not
accurate?

• A. It is defined as the period of rigorous scientific, political and

philosophical discourse
• B. It is characterized European society during the ‘long’ 19th century.
• C. It is a cultural and intellectual movement
• D. It challenged the old order of religion, monarchy, and tradition
• 5. He is one of the debatable founders of calculus?
• a. Isaac Newton
• b. Thomas Hobbes
• c. Nicolas Copernicus
• d. Johnny Cage
• 6. He was influenced by Bacon, proposed using science to overcome
natural flaws and material challenges. Prominent figures like William
Gilbert and John Flamsteed, who worked closely with the royal court,
made significant contributions to science, particularly in the fields of
magnetism and astronomy.

• A.THOMAS HOBES
• B. DAVID HUME
• C.GEORGE BERKELEY
• D.JOHN LOCKE
• 7. Which of the following best describes the idea of Secularism?

• A. Kings claim the loyalty of their subjects by force.

• B. God gave His powers to kings, who commanded their subjects in
His name.
• C. Exposing the relationship between sacred and profane power.
• D. It is the argument through sectarian bloodshed that states should
not have any influence in religious affairs and vice versa.
• 8. Proposed the Heliocentric Model
• a. Nicolas Copernicus
• b. Naycolas Coppernicus
• c..Niculas Silvercus
• d. Nikola Tesla
• 9.What mechanism and influences in the making of Books,
pamphlets, and newspapers became increasingly accessible and
affordable accross Europe?

• A. Educational Institution
• B. Print Culture
• C. Communication Netwoks
• D. Enlightenment Rulers
• 10. What year does scientific revolution mark as significant shift on
how people view the natural world
• . a. 1800-1900
• b.1500-1700
• c. 1600-1900
• d.1200-1300
 Over the preceding two centuries, European thinking
underwent transformations not only in science but also
in politics, philosophy, religion, and communication.
This era became known as the Age of Reason or
Enlightenment.
 Over the preceding two centuries, European thinking
underwent transformations not only in science but also
in politics, philosophy, religion, and communication.
This era became known as the Age of Reason or
Enlightenment.
 Over the preceding two centuries, European thinking
underwent transformations not only in science but also
in politics, philosophy, religion, and communication.
This era became known as the Age of Reason or
Enlightenment.
 Over the preceding two centuries, European thinking
underwent transformations not only in science but also
in politics, philosophy, religion, and communication.
This era became known as the Age of Reason or
Enlightenment.
 Over the preceding two centuries, European thinking
underwent transformations not only in science but also
in politics, philosophy, religion, and communication.
This era became known as the Age of Reason or
Enlightenment.
 Over the preceding two centuries, European thinking
underwent transformations not only in science but also
in politics, philosophy, religion, and communication.
This era became known as the Age of Reason or
Enlightenment.
 WHAT IS
ENLIGHTENMENT?
 WHAT IS
ENLIGHTENMENT?