After
the reading quiz on the Enlightenment, we'll turn our attention to this
events referred to as the "Scientific Revolution." At the close
yesterday, I mentioned that not everyone agrees that is an appropriate
term. I gave you a handout to read for today, and you were asked to
consider this question:
Should the term "Scientific Revolution" be replaced by the term "Scientific Evolution" to best explain the development of modern science?
Related questions:
HOMEWORK for tomorrow - Friday, November 12th:
Should the term "Scientific Revolution" be replaced by the term "Scientific Evolution" to best explain the development of modern science?
Related questions:
- Have the contributions of non-European Afroeurasians been given too little credit for advancements in science? If so, was this lack of credit intentional? Why or why not?
- Do we pay too little attention to the scholars of the medieval period? Why or why not?
- Is there a European bias in the history of science? Why or why not?
We'll listen to some preliminary comments here, and then we'll dig a little deeper into the subject.
"Experiments" in the history of science: We're
going to have you work in groups on a series of tasks here. Please work
in groups of at least three and no more than five. I'd recommend everyone
take some notes, or get a copy of the group's notes. I will expect each
group to give/email me a copy of your notes.
First,
I want your group to think about just what science is. Assume that you
are going to be talking to my older daughter's second grade class. If you
had two minutes, what would you tell them science "is"? Make some notes
and be prepared to share them with the big group.
Second,
I want you to think about what it is that separates "science" from "not
science." Do some brainstorming here. It might help you to think in
terms of some of the following:
- subject matter
- theory and hypothesis
- methods of observation and/or investigation
Third,
considering what you know about history, I want you to think about the
historical conditions and events that you believe would either promote
or hinder the development and spread of science. (Some categories of
events and/or conditions might include: political, social, economic,
religious, technological, intellectual conditions, etc.)
Fourth,
you'll look at some documents in "Was There Science Before the
Scientific Revolution?" You'll get a collection of documents spanning
the time from the 10th to the 14th centuries. They are from a variety
of Islamic and European authors.
As you take a look at these documents, consider the following:
- What kinds of support and/or evidence are used by the authors to support their conclusions?
- Based on the documents, what would you consider to the 3-5 most distinctive characteristics of the science of the medieval period?
- If you were to award a Nobel Prize to the "Outstanding Medieval Scientist," whom would you select? Why?
Fifth,
you'll look at a parallel set of documents from the 16th-18th centuries
in "Science Comes of Age: Was It a Revolution?" These are from European
sources.
As you take a look at these documents, consider the following:
- What kinds of support and/or evidence are used by the authors to support their conclusions? In what ways is this different from the medieval period?
- Based on the documents, what would you consider to the 3-5 most distinctive characteristics of the science of 16th-18th Century Europe?
- If you were to this time award a Nobel Prize to the "Scientist Who Best Represents the Ideals of Modern Science," whom would you select? Why?
As we return to the big group, we'll discuss what you've found, as well as return to that question with which we began the hour.
Galileo Galilei - A Case Study: As you read, Galileo's observations published in Starry Messenger seemed
to refute the theories of Aristotle while confirming the theories of
Copernicus. The Catholic Church, defending Ptolemy's view of a
geocentric system, warned Galileo not to continue these studies. In
1632, he published Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems,
clearly favoring the ideas of Copernicus over Ptolemy. Galileo was
summoned by the Pope to stand trial before the Inquisition. Under
threat of torture, Galileo renounced his own work.
You can read the original documents here: The Crime of Galileo - Indictment and Abjuration of 1633.
Galileo lived under house arrest outside Florence for the last nine
years of his life. Interestingly, in 1992, the Catholic Church
acknowledged that Galileo had been correct. You can read a New York Times account of this here: After 350 Years, Vatican Says Galileo Was Right: It Moves.
HOMEWORK for tomorrow - Friday, November 12th:
Please continue in your reading on the Enlightenment with Chapter 22, Section 3, "The Enlightenment Spreads." (pp. 636 - 639)
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