The Scientific Revolution by Eirika Edwardsen

The Scientific Revolution was crucial to the development of â€Å"modern† European thinking. It effected every aspect of life, and changed ideas that were the basis of stability in the society of Europe during this era. The effects were not only felt during this time but also continued to help shape and mold life and the way people thought for many decades after. Areas such as mathematics, science, theology, philosophy, literature, and art were all areas that were effected by the Scientific Revolution. The impact of the revolution played a major role in changing people†s views and ways of thinking. Everything that was taught to be right and true was now being questioned by a large number of people. The churches† hold on society and peoples† lives no longer had the grip that they maintained for thousands of years. With science opening eyes, people could see the facts about many things. The Earth was not the center of everything know to man, and the power of God did not effect the planets many yearly changes. Nature was a whole new concept, people began to explore and question everything that they had always been curious about. By having so many people becoming known for their ideas, scientific thinking gained the popularity that ultimately helped people change the old ways of thought and made it able for large groups to accept this new information. The Scientific Revolution helped to change modern thinking by offering new ideas that had the facts to back them up. If offered change in a society that needed nothing more. Those questioning life and everything that it included now had some answers and were able to see that by observing and researching, learning about almost anything was possible. The revolution not only helped in education, science, mathematics, and the arts, it helped open the opportunities for new religions to take a place in the developing world. The difference between the medieval understanding of the universe and the scientific view was basically knowledge versus faith. The medieval understanding was that the Earth was the center of all being and everything changed or developed by some act of God. God was the ruling power and the Earth was here to serve Him just as people were put on the Earth to serve God and reach a better life in Heaven. The Earth was thought to be divided into different levels that held places for those who were considered sinners and those who believed in their faith enough to be considered worthy for a place in heaven. Science changed and challenged these ideas. Scientific views said that the Sun, not the Earth was the center of the Universe. There were other planets, and satellites. Yes, God played his role, but it was not part of how the universe worked. The Earth and the universe were considered mechanical, things that could be learned, researched, and expanded. Science provided explanation that made sense to a large number of people, and this intimidated the church. The church knew that these ideas about the universe must have some fact or else they would not have been so intimidated by them. Shaken enough that they developed and Index of books with information that were forbidden to be read. The Age of Enlightenment was a time when education, the arts, theatre, and other such areas became powerful aspects of society. The leaders of this era sought to impose freedom of print and education. This is the time when philosophers were in their glory. As the Scientific Revolution broadened the ideas about nature, the Elightenment broadened thoughts of society and how it could or could not flourish. The effects of the age included changes in politics and how they intervened with everyday man and his life, thoughts of man no longer being a sinner damned into hell but rather a condition such as life that is ever changing and can be improved with education and conditioning, and also it provided ideas that would help improve religious toleration. Times such as The Scientific Revolution and The Age of Enlightenment did not come and go at a rapid rate. Decades upon decades of slow introduction of new ideas were necessary so that a revolution would not begin. These two eras offered information into a stagnant society. Not everyone would ultimately grasp these ideas, many were content living their lives they way the had been for hundreds of years.