How Did Rene Descartes Influence On Religion

The essence of new ideas about the universe and technology were born during the spirit of the Scientific Revolution. Much of the European experience prior to the Revolution was heavily based around religious ideas and concepts. However, this Revolution marked a new phase of science and philosophy; helping to redefine established notions of how both the universe and mankind operated. Additionally, these new ideas helped to permanently change societal views about science in a century primarily based around religion. This new worldview challenged traditional views of the world by basing philosophical thoughts on reason as opposed to religion and God. It allowed for direct observation to occur within the natural world, “all within a world which God had created, but left to man to discover” (Norton). The
Rene Descartes is considered to be the primary contributor in post-scientific revolution thoughts on philosophy. Born on March 31, 1596, Descartes set out to create a new system of thought by applying science to philosophy. He believed in a ‘dualistic’ model of reality, proposing it consists of two separate realms; physical and mental. Elements such as matter and energy were placed in the physical realm as they are properties that can be measured or studied in science. Meanwhile, the mental realm includes the mind and soul along with philosophy and religion. These specific realms cannot be measured as they do not exist in physicality. By placing science and religion in different realms, it allows for scientists not to be accused of heresy against the Roman Catholic Church while trying to prove their theories. Descartes