Scientific Revolution DBQ

During the sixteenth and seventeenth century, the Scientific Revolution brought radical changes in people’s mind. People’s focus on idealism began to shift to rationalism and the material world; traditions were challenged by new scientific discoveries. Some scientists were supported by the state for showing the power of the nation, while the others were suppressed for conflicting with the ruling class. Scientific discoveries that praised the wisdom of God were welcomed by the Church, while those who contradicted with the Scripture were restricted. Society also encouraged people to use scientific method and to investigate the truth, but constrained women from doing the studies. Overall, political, religious and social factors both contributed
and limited the work of scientists. Having scientific innovations was a way to display wealth of a nation, and thus states sometimes fund scientists to complete their studies, while states also suppress them sometimes for conflicting with political ambitions.
Louis XIV actually visited the French Royal Academy, which indicates that France organized and funded scientists into a group to encourage scientific investigations during the Scientific Revolution (Doc 10). Louis XIV’s appearance signals the official recognition of Academy Societies in France. Five years later, Colbert, the French finance minister under Louis XIV suggested that the state should support science since the flourish of science is a sign of wealth (Doc11). Colbert, as a minister close to the king, spoke from a perspective that is good for the nation, which indicates that the idea that science benefits politics and should be supported by the government is accepted in France. Marin Mersenne, a French natural philosopher writes to his patron that he could remove anything the patron disagreed with (Doc 5). Mersenne presented himself as very humble in order to receive the fund from his patron to continue his investigations. However, Hobbes points out that once scientific discoveries interfere political ambitions, they are no longer encouraged and are even suppressed (Doc 7). This demonstrates that the ruling class had authority over scientists since they had more political and economic
power. Scientific discoveries that presented the power of God were supported by the Church, while those which challenged the Scripture were condemned. John Calvin, a theologian, defined astronomy as an art that “unfolds the admirable wisdom of God” and thus should be supported (Doc 2). Even scientists themselves sometimes put themselves under religious laws: Charleton, an English natural philosopher, believed that the creation of atoms was due to the “Infinite Wisdom and Power” of God (Doc 8). In fact, some thinkers argued that human minds should follow God. Leibniz, a German philosopher states that human minds should focus on rewarding the good and punishing the bad, which is a Christian idea (Doc 12). On the other hand, investigations that challenged the authority of the Church were not welcomed but condemned. Copernicus confirmed his loyalty to the Pope in his book in order to get support from the Church, that his “labors contribute[d] even to the well being of the Church” (Doc 1). Copernicus’ identity as a scientist indicates that religion could be an restriction of science, and religion also has an authority over science that scientists had to stay loyal to the Pope while doing experiments. Another example is Galileo, who was condemned by a monk after publishing his discovery of mountains on the Earth’s moon. The monk condemned that Galileo should not help spreading “rumors” like humans on moon by showing his obedience to the Church (Doc 3). The monk, who talked from a Christian perspective, believed that science and radical thoughts were only rumors that challenged his position and authority. Society encouraged men to think rationally, while limiting women’s space to show their talents.
Bacon, the founder of scientific experimentation, believed that the goal of science should be let “human life endowed with new discoveries and powers,” which is therefore socially beneficial since it improved people’s lives (Doc 4). He probably put that as his own goal and tried to influence others when he studied sciences since he is a well-known scientist himself. Oldenbury argued that friendship should spread between those who devoted themselves to truths, which would raise philosophy to its height (Doc 6). Oldenbury, a member of the English Royal Society, was persuading a scientist to unite and coordinate with others, which represents as a social force of calling scientists to innovate and be productive. Unfortunately, women were excluded from this movement; only few could make noticeable achievements. Cavendish argued that it was unfair to only allow males to study sciences; females could also achieve it very well (Doc 9). Cavendish as a female scientist herself gives credit to her statement, since she knew the difficulty to study science and to take it as a career for a
woman. Politics, religion and society all influenced both positively and negatively on scientific investigations during the Scientific Revolution, and shaped the work of scientists.