The Factors Involved in Scientific Revolutions Essay Example
In the mid sixteenth century, the world took on a revolution of a new kind. Following centuries of religious and political unrest, countless wars, and the infamous Black Death, which ravaged through nearly one third of the European population, Nicolaus Copernicus set off the Scientific Revolution in 1543 with his publication of De revolutionibus orbium coelestium. However, this revolution would not be restricted to only the sciences, but it would forever change the global landscape in every aspect of life. Although, named the Scientific Revolution, this metamorphosis of thought was not restricted to chemistry but touched on nearly every intellectually based subject. This widespread change was the product of a series of unique influences. Essentially, political, religious, and social factors contributed significantly towards the work of scientists in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, by inspiring ambitious individuals to improve: their lives, the institutions that governed them, and human civilization as a whole.
To begin, Politiques used scientific development to establish a very powerful and intelligent persona, in order to provide themselves with a superior stature in comparison their less educated subjects. Some of these leaders like Louis XIV, were advised by a new type of scientist, the philosopher, who emerged in a growing number as thinkers of the Enlightenment. For example, in a letter in 1676, French Minister Jean Baptiste Colbert explains, “the splendor and happiness of the State consists not only in maintaining the glory of arms abroad, but also in displaying at home an abundance of wealth and in causing the arts and sciences to flourish”(Doc. 11). The minister himself, may have even had his own philosophical advisors, who promoted ideas like establishing academic academies and laboratories to further advance the intelligence of the French man. Colbert also mentions displaying an abundance of wealth, which historically in France many lavish
To begin, Politiques used scientific development to establish a very powerful and intelligent persona, in order to provide themselves with a superior stature in comparison their less educated subjects. Some of these leaders like Louis XIV, were advised by a new type of scientist, the philosopher, who emerged in a growing number as thinkers of the Enlightenment. For example, in a letter in 1676, French Minister Jean Baptiste Colbert explains, “the splendor and happiness of the State consists not only in maintaining the glory of arms abroad, but also in displaying at home an abundance of wealth and in causing the arts and sciences to flourish”(Doc. 11). The minister himself, may have even had his own philosophical advisors, who promoted ideas like establishing academic academies and laboratories to further advance the intelligence of the French man. Colbert also mentions displaying an abundance of wealth, which historically in France many lavish