Lesson 6: The Scientific Revolution

Key Idea

The Scientific Revolution grew from ideas planted long ago. Ancient Greek thinkers first used rationalism, or reason, to explain the natural world. They believed people could understand the universe through logic and observation.

During the Middle Ages, European and Islamic scholars preserved this classical knowledge. Then, the Renaissance sparked a new interest in human ability and the world. This spirit of humanism encouraged people to question accepted truths and to study nature for themselves.

Key Idea

For centuries, Europeans believed in the geocentric model, the idea that Earth was the unmoving center of the universe. This view was supported by ancient science and the Catholic Church.

During the Scientific Revolution, astronomers proposed the heliocentric model, which placed the sun at the center. An astronomer named Galileo Galilei used a new invention, the telescope, to find evidence that the planets revolved around the sun.

Key Idea

The Scientific Revolution introduced new ways of thinking about knowledge. The English philosopher Francis Bacon argued for empiricism. He believed that real knowledge comes from observing and testing the world around us. People should rely on what they can see and measure.

Meanwhile, the French philosopher René Descartes promoted rationalism. He taught that knowledge begins with doubt and the use of pure reason. By thinking logically, people could arrive at certain truths. These two paths—observation and reason—created a powerful new way to understand the universe.

Key Idea

Thinkers like Francis Bacon and René Descartes offered new ways to gain knowledge. Bacon argued that truth comes from observation of the world. Descartes believed that truth is found through logic and reason.

These two approaches were eventually combined into a single, powerful system for investigation. This new, organized approach became known as the scientific method.