SR Impact on the Church and European Culture
SR Impact on the Church and European Culture
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CHAPTER: SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION
(c). Discuss and comment on the SR and the impact that it had on (1) the Church and (2) the philosophy of modern European culture
Scientific Revolution refers to the historical changes in belief and thought to changes in institutional and social organization, which unfolded in the European region about the period of 1550-1700. “The concept started with Nicholas Copernicus who was concerned with heliocentric cosmos and ended with Isaac Newton who proposed a Mechanical Universe and universal laws” (Tarnas, 1993, p. 325).. The concept of Scientific Revolution offers an appropriate exercise for conceptualizing about how periodizations evolves, develop, and mature. The chronological period of SR has differed rapidly over the last fifty years. In most cases, historians have constantly disputed the assumed starting and ending periods of the scientific revolution (Tarnas, 1993). However, a majority of historians agree that the earlier explanation was based on the notion in a central shift that started in astronomy and cosmology and then changed to physics. Most of the historians have stated that the changes in natural philosophy had significant transformations in Europe (Tarnas, 1993, p. 271-373. The Philosophical Revolution).
The Scientific Revolution has developed highly complex as a periodization. Because SR has tried to take account of alternative perspectives and new research, new alterations and additions have been made. Over the last fifty years, there are a number of sub-periodizations, which have arose due to narrower research subjects, normally from a more central topical theme or even from narrow chronological era. The most broadly accepted include the Galilean Revolution, the Newtonian Revolution, the Copernican Revolution, the Cartesian Synthesis, the Keplerian Revolution, and the Newtonian Synthesis. Scientific Revolutions refers to developments or movements in Europe that extend over periods of 75 to 185 years. The major developments entail changing cultural, conceptual, institutional, and social relationships that involve knowledge, belief, and nature (Tarnas, 1993, p. 223-271. The Modern Worldview). A number of specialists have not come into a consensus concerning the periods of the Scientific Revolution normally related to what is referred to as the Copernican Revolution. For instance, one historian has noted that if Copernican Revolution was there, then it started and ended in the year 1610 with works of Kepler and Galileo. There are other specialists who emphasize that the emergence of major conceptual elements implying that the major era of the SR was in 1610-1660. On the other hand, other scholars who specialize in institutional and social elements hold that the era after 1660 was crucial because it was during that period that state-sponsored science and scientific periodicals evolved.
Impact on the Church
SR had a significant impact on the church, as well as, on the philosophy of modern European culture. It emerged as both the ultimate expression of the Renaissance and its perfect contribution to the modern view of the world. It was a major event that altered traditional beliefs of the European people. This is because they had accepted old theories regarding the sun and other planets revolving around the earth until scientists began to observe nature and started to question common beliefs (Tarnas, 1993). During the Medieval era, scientists held that the earth was immovable, flat object located at the center of the universe. People did not question this as it seemed reasonable as could be seen through observation. This was the geocentric theory that originated from Aristotle, a philosopher from Greece. To support his theory, the Church also taught the same ideas of the earth being at the center of the universe. It is stated in the Bible that God put the earth at the middle of the universe since the earth was meant to be the distinct epicenter of God’s creation.
During the sixteenth century, scientists started to print information that challenged the old ways of early philosophers and the Church. As there were more scholars who were against the earlier ideas and concepts, the concept of SR evolved that was a time when individuals questioned beliefs that were previously accepted. New perspectives and paradigms were now based on reasonable interpretations including astronomical or mathematical knowledge. Among the most famous during the period were Galileo Galilei and Nicolaus Copernicus. Copernicus was responsible for developing the heliocentric theory. In contrast to the geocentric theory, Copernicus’s heliocentric theory held that the Sun was at the core of the universe and that all it planets, the Earth included revolved around the sun. To illustrate his ideas, he developed a telescope which let him observe the cosmos with greater aspects. He found out that one of the planet, Jupiter had four moons (Tarnas, 1993, p. 171-221, The Transformation of the Medieval Era). He also found out that the Earth’s moon did not have an even surface, and this disapproved the theory of Aristotle that held that the stars and moon were made of perfect and pure substances. On the other hand, Galileo printed his discoveries that angered and affected the Church. This is because if individuals believed in the discoveries of Galileo that were against the doctrine of the Church, they would begin to question all of the teachings of the Church. This is the reason that made the Pope to order Galileo to stand trial because of his actions that were against the Church doctrine. Later, Galileo was given a house arrest sentence for the rest of his life.
“By the end of the 14th century, the church was literally, a mess” (The Transformation of the Medieval Era, 1). In this case, the religious world was in disorder. The new concern on science had resulted in discoveries that tended to contradict the teachings of the Bible. This is because there was a great split between followers of religious teachings and beliefs and followers of science (Tarnas, 1993, p. 325-365, The Transformation of the Modern Era). During the chaotic period, various new sects of religion achieved prominence such as Scientology and Adventism. The era of SR was a period of trials especially for religious Europeans and eternally changed the manner in which the western society perceived the idea of an intellect creator.
The Scientific Revolution altered the way individuals thought about the physical globe or world around them. The same inquiry spirit that led to Renaissance led scientists to question on the earlier traditional notions and beliefs about the universe workings. The combination of the scientific realism with the bitter or cold spiritual condition of a variety of the churches in the early period of 1600s led to the start of a variety of spiritual movements. Among the movements was Quakerism that was established by George Fox. The Quakers believed that anything that looked like structured worship should be eliminated from the church. This included sermons, hymns, creeds, and sacraments. Rather, the service must occur in silence till the Holy Spirit gets to a person’s heart and makes them speak. Another movement was known as German Pietism that was established and led by August Francke and Philipp Spener. This movement, however, did not respond as ruthless as Quakerism did. The movement still believed that the mind was crucial. The main focus, however, was on practical aspects and personal holiness concerning Christianity. Methodism was also a movement that arose during the time and was led by John Wesley. This movement was the most lasting and most popular of the three mentioned movements. This movement emerged rapidly and spread across the Atlantic and in America, as well. The founder was also a member of the Church of England and sought to restructure the state of the church. The movement emphasized crucial, living Christianity, as well as, the eventual role of their movement, which was the salvation of souls. These movements, however, created a problem as they left no place for substance and doctrine. This led to some people losing stance as their faith did not have real foundation or substance.
Impact on the European Culture
Apart from Copernicus and Galileo, there were many other significant scholars some of which have been mentioned that further developed science. Individuals such as Bacon, Kepler, Descartes, Boyle, and Newton all made great contributions to the Scientific Revolution. All the new theories and innovations assisted in shaping a different European society that altered popular belief and ideas. In other words, the new ideas and discoveries aided in fueling the enlightenment among the Europeans (Tarnas, 1993, p. 325-365, The Transformation of the Modern Era). The SR concept is generally believed as characterized by the evolvement of new principles and ideas concerning humanity and the world around individuals.
Rationally, the Revolution paved a way for new thinking such as the development of the Scientific Method. The scientific method became vital to the intellectuals’ efforts and of the Europeans in general, in discovering more about the globe around people. With the new techniques at their use, intellectuals in Europe were capable of unlocking the nature secrets and the nature of the world itself. This led to a transformation of people’s ideas and views on the world that surrounds them through logical explanations. This improved the general lives of the Europeans. Economically, SR led to advancements in Europe during the period it occurred. It resulted in the discovery of a number of technologies that were helpful to the merchant class (Tarnas, 1993, p. 171-221, The Transformation of the Medieval Era). The developments made it easier for the citizens of Europe to buy and sell products. This led to the redistribution of wealth among individuals that in turn led to an increase in the quality of life of the Europeans.
Therefore, in short, it can be argued that Scientific Revolution involved at least three key elements. First, it represented the final expression of the Renaissance, as well as, its ultimate contribution to the modern world approach. It reflected an acute metaphysical disorder because of religious that were irresolvable and that generated a need for a unifying and clarifying vision. Scientific Revolution also reflected the Pythagorean/Neoplatonic conviction that nature is in the end understandable in harmonious and simple mathematical terms. It contradicted the Bible, as well as, Christianity theology about hell, heaven, and the centrality of humanity.
References
Tarnas, R. (1993). The Passion of the Western Mind: Understanding the Ideas that Have Shaped Our World View. New York: Ballantine Books.
