HSTR 102ih 1st edition Lecture 2 Current Lecture -Rule of the Scientists- -17th Century-Individuals first came to see themselves as scientists- Necessary factors- 1st-science had to be distinguished from philosophy- 2nd-science had to be disentangled from theology- 3rd-had to appeal to those in power- 4th-needed an environment, like early modern Europe, where borders were fairly open, so that ideas could travel easily- -In Renaissance, science and art are closely related- Artists were often engineers/architects- Split occurs:- Scientists become important in:- Improving navigation- Improving artillery- Perfect instrument-making techniques--Copernicus- 1543 (year he dies), he publishes On The Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres- Traditionally, Christian theology placed the earth at center of the universe-accepted as the divine order of things- Problem with this system: - Failed to explain motion of planets- -Copernicus says that the sun was at center, while earth and other planets revolved around it.- Theory based on mathematics and observations that planets appeared to be moving in non-circular orbits- -Received as Heresey: it contradicted scripture- But even Protestant views of theory were tentative, and even they dismissed the idea that earth moved- -All of Copernicus’ theory could not be true- Protestants argued because truth only came through faith-and not through reason- Nonetheless, Protestant scientists helped to foster Copernicus science- Protestant science philosophy--Galileo- 1608 he brings up the telescope- Galileo could now see the stars previously unknown, as well as mountains on the moons of Jupiter- Published initial observations on pamphlets leading to debates- -Galileo was convinced of Copernicus’ theory- Telescope brought him into conflict with other scientists- 1611-His name comes up in inquisition hearings- Galileo was catholic and said that the bible wasn’t wrong, it was just misinterpreted. - -Galileo believed the bible spoke metaphorically- It was not literally true- Believed it was up to individual interpretation- It said little about astronomy and wasn’t supposed to be a scientific guide- Since god gave man reason and senses, it was up to man to use them- -1616-Copernican theory was condemned as Heresey- 1632-Galileo publishes Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems which was supposed to appear impartial- Heliocentric vs. Geocentric- Created a stir and challenged the bible- -Pope ordered all copies to be retrieved- Galileo (68) meets with Inquisition in Rome- Galileo forced into confession- He escaped being burned at the stake but was confined to house arrest for the rest of his life- “and yet it moves”-Newton- Newton represents culmination of the Scientific Revolution- Professor of math at Cambridge- Developed Calculus, Physics, and Optics- Required to become angelican priest- But after studying religious scriptures he rejected Christian orthodoxy- 1687-Publishes Principia- Laws of Motion- Principium makes the best argument to date for heliocentric universe by showing the laws of Gravity.- -Objects in cosmos moved with strict laws in line with gravity- Newton was not in opposite to the bible- Newton’s god was a great clockmaker (machine ticks according to specific laws)- Just as nature was rational, so was its creator- For some, this reconciled religion (in northern Europe, not so much Southern)--Continuing Superstition- Scientific Revolution changed thought and beliefs- But it didn’t entirely eclipse traditional beliefs and fears- Until end of 17th century-Most of Europe still believed in power of the devil andin demonic spirits- 14-1700=70,000-100,000 people were sentenced to death for witchcraft or harmful magic- Most witch hunts took place in German lands and what surrounded them (Poland, Switzerland, France)- -About half of all witch hunt trials ended in execution- Witch acts:- Sexual orgies with devil- Cannibalism- Un-Christian acts the perverted sacraments- -Cunning folk played important village roles- Believed to have special powers:- To cure sick- Heal the disabled- Provide disaster assistance- Powers claimed by most in need of respect/influence- The poor, disabled, elderly-particularly elderly single women- Powers of Cunning Folk were believed to be from the devil- One of clergy’s important practices was exorcism of demons- ID and eliminate local Cunning Folk was key to churches attempts- -Usually single, 40-70 year old women, midwives, were suspected- Easily blamed for death of wives and kids- 15th century: Manuals gave instructions on how to bring witches to trial- Books declared that those who denied the reality of witchcraft were themselves hereticsWHY DID THIS HAPPEN?- Witch hunts coincide with European instability- Reform/Counter-Reform brought on religious conflicts- Protestant Reformation contributes to witch hunts- Some Protestants refocus attention to presence of Devil in the world- Witch hunts had a social function:- They also allowed villages to settle disputes and acted as a way to explain misfortune- -Most accusations come from rural peasant villages- Largely women- Women were also believed to be more lustful and sexually indulgent- Accusation usually followed personal misfortune:- Sudden death of a family member, romantic or sexual failure, or loss of a farmanimal- -Witch hunting dies down by the end of the 17th century.- New judicial changes made torture less common- Disallowing certain types of evidence formerly used in trial process- Scientific Revolution also contributed to change in outlook- More rational universeQuestion:“Is there a connection between a highly religious culture and
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