Science

Definition

Science is the systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. This method of inquiry has transformed how humanity understands the natural world, fostering progress across multiple domains, including politics, art, and philosophy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Scientific Revolution in the 16th and 17th centuries marked a significant shift in thinking, where traditional authority began to be questioned and replaced with empirical evidence.
2. Key figures like Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton were instrumental in establishing foundational principles of physics and astronomy, challenging prevailing notions held by the Church.
3. Science influenced Enlightenment thinkers who believed in using reason to improve society, leading to new political ideologies centered around individual rights and governance.
4. Romanticism emerged partly as a reaction to the scientific rationalism of the Enlightenment, emphasizing emotion and individual experience over strict adherence to scientific principles.
5. In the 20th and 21st centuries, advances in science have led to profound changes in technology, medicine, and environmental understanding, impacting global societies and economies.

Review Questions

• How did the Scientific Revolution change the way people viewed authority and knowledge?
  • The Scientific Revolution fundamentally altered perceptions of authority by promoting empirical evidence over traditional beliefs. Thinkers like Galileo challenged long-held views sanctioned by the Church, showing that observation and experimentation could yield more accurate understandings of nature. This shift encouraged a culture of questioning established doctrines, leading to broader acceptance of scientific reasoning as a basis for knowledge.
• In what ways did Enlightenment thinkers utilize scientific principles to advocate for political changes?
  • Enlightenment thinkers applied scientific principles like reason and empirical evidence to challenge existing political structures. They argued for natural rights and the idea that governments should be based on rational principles rather than tradition. Philosophers such as John Locke used science as a framework to advocate for democracy and individual freedoms, greatly influencing political revolutions in America and France.
• Evaluate how scientific advancements have impacted societal structures and cultural movements from the 20th century to today.
  • Scientific advancements have significantly reshaped societal structures by driving technological progress and influencing public policy. The rapid development of medicine has improved health outcomes but also raised ethical questions about biotechnology. Additionally, cultural movements like environmentalism emerged in response to scientific findings on climate change, urging society to reconsider its relationship with nature. The interplay between science and culture continues to evolve as new discoveries challenge existing norms and beliefs.

Related terms

Empiricism: The theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience, emphasizing the importance of observation and experimentation in scientific inquiry.

Rationalism: A philosophical approach that emphasizes reason as the primary source of knowledge, contrasting with empiricism by suggesting that certain truths can be understood through deduction.

Scientific Method: A systematic procedure for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge, typically involving observation, experimentation, and analysis.