Scientific Methodologies and Discoveries in the Scientific Revolution
Introductory Summary
The scientific revolution of the 17th and 18th century depicts an explosion in the scientific world similar to the awakenings of the renaissance. Its works did not occur in a vacuum nor were they a momentary flash of brilliance. Rather, it all came to be due to developments on the field of epistemology, before which; there was no clear knowledge on analyzing human cognizance. Prior to this revolution there had been earlier scientific discoveries that led to more curiosity in the analysis and nature of knowledge pertaining to the functioning of the world. This closer look and change in the view of approach towards thinking and analyzing spurred the change in methodology of studying science and analyzing information critically. This was made possible through the use of procedural experimental analysis and critical, logical (empirical) thinking and sequencing of obtained information. This led to an explosion in the number of discoveries which increased significantly in the 17th and 18th century in comparison to prior centuries (thus the scientific revolution was an increased understanding of knowledge and number of discoveries but not, the start of science) as a culmination of growth.
Changes in Methodology and discoveries of the scientific revolution
The earliest record of scientific methodology can be traced to ancient Egypt in an Egyptian text book of medicine (The papyrus of Edwin Smith) known as circa from the 1600 BC. This procedural method applied examination, diagnosis, treating and prognosis in treating diseases. This example of a start in analyzing cause and effect has grown through time. In later years refinement in methods progressed as exemplified by Aristotle, sought induction as a method to prove discoveries in the universe. Since induction could not prove cause he applied deductive reasoning in the form of syllogisms as a means to prove cause in discoveries. His method was empirical in form and sought to reconcile abstract thought and observations (‘Wikipedia History’, 2010). In the revolution era, other scientists came up with further refinements in scientific methodology that would later further scientific research and discoveries. These include, Roger Bacon who proposed the method sequenced by observation, hypothesis, experimentation and verification.
He was later followed by Galileo who proved his science of motion by use of mathematical methods in referring to experiments. Though he did not lend himself to the discovery of causes he brought about the use of mathematics as a tool to be used to obtain scientific results. In later years Francis bacon developed the eliminative induction method that relied on the experimental history to do away with alternatives procedurally. Sequentially, followed Descartes with his deductive reasoning that sought truth of knowledge by deduction from causes. Later on, in the principia, Isaac Newton lay to rest any conflicting view that was laid by the differing of Descartes and Bacons proposals. His empirical approach gave favor to Bacon’s empirical approach over Descartes rationalism approach. The culmination of these methodologies in to a solid approach method resulted in the integration of inductive and deductive methodologies of scientific research in the 18th century (Hooker, 1999).
These changes in knowledge acquisition formats led to many discoveries in the 17th and 18th century. These included: the use of logarithms by john Napier, invention of the barometer, measurement of the speed of light, Newton’s discovery of classical physics, the first two laws of planetary motion, Van Leeuwenhoek observation of micro-organisms and the Galileo’s telescopic observations. All these occurred in the 17th century. In the 18thcentury other discoveries followed including: Volta’s electric battery, Dalton’s atomic theory, James Clerk’s theory of magnetism, William Crooke’s cathode ray tube, Charles Darwin theory of evolution and Ohm’s laws of electricity (‘Wikipedia Timeline’, 2010).
References
Hooker, R. (1999). The European Enlightenment: The scientific revolution. Viewed at, http://wsu.edu/~dee/ENLIGHT/SCIREV.HTM, on 7th May 2010.
‘Wikipedia History’. (2010). History of Scientific Method. The free online Encyclopedia. Viewed at, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_scientific_method, on 7th May 2010.
‘Wikipedia Timeline’. (2010). Timeline of Scientific Discoveries. The free online Encyclopedia. Viewed at, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_scientific_discoveries, on 7thMay 2010.
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