The Scientific Revolution

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In the centuries preceding the Scientific Revolution people attempted to understand natural phenomena through the lenses of doctrine and philosophical speculation. Scientists were content with to rely on a synthesis of Aristotelian framework and dogma in attempt to describe the world. During the Scientific Revolution scientists began to embrace empiricism as a way to better understand the intricacies of nature. Unlike today scientists during the Scientific Revolution didn’t see a dichotomy between science and religion. Scientists’ chief motivation in investigating nature was to add empirical support for the concept of divine design; the belief that held that God established order in the universe according to discernible principles. Scientists who embraced the concept of divine design were Robert Boyle (1627 -1691), Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) and Sir Issac Newton (1642- 1727). Boyle’s Law demonstrated how the inverse relationship between pressure and volumes of gas is representative of the concept of cause and effect. Kepler’s First Law of Planetary Motion demonstrates how God designed the universe like a mechanism. Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation shows how God designed the universe according to mathematical principles.

Finally, Isaac Newton’s Theory of Universal Gravitation shows how God designed the universe according to mathematical principles. What fully distinguishes science during the Scientific Revolution from the natural philosophy that dominated the preceding eras was the integration of mathematics into science. After centuries of relegating themselves to mere observation of nature, mathematics offered scientists an invaluable tool. Through the synthesis of mathematics, science gained its most distinguishing fea...

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...ence on the framework of the universe. Three scientists who believed in the concept of divine design were Robert Boyle, Johannes Kepler and Sir Issac Newton. Johannes Kepler’s Third Law of Planetary Motion shows how God crafted the universe like a mechanism. Though each of these men made significant contributions to the development of scientific knowledge their chief advancement is more subtle. Under their stewardship science progressed from philosophical speculations into a discipline deeply rooted in empiricism.

Works Cited

Grant, Edward. A History of Natural Philosohpy. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007. 248. Print.

Gullen, Micheal. Five Equations That Changed the World. New York: Hyperion, 1995. 23. Print.

Boyle, Robert. The Sceptical Chymist. New York: Everyman’s Library, 1964. Print.

Caspar, Max. Kepler. NewYork: Abelard-Schuman, 1959. 123-142

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