Scientists Beliefs During The Renaissance

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The Renaissance was a rich period of time. A time where scientists had a thirst for knowledge, education and an abundance of discoveries. Many uncovering propelled our civilization into a world as we know it today. Although many major discoveries occurred during that time, they did not come without consequences for fear of the Christian faith and its teachings. The scientists' beliefs of this time during the Renaissance, caused them to conduct their research extremely carefully due to their fear the Church as over them and all of Europe.

Throughout the Renaissance Era, the Christian faith was looked up upon highly and was followed by a majority. Scientist’s of that era recognized the church as the one thing that was the truth. “[It’s] as well to say that Christ was not born a virgin”(Bellarmine p.g. 34). “The motion of the heart was only to be comprehended by God” (Harvey p.g. 45). Both Bellarmine and Harvey believed in God. So when they found evidence that proved what the church said, they tread carefully. “The universe is a mechanical system in mathematical terms.” (Descartes p.g. 46). Descartes found proof that the earth was not the center of the universe but the sun was. This caused these men to proceed with caution.

The realization the church …show more content…

With this power, they were at the top of the food chain while the scientist was near the bottom. With that realization, most scientists held back their work in fear of being excommunicated from the church. “The council of Trent prohibits interpreting scripture against the common census of the Holy Fathers.” (Bellarmine p.g. 34) “They wanted the beautiful thoughts to be attained by great men of deep devotion not to be ridiculed by those reluctant to exert themselves.” (Copernicus p.g. 22). The scientists had a thirst to study and discover but their fear of excommunication from the church caused them to halt their

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