Apparent_Connections_Amidst_Science,_Politics,_and_Religion

Apparent Connections Amidst Science, Politics, and Religion Apparent Connections Amidst Science, Politics, and Religion Within today’s society science is an entity almost entirely separate from religion and politics, yet history paints a different picture. During 17th and 18th century Europe, the spread of ideas and the inspiration to perform science were a direct result of religion and politics. The readings of Darnton, Dobbs and Jacob illuminate how social, political and religious elements were crucial to the development and spread of modern science. Politics and religion often inspired new discoveries and perspectives in relation to science. Jacob mentions that the natural philosophers “looked forward to the progressive purification of religion and a moral reformation…to which science…was seen as being crucial.” Therefore, the people of this era depicted science as a key element to ignite political and religious change. Moreover, Jacob observes that the populace felt that “the discovery of nature would overcome the religious divisions and usher in a world reformation.”2 Through an expanded knowledge of nature the true religious doctrine would be located and the entire population would follow. This inspired scientists to reach new frontiers via scientific discoveries for the benefit of religion. Concepts from the variety of religions present during this time scientific, science, religion, theories, ideas, jacob, therefore, spread, religious, political, people, new, darnton, theory, populace, politics, government, knowledge, validity, time, through, felt, excerpt, europe, discoveries, about, 18th, 17th, world, universe, true, tone, status, specific, solutions, society, social, rulers, result, research, provided, pamphlets, notes, newton, nature, mesmerism, merit, mentions, judgement, involvement