Scientific_Revolution_Dbq

DBQ Unit 4 During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, political, religious, and social factors affected the work of scientists. In the political aspect, the government established and suppressed the new discoveries which affected the work of scientists. Scientists wanted to understand God and the universe, but dedicated it to religion which affected how they conducted their work. The scientists had social factors like breaking the old habit and doing things a new way, which also affected their work. Political factors affected the work of scientists when the government established and suppressed the new discoveries made by the scientists during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Thomas Hobbes said that if geometry conflicted with those who ruled it would be suppressed (Doc 7). This shows that the government would suppress the works over people so that it wouldn’t interfere with their rule. In doing so, scientists had to word things differently in order for the government not to suppress it. In the drawing of the French Royal Academy, Louis XIV can be seen at the academy (Doc 10). This source would most likely be unreliable because it is just a drawing and can be fabricated by the author. However, this shows that the government sponsored people which affected the work of scientists. Jean Baptiste Colbert said that the state was putting money toward the sciences (Doc 11). This source is most likely reliable because Colbert was the finance minister under Louis XIV and would know where the money is spent. As the government assisted in putting money toward the sciences, it leads for scientists to continue their work. Political factors weren’t the only factors; religious factors played a role in how scientists conducted their work too. In the religious aspect, it affected the way scientists carried out their work and how they displayed it. Nicolaus Copernicus said that he dedicated his work to his holiness and the church (Doc 1). This source would most likely be unreliable because he dedicated his works to Pope Paul III and may have over exaggerated a bit. This, however, shows that scientists were affected by the social factors, and made sure not to anger the religious communities. Giovanni Ciampoli said that Galileo’s works on the moon differ to the authority and jurisdiction of scripture (Doc 3). This source would most likely be unreliable because it is a letter from a monk to Galileo and the monk may have over exaggerated due to the fact that the monk would be strongly against the scientists. This, however, shows that people were trying to defend their side using religious scripture. Walter Charleton said “the creation and arrangement of atoms…connected…infinite wisdom and power” (Doc 8). This source would most likely be reliable because Charleton was an English doctor and should know about the atom. Scientists used religion to decipher the world and with it explain how things would go on. Gottfried Leibniz said “God governs minds…” (Doc 12). This source would be reliable because he is a German philosopher and not a religious monk to have over exaggerated in this statement. This shows that religion made people think about how the world worked. Religious factors were not the only variable that affected scientists, but the society affected scientists socially too. Social factors affected how the scientist’s works were seen in society. Francis Bacon said that humans had to find new discoveries and powers (Doc 4). This statement would most likely be reliable because Bacon is an English Philosopher and knows how science can impact society. This shows that people in society were aware that new discoveries had to be made. Henry Oldenbury said friendship also spread learning and human welfare (Doc 6). This statement would be unreliable because he is a secretary and not a philosopher of scientists to make this statement. This however shows that friendships affected scientists, and can be seen when Nicolaus Copernicus was persuaded by his friends to publish his works. Margaret Cavendish said that she couldn’t do things because she was a female (Doc 9). This statement would be reliable because she was a female during this time. It shows how if you were a woman, it affected your work and how it was seen and published. Marin Mersenne said that his work was left to your private judgment (Doc 5). This shows that the work you did had to be socially accepted. In conclusion, scientist’s works were impacted greatly socially. As a result of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, political, religious, and social factors affected the work of scientists. The scientists were impacted by the government’s reaction to their work, the religious communities’ reactions, and had to make sure that their work was socially accepted.