The Royal Society and Scientific Revolution
The Royal Society, established in 1662 under King Charles II, marked a pivotal shift in scientific thinking. Their motto "nullius in verba" takenobody′swordforit directly challenged traditional philosophical authorities, emphasizing empirical evidence over written texts. This institution became the epicenter for advancing new philosophical and scientific methods.
The scientific revolution introduced three distinct approaches to studying natural phenomena. The deductive method, first employed by Aristotle, moves from general principles to specific conclusions using logic and mathematics. The experimental method, pioneered by Galileo Galilei in the 17th century, works inversely - from specific observations to general conclusions through hypothesis testing and verification. The classification method, primarily used in biology, systematically organizes organisms into families and classes.
Definition: The experimental method involves forming hypotheses and testing them through controlled experiments, fundamentally changing how we understand the natural world.
Political philosophers like Hobbes and Locke developed contrasting theories about human nature and governance. Hobbes, in his work "Leviathan," viewed humans as inherently violent, requiring absolute authority through a social contract. Locke, conversely, believed in human cooperation and laid the groundwork for liberalism, advocating for divided governmental powers and the people's right to change their government.