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The Enlightenment Period In The History Of Science

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The Enlightenment Period was the most overall significance in the history of science known as the “Age of Reason”. This period challenged theological authority from traditional to intellectual ways of thinking. The developments during this time fostered the change. Creative thinkers include Newton, Locke and Halley changed scientific thought. Society was transformed from describing knowledge in terms of human experience rather than biblical beliefs. In this age scholars adopted empiricism, proposing the idea that theories should be based upon human observations and experience. Significant advancements in astronomy and Physics resonated from this period. A decline of power of monarchies, and a reduction in the pre-eminence of the Church gave rise to independence of thought. These actions, discoveries, innovative ideas created a metamorphosis of scientific growth, which solidifies its significance in the history of science.
The Age of Reason took place during the 17th and early 18th century. This philosophical movement happened primarily in Europe and, later, in North America. Many people apart of this were skeptical of religion and the power of the Catholic Church, including monarchies, hereditary and aristocracy. This was a challenge of authority, “the advance of Enlightenment science, confronted the "unenlightened" character of most of humanity” …show more content…

This period allowed those who lived during it to reflect on what they believed to be true. The conflict between creative thinkers and religion didn’t necessary force those to pick a side, but there were many creative minds who held strongly to their religious beliefs. It was believed that the existence of God established social order. "If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him." (Voltaire, 1768). This was a period of great importance that allowed science and creative minds to grow

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