The Effects of the Scientific Revolution

It is with much hesitation one must call the era of Western scientific growth a revolution. By its very definition, a revolution implies massive political upheaval, occurring over a short period of time – a revolt, in short. In the case of the Scientific Revolution, however, the term does not exactly fit the definition. This revolution affected but a few people and happened over two to three centuries. The implications of Scientific Revolution, however, are far reaching. It was during this time of religious uncertainty that the laity began to approach men of nature and science for their answers, rather than the traditional clergymen who had dominated European culture since the Middle Ages. Ultimately, the Scientific Revolution challenged the doctrines of medieval Scholasticism, and led to an empirical, rather than spiritual, approach to finding knowledge. The names synonymous with scientific innovation – Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, and William Harvey – provided new theo...