Scientific Revolution

I. Defining the New Science

                A. The search for ordered knowledge

                               1. time of theological dispute

                               2. questions about old knowledge

                               3. Descartes starts from scratch

                B. Rediscovery of mathematical philosophy

                               1. Plato and geometric harmonies

                               2. questions of induction and deduction

                               3. fusion of mathematics and experimentation

II. The Order of the Universe

                A. Copernicus rethinks old thoughts

                               1. Ptolemy's theory based on geometric harmony of circles

                               2. Copernicus discovers that sun-centered system is more harmonious

                B. Kepler confirms Copernicus's harmonic system

                               1. Kepler's three laws

                               2. symmetry and proportion in planetary motion

                C. Galileo combines mathematics and observation

                               1. observation of moon identifies it as matter

                               2. planets are like earth - earth can move like them

III. A New Science of Motion

                A. Galileo works out basic rules

                               1. principle of inertia

                               2. imagines tides caused by movement of earth

                B. Descartes presumes mechanical world

                               1. all motion caused by mechanical interactions

                               2. deduces the presence of invisible ether

                C. Newton's mathematical synthesis

                               1. Newton's rules of reasoning

                               2. defining motion in mathematical terms--three laws

                               3. Universal gravitation makes sense mathematically

                D. Dispute between Newtonians and Cartesians

                               1. Newton's system does not make sense mechanically

                                    a. Cartesians oppose magical "action at a distance"

                               2. Newton trusts that God is mathematical

                               3. Newton's prediction of a compressed globe is demonstrated

                               4. Gravity can explain the tides

                E. Triumph of mathematical model of nature

IV. Science and Religion

                A. Trial of Galileo (1633)

                               1. complex motives of church leaders

2. Galileo's best defense expressed years earlier

a. letter to the Grand Duchess Christina (1615)

                               3. He capitulates in 1633

B. Newton studies the Bible

1. Newton's un-mechanical view of the universe

                                   a. mathematical , but not mechanical universe

                               2. interest in alchemy and in Biblical prophecy

3. Newton's rules of Biblical interpretation

V. Question since the Scientific Revolution: is the Bible a scientific text?

A. Concerns intellectual and social authority

B. !7^th-century views

                               1. Galileo: no, it isn't meant to be

                               2. Roman Inquisition: yes

                               3. Newton: yes, in a way

                               4. Enlightenment thinkers: no, and therefore inadequate

                B. Choices for modern Christians established in the 18th century:

                                    a. insist that Bible is a scientific text--creationism is an example

                                    b. adopt Galileo's approach--science and revelation are two different sorts of knowing

                                    c. deism--God exists, but no miracles

                                    d. atheism--only the material world exists