Arthur Mielnik A.P European Free Response question form B Pd.

4 The Scientific Revolution throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth century revolutionized Europe. Some scientists were aided by the government to help fund studies, however it was difficult for most scientists to publish work without being ostracized and punished by the Catholic Church. It was also difficult for women to live a life of science because of her predestined roles. Throughout the 1500-1600s political figures, religious inquisition, and social output, all played a role in the work of many scientists throughout the scientific revolution like Copernicus, Margaret Cavendish, and Thomas Bacon. Jean Baprite Colbert, the French minister under Louis XIV believed that encouraging scientific research would make a nation gain power, wealth, and fame. He believed that by creating several establishes for both letters and sciences, the arts and sciences would flourish, (doc 11). Even though the French government believed in funding scientific research, their power still undermine the power of a scientists and were able to discard any unwanted findings. In Marin Mersennes letter to his noble patron, he tries to justify his results to a higher power in the hope that his work would be further funded. He would write my experiments have been repeated more than 30 times, and some more than 100 times, before reliable witnesses who all agree with my conclusions (doc 5), and by this he meant that his work was all valid and was checked many times in front of unbiased witnesses. Funding was a big role to any science experiment. Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher had a more cynical view of the governments power in scientific discoveries. In his book the Leviathan he wrote if Euclids proposition that 3 angles of a triangle are equal to the two angles of a square, conflicted with the interests of those who rule, I know it would be suppressed, (doc7). He thought that it was unfair for the government to have full jurisdiction over all science. Religious factors also played a large role in shaping scientific discoveries during the scientific revolution. Some, like French Calvin, a French theologian believed that study on astronomy should not be prohibited, nor this science condemned because some frantic person boldly reject whatever is unknown to them, (doc2) and th at science would help further unfold the admirable wisdom of The holy God himself. However others, like Nicholas Copernicus, a polish priest and astronomer criticized the churches outlook on astronomy in his book On Revolution of the Heavenly Spheres dedicated to Pope Paul III. He believed that mathematics is for mathematicians and they, if not wholly deceived, will hold that my labors contribute even to the wellbeing of the church, (doc 1). Copernicuss ideals on astronomy, and the universe were scolded at and here assumed to be insulting to God himself. Walter Charlton, an English doctor and natural philosopher used God to prove his theory of the creation of atoms. He wrote It appears impossible to imagine the atoms could be eternal or self-governing, and could fix

themselves into so vast and symmetrical structure as this world, (doc8) and only Gods infinite wisdom and power could be the cause of this. Many scientists either changed results or ideals to satisfy the churches view on science. God had to be the creator of all and anyone who objected the holy law was severely punished. Society was also a large factor throughout the scientific revolution. English philosopher, Margaret Cavendish described the troubles she faced as a woman who had trouble being credited by other because of her sex. But I being a women, do fear they would soon cast me out of their schools, (doc9) she wrote showing the difficulties she faced being a female scientist. However with the exception of female scientists, society showed to further expand the boundaries of scientific discovery. As seen in Henry Oldenburys letter to Johannes Hevelius

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