HIS244H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Critical Inquiry, Tabula Rasa, Geocentric Model
Document Summary
During the middle ages scientifically inquiry served theological ends. Inspired by archimedes and pythagoras: theories seemed to reduce the place of mankind in the universe, careful not to adopt a triumphalist account. In the 3 laws of planetary motion he suggested that god was not needed to regulate the movement of the planets: movement without the direct intervention of god. Universities contribute very little to the diffusion of the scientific method. For the scientific revolution + enlightenment we see that the most important centers are those outside the church. We don"t need god to intervene all the time to keep the world going. Descartes: postulated that each man has to start as a blank slate: deductive reasoning: doubt everything, submit everything to a critical inquiry. I think, therefore i am: example: syllogism 1. 18th century: decline of witch hunt trials educated prosecutors much more skeptical about witchcraft.
