History-Chapter 17 Study Questions

What was the significance of Descarte's principle of separation of mind and matter?

Descarte's principle of separation of mind and matter was significant because it was the root of rationalism, "I think, therefore I am."

Name the four great mathematicians who had a profound impact on astronomy.

Galileo, Newton, Ptolemy and Kelper were four great mathematicians who had a profound impact on astronomy.

Who were the two seventeenth century Englishmen who influenced the ideas of the Enlightenment?

Isaac Newton and John Locke were two Englishmen who influenced ideas of the Enlightenment.

By what means or methods did Locke believe a new society would be created?

John Locke thought that if environments were changed and people were exposed to the right influences, then people would be changed and a new society created.

Why was Newtons' thinking important in the Scientific Revolution?

Newton was critical in the Scientific Revolution because of his Universal Law of Gravitation, that was mathematically proven and explains all motion in the universe.

How did Vesalius and Harvey disprove many of Galen's theories?

Physicians Vesalius and Harvey disproved many of Galen's theories because they dissected humans, where Galen dissected animals.

What was the importance of the salons?

Salons brought writers and artists together with aristocrats, government officials, and wealthy middle-class people to discuss the Enlightment.

What do we call the social sciences?

Social Sciences are economics and political science.

Describe the Enlightenment.

The Enlightenment was an 18th century philosophical movement of intellectuals who were greatly impressed with the achievements of the scientific revolution.

What are the characteristics of the scientific method?

The scientific method is essentially inductive reasoning, using a system of specific to general, hypothesis, and carefully organized experiments.

Contrast the Ptolemiac system and Kepler's first law.

The Ptolemaic system stated that earth was the center of the universe and that the other planets resided in crystal spheres. The Copernican system said that the sun was in the middle, and orbits were not crystal, but abstract ovals.

What changes in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries helped the natural philosopher develop new views?

The works of Ptolemy, Archemedes, Plato, the telescope and microscope, and the printing press were changes in the 15th and 16th century that helped the natural philosopher develop new views.

What were the three basic roles of government according to Adam Smith?

Three basic roles of government according to Adam Smith were protecting society from invasion, defending citizens from injustice, and keeping up certain public works.

What were the major contributions of Montesquieu, Voltaire and Diderot to the Enlightenment?

Three philosophes directly to the Enlightenment. Montesquieu analysed checks and balances, and the separation of powers. Voltaire wrote novels, plays, essays and letters explaining his belief in religious toleration and criticizing Christianity, also a believer in deism. Didrot wrote the 'Encyclopedia' a collection of knowledge on his revolutionary ideas that was sold everywhere.