by Adam White

Created on: June 04, 2007

The scientific revolution is a term that broadly refers to the radical advances in science that occurred between the sixteenth century and eighteenth century, although the exact beginning and end of the revolution have been disputed to a certain extent. The most widely accepted view amongst historians is that the scientific revolution started with Copernicus' revelation concerning the structure of the solar system and finished with Newton's discovery of gravity and his subsequent theories of motion. Although there had been some advances in science throughout the medieval period many intellectuals still devoted their time to alchemy, with the result that little real scientific progress was made. In early modern Europe however, throughout the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries there was a multitude of advances made by many key figures that revolutionised science. Some of the most important discoveries were made regarding the nature and structure of the solar system, and the ways in which it operated.

Whilst one could argue that the scientific revolution was mainly concerned with advances on the subject of the solar system and the universe, there were many other important discoveries made regarding other aspects of science. Not only were there developments made in physics, but there was also great advancements made in biology and chemistry; indeed even the nature of knowledge itself was questioned by individuals such as Descartes. Science was given new importance as a result of the upheaval - the establishment of the Royal Society in Britain, the Accademia del Cimento in Italy and the Acadmie Royale des Sciences in France shows the new importance placed on science. In order to ascertain whether the scientific revolution was primarily concerned with the solar system it is necessary to analyse the significance of great advances made during the period. The importance of the advances concerning the solar system must be compared to the significance of the other major discoveries in other scientific disciplines in order to assess whether or not the scientific revolution was primarily concerned with the solar system. The nature of the scientific revolution can also be considered some historians believe that the scientific revolution was one of steady advance, whilst others believe there were key bursts of genius. In order to assess whether the scientific revolution was one principally related to the solar system, it is required to look at the key discoveries

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