136-338 The Scientific Revolution (Science 3)

Usually two second year HPS subjects.

This unit surveys a constellation of important changes in the thinking of educated people in 17th century Europe - a group of changes commonly referred to as 'The Scientific Revolution'. Students examine the official philosophy of the middle ages, scholasticism, and its notion that material objects were innately active; the appeal of alternative 17th century views of the matter as utterly passive; Descartes' mechanical philosophy; the Newtonian retreat from extreme mechanism; the impact of sceptical attacks on the reliability of human reason; the acceptance of a science that was self-confessedly tentative and hypothetical. Throughout the unit, the complexity of the processes governing the acceptance of a philosophy of nature is emphasised; and our discussion is placed into its broader contexts with religious and political connections repeatedly perused. Students who successfully complete this subject will be capable of displaying an improved understanding of the above issues.

As for 136-038, and a 2000 word project on an advanced topic related to the subject but not covered in classroom teaching.

A subject reader will be available.

• Descartes, D Cress (trans), Meditations on First Philosophy. Hackett.
• J Henry, The Scientific Revolution and the Origins of Modern Science. Macmillan..