136-038 The Scientific Revolution

Formerly available as 136-224/324. Students who have completed 136-224/324 The Scientific Revolution are not eligible to enrol in this subject. For science third year, see 136-338 The Scientific Revolution (Science 3).

Usually 75 points of first year study across any discipline areas.

This subject 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 will 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; and the acceptance of a science that was self-confessedly tentative and hypothetical. Throughout the subject, 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.

• develop skills in written and oral communication;

• conduct independent research;

• make appropriate use of primary and secondary sources in mounting an argument;

• form defensible judgements based on a critical evaluation of conflicting evidence.

A 2000-word essay 25% (due just after mid-semester), two 1-hour written class tests 12.5% each (one mid-semester, one late in the semester), and a 3-hour written examination 50% (during the examination period). Students can earn exemption from the examination, on the basis of the tests and essays. Students exempt from the exam will be given a mark in which the essay is weighted at 50% and the tests at 25% each.