The Scientific Revolution became an integral part of the reemergence of society following the middle ages in Europe. The majority of the European population remained unsure with how the world worked and relied on the church to teach science. Many intellectuals at the beginning of the Scientific Revolution did not practice science as we think of it today, but rather alchemy and other studies roughly tied to factual understandings of the world. Today we think of alchemy as science fiction, but during the early 18th century, Alchemy provided the most plausible understanding of the world outside of the ideas of the church. As a movement, the Scientific Revolution demonstrates a period of time where intelligence altered its understanding of
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Not only does Newton readily attend church as a devote Christian, but also spends his time carrying out alchemy experiments while simultaneously furthering his historic studies of motion and optics. Nevertheless, throughout Newtons career, his work primarily shifted from the old ideas of natural philosophy and alchemy, to a modern understanding grounded in the conduction of experiments to prove a hypothesis. Newton’s work with practical applications of science makes his work and findings relative to every day life, overshadowing his relation with the church and alchemist experiments outside the public eye. Overcoming obstacles posed by the Church, and those retaliating against his studies in alchemy provides Newton with the opportunity to embody both aspects of the Revolution at the movements tipping point, pushing out the old scientific norms, while ushering in modern practices to be followed by others for generations to …show more content…
With Newton’s alchemy and optics work changing priorities in his life, the shift in his practices reflects the Scientific Revolution itself changing from alchemy oriented philosophers to those researchers rooted in the scientific method. In providing credibility to Newton, White references that people around Newton never referred to his questionable work as alchemy, but rather chemistry, to retain his prestigious image in the scientific community. Remaining prestigious became important to Newton and thus many of his publications took longer than anticipated to reach the hands of his colleagues for the fear his work would be incomplete. White continually emphasizes throughout his Newton Biography the significant amount of time it takes Newton to publish his findings. In particular, the publishing of Optiks took significantly longer than expected due to the laboratory fire destroying most of Newtons notes. The delay in publishing Optiks did provide Newton with some benefits, with more time to not only alter his findings, but also see the world around him change Newton was able to alter his previous findings and adapt them to the new knowledge at his disposal over the decades following his initial research. Other historians such as Chris Pinaire, of Wichita State, also acknowledged Newton’s long timeframe for
Not only does Newton readily attend church as a devote Christian, but also spends his time carrying out alchemy experiments while simultaneously furthering his historic studies of motion and optics. Nevertheless, throughout Newtons career, his work primarily shifted from the old ideas of natural philosophy and alchemy, to a modern understanding grounded in the conduction of experiments to prove a hypothesis. Newton’s work with practical applications of science makes his work and findings relative to every day life, overshadowing his relation with the church and alchemist experiments outside the public eye. Overcoming obstacles posed by the Church, and those retaliating against his studies in alchemy provides Newton with the opportunity to embody both aspects of the Revolution at the movements tipping point, pushing out the old scientific norms, while ushering in modern practices to be followed by others for generations to …show more content…
With Newton’s alchemy and optics work changing priorities in his life, the shift in his practices reflects the Scientific Revolution itself changing from alchemy oriented philosophers to those researchers rooted in the scientific method. In providing credibility to Newton, White references that people around Newton never referred to his questionable work as alchemy, but rather chemistry, to retain his prestigious image in the scientific community. Remaining prestigious became important to Newton and thus many of his publications took longer than anticipated to reach the hands of his colleagues for the fear his work would be incomplete. White continually emphasizes throughout his Newton Biography the significant amount of time it takes Newton to publish his findings. In particular, the publishing of Optiks took significantly longer than expected due to the laboratory fire destroying most of Newtons notes. The delay in publishing Optiks did provide Newton with some benefits, with more time to not only alter his findings, but also see the world around him change Newton was able to alter his previous findings and adapt them to the new knowledge at his disposal over the decades following his initial research. Other historians such as Chris Pinaire, of Wichita State, also acknowledged Newton’s long timeframe for