2.6.1 Who were the great scientific thinkers? During this time, religion, arts and science were connected. A scholar could be a priest, scientist, artist and inventor. The Renaissance brought about a Scientific Revolution, encouraging people to challenge traditional beliefs and authority by using observation and reason. Table 1 shows some of the most famous thinkers of the time.
SkillBuilder discussion Historical significance 1. What significant discoveries might Copernicus have made
SOURCE2 Copernicus observing the night sky with his telescope
while observing the night sky with his telescope?
2. In what ways did
Copernicus’s observations influence other scientific thinkers of the age, and what impact did this have on the development of modern science?
TABLE1 Some of the well-known scientific thinkers of the age Name Years Field
Contributions
Leonardo da Vinci
1452–1519 Art, biology, anatomy, geology, engineering, maths, music
Produced iconic paintings such as the ‘Mona Lisa’, drew detailed anatomical drawings of the human body, designed a flying machine, a helicopter and a parachute. Developed the theory that Earth revolves around the Sun, published in 1543 Published book on human body in 1543, a major advance in the study of anatomy Recognised Sun as one of many stars, expanded on Copernicus’s ideas Developed the telescope, proved Copernicus’s theory, published findings in 1632 Discovered that diseases spread through germs First in Europe to describe blood circulation Known for laws of planetary motion, helped Newton develop his theory of gravity Famous for laws of motion and discovery of gravity
Nicolaus Copernicus 1473–1543 Astronomy
Andreas Vesalius
1514–1564 Anatomy
Giordano Bruno
1548–1600 Astronomy
Galileo Galilei
1564–1642 Astronomy
Girolamo Fracastoro 1478–1555 Medicine
Miguel Servet
1511–1553 Medicine 1571–1630 Astronomy
Johannes Kepler
Isaac Newton
1643–1727 Physics
TOPIC2 Emergence of the modern world in Europe 37
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