2.6.2 The dangers faced by scientific thinkers In medieval Europe, religion controlled all aspects of life and explained the world. Challenging religious ideas could be dangerous at this time, but the Church often supported scientific advances. However, it punished heresy . • Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake in 1600. • Galileo was arrested in 1633, forced to publicly renounce his scientific theories, and spent the rest of his life under house arrest. • Miguel Servet was persecuted by both Catholics and Protestants and burned at the stake. Ultimately, the Scientific Revolution weakened powerful institutions. The printing press spread ideas widely, breaking the societies’ earlier reliance on small groups (such as Church and clergy) for knowledge. With the Bible printed in various languages, people could read it independently, which started a new era of learning.
SkillBuilder discussion Continuity and change 1. Identify the key events in the image of Galileo facing the Inquisition. 2. Explain why Galileo’s scientific ideas conflicted with the Church. 3. Discuss the significance of the individuals around
SOURCE3 Galileo Galilei facing the Roman Catholic Inquisition, 1633
Galileo in the context of changes in scientific thought.
2.6.3 The Enlightenment Centuries after the Scientific Revolution, the terms Enlightenment (referring to intellectual and philosophical growth) and Renaissance (meaning rebirth of classical ideas and thinking) were introduced to describe those eras. Europeans made new discoveries and expanded knowledge during this time. These discoveries led people to question life before the ‘Age of Reason’. For the first time, the Church’s authority, the power of kings and old beliefs were challenged. In response, those in power used harsh methods to maintain control.
38 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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