SR_Discoveries

 ** Significant Discoveries ** Nicholaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei both carried out researches in the field of astronomy that went against the theories that was established in the society then and developed theories that had concrete evidence to support them.
 * 1) ** Nicholaus Copernicus + Galileo Galilei **

The theory of the Universe being geometric was long established in the society, and was upheld by both the Church and majority of the society. Copernicus was the first person who came up with a theory that went against that. He questioned the fundamental theory of the Earth being the center of the universe and created a heliocentric Universe whereby, the Sun was the center of the Universe to solve some problems about the universe. Through geometry, mathematics, physics and cosmology, Copernicus was able to find concrete evidence to deduce the position of planets and other celestial bodies and to support his theory. Thus, for the first time there was a scientific theory not based on thinking and philosophy that many theories then were on, but one that has a logical proof.

Galileo further validated the findings of Copernicus as he pushed the boundaries of the magnifying glass and created one that could magnify something to a factor of 33 times. Galileo then created the telescope and using this piece of instruments, Galileo made revolutionary discoveries about the Universe. He discovered that the previously flawless and perfect Sun had sunspots on it, Saturn had rings around it and the Moon had craters and mountains on it! The telescope was important because it provided many theories about the universe with evidence and proofs that further back them up. Galileo also openly challenged the Church’s role and authority as the sole provider of knowledge as he developed more theories that actually had concrete evidences to support it. These theories went against the teachings of the Church and people started to have doubts about the Church.

The works of Copernicus and Galileo were significant because it was the first time the teachings of the Church and the great philosophers at that time were challenged openly. The theories they came up with were easily accepted by the people because they had concrete and scientific evidence that supported their findings unlike the philosophical theories developed in the past. They introduced the people to a whole new perspective of things whereby concrete evidence was now used to substantiate claims and that things have rational explanations to them. Their discoveries also ignited the pursue for empirical explanations for various theories formulated and laid the basis of scientific research for future scientists such as Sir Isaac Newton.

** 2. Sir Isaac Newton ** Sir Isaac Newton was the greatest scientist ever lived as his work paved ways for more researches to be carried out. He excelled in both the fields of mathematics and physics. His discoveries can be divided into two parts - Experimental where he developed the 3 laws of motion, the law of gravity and the properties of light and theoretical, specifically mathematics where he invented the calculus, a mathematical means of calculating rates of change. The law of gravity Newton discovered had many implications and with this one law, many motion in the universe could be explained. He created a new cosmology in which the world was seen largely in mechanistic terms, whereby the universe was one huge, regulated and uniform machine that operated according to natural laws.

Newton’s works are mostly based on observations and constant interest and effort put into his research. Whenever he did not have the appropriate tools at a certain point during the research, he made his very own instruments. Newton confirmed the most important and physical theories previously set forth by Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo. However, he went further by explaining the Whys of how the natural processes happen while Galileo and Copernicus only explained the Hows. Newton also united both Frances Bacon and Rene Decartes strands of thoughts. Therefore, the contributions set by Newton was the building block for many others research and experiments in the future as the scientists are then able to use the laws that Newton discovered to carry out their work.

** 3. Francis Bacon ** Francis Bacon discovered the scientific method and paved the way for experimental science. The scientific method consisted of the following procedures: hypothesis, experiment, observation and induction. It was also built on inductive principles, thus urging scientists to proceed from the particular to the general instead of beginning with assumed first principles from which logical conclusions could be deduced. Using the scientific method, by carefully organizing experiments and thorough, systematic observations, correct generalizations could be developed. Before Bacon came up with the Inductive reasoning method, many researchers came up with a hypothesis base on deductive reasoning. Bacon’s scientific method was thus significant because many scientists will then have a basic structure to guide and carry out their experiment. With organized procedures and steps, the chances the scientist being bias in minimized and the need for evidence to support a theory increased too. This will decrease the probability of the scientist’s thoughts to affect his experiment. Their research results will tend to be more reliable too. The experimentation process has given way for results that may contradict the hypothesis and in turn, provide us with new knowledge about the way. With more accurate theories being developed, we will then have a better understanding about the world we live in.

** 4. Rene Descartes ** Rene Descartes was known as the “Father of Modern Philosophy”. He made the first concentrated attempt to apply for new methods of science to theories of knowledge. He constructed a system of knowledge which discarded perception as unreliable and only admitting deduction as a method. However, he realized that we can rely on our sensory system which was created by God. Thus, this established the possibility of acquiring knowledge about the world based on deduction and perception. He also invented the Cartesian geometry, which was the basis of modern geometry and this in turn influenced the development of modern calculus as it provided the basis for the calculus of Newton and Leibniz.