The Scientific Revolution of the seventeenth century, which was initiated by the Renaissance, greatly advanced the movement toward modernity. No longer was there a medieval view of the universe, but instead scientific method of understanding. It was then thought that "rigorous and systematic observation and experimentation were the essential means of unlocking nature's secrets" (Western Civilization, 276). Western thinkers increasingly felt that "nature was a mechanical system governed by laws that could be expressed mathematically" (Western Civilization, 276). Science was now the main source of knowledge as opposed to the more primitive method of "theology,"

which resulted in many prominent scientists to emerge.

The Medieval view of the universe blended theories of ancient Greeks, Aristotle and Ptolemy. The medieval mind knew the planets to be in qualitative order, ascending order toward Heaven, with Hell just below Earth. The two philosophers held that planets moved in circular orbits and at uniform speeds around the earth, which was stationary. This model was known as the geocentric model. The Renaissance did indeed contribute to the Scientific Revoluti

1. Planets move in elliptical orbits, not circular ones. 2. Planets do not move at uniform

Nicolaus Copernicus and his Epoch. Jan Adamczewski.

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Approximate Word count = 2058
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)