Chapter 3: Introduction

This week, we dive into the Scientific Revolution: the period in the sixteenth and seventeenth century that completely changed our view on nature and on science. During this period, science became the dominant worldview, replacing the Aristotelian one that had been in place for the better part of two millennia.

We will see that the challenge to the Aristotelian worldview cane as a result of a technological invention: the refracting telescope by Hans Lipperhey.

As a result of this change in metaphysics, the question became what the role of the arts would be. We will see that this new worldview led to a furthering away of art from the everyday life – a process we have seen starting at the Medici.

First, you are asked to go over a small presentation about the Scientific Revolution. After that, there's a small article that puts this in a more contemporary setting. After studying these materials, you are well prepared to go over the exercises of this week.