The Scientific Revolution and the Foundations of Modern Science

Description:  The Scientific Revolution and the Foundations of Modern Science explains how the pursuit of natural philosophy-- as science was then called--from about 1500 to 1700 created the foundation upon which modern science has been built. The profound changes in the study of the natural world in this period was made possible by social and cultural changes occurring Western Europe, and the achievements of men like Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Frances Bacon, Rene Descartes, William Harvey, and Isaac Newton. This book details their ideas and practices, as well as those of others, the concepts they overcame, and the nature of the institutions within which they worked.  Designed as an introduction to the age of the scientific revolution, this book offers readers and researachers an appealing mix of narrative chapters, biographical sketches of key figures, and annotated primary documents. An overview of the period introduces the topic, and is followed by chapters on Astronomy and the Cosmos; Matter, Motion and the Cosmos; The Nature of Living Things; New Methods for the Advancement of Knowledge; Religion and Natural Philosophy; and the Influence of the Scientific Revolution. A glossary of terms is offered, and the work concludes with an annotated bibliography and index.

Table of Contents:
    * Dedication
    * Series Foreword
    * Introduction
    * Chronology
    * Historical Overview
    * Astronomy and the Cosmos
    * Matter, Motion, and the Cosmos
    * The Nature of Living Things
    * New Methods for the Advancement of Knowledge
    * Religion and Natural Philosophy
    * Influence of the Scientific Revolution
    * Biographies
    * Primary Documents
    * Glossary
    * Annotated Bibliography

Review:
If you enjoy reading the history of science or need additional background in understanding the historical perspective of science, you should add this book to your collection. The reader-friendly format provides information that teachers at all levels will appreciate. It is rich with opulent stories of both skepticism and openness, underscoring the evolution of ideas that led us to scientific reasoning and discovery.
It should become an imperative to weave the logical arguments and skepticism of the history of science into our curriculum. By gaining an appreciation of the history of science, we open the door to greater awareness of scientific inquiry and perseverance. Reading The Scientific Revolution and the Foundations of Modern Science is an excellent way to begin.
—NSTA Recommends National Science Teachers Association 2006