The Rise of Science

Read and discuss the three (3) questions below on the Rise of the Modern World and the role of science in
shaping that new emerging world view.
Starting in the 1600s, we face what has become known as the Modern World (not 'contemporary' world ). In
Bertrand Russell's "History of Western Science, he opens chapter VI saying: "Almost everything that
distinguishes the modern world from earlier centuries is attributable to science (p.525).
1) do you agree with this claim by Russell? Read pp. 525-530 for Russell's brief introduction to modern
science. (2) Does Russell make his claim compelling? The key figures Russell notes that have created this
change in our World View are Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton. Russell writes that "Newton achieved
the final and complete triumph for which Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo had prepared the way ." (p. 535) In
fact, Issac Newton's revolution (1642-1727) in science was so pervasive and profound that English Poet
Alexander Pope (1688-1744) once wrote of Newton:
"Nature and Nature's laws were all hid in night
God said 'let Newton be' and all was light" (Russell p. 538).
(3) So, with this upheaval in the way we think about the world coming to be from modern science, )Let us ask
what it is that distinguishes the man of science from thinkers of the previous centuries. What does Russell say
the distinguishing features are? Do you agree with Russell? If so or if not do you think it is a good thing for
humankind to have made such a change in our foundations of our view of the world?