1. Isaac Newton

2. As a Student
While his school taught the ideas of Aristotle, Newton
preferred to read the ideas of Galileo and Kepler.
As a student he was undistinguished, but his private studies
during this time produced:
- a theory that would later become infintesimal calculus
- a theory on optics
- his law of gravitation
"You have to develop a talent for using your talent." -Lou Holtz

3. 1687 - The Principia
In 1687, Newton published the Philosophae Naturalis
Pricipia Mathematica (AKA: The Pricipia) which means
"Mathematical Priciples of Natural Philosophy"
In it Newton proposes an idea that is revolutionary.
- That the movement of objects in the universe is governed
by 3 Natural Laws

4. Law 1: Objects at rest or in motion
Objects at rest tend to remain at
rest unless acted upon by an outside
force.
Objects in motion tend to remain in
motion unless acted upon by an
outside force.

5. Law 2: Force = Mass x Acceleration
F = ma
A 20 kg iron bar lifted off the ground at a rate of 12
meters per second. How much force was required to do
this?
20kg x 12m/s = 240 Newtons of Force
A 200,000 pound rocket at 150 feet per second?
200,000 x 150fps - 3,000,000 Newtons of Force

6. Law 3: For every action...
...there is an equal and opposite reaction.

7. What all this means:
Newton popularized the idea that the earth and universe
was governed by "natural laws."
This means that the universe and earth were basically
machines built by a creator to always operate a certain way.
This means we can study, understand (and even predict) the
world so long as we can figure out what these natural laws
are.

8. Effect on science:
The idea of natural laws and natural order takes over
science. New branches of science (like chemistry, biology
and physics) emerge to answer all sorts of new questions
that this line of thinking creates.
New tools (like the microscope) are invented to examine and
understand scientific principles.
Science is basically divorced from supernatural
explanations.

9. Effect on other subjects
ECONOMICS:
Adam Smith puts forth an idea that economics are governed
by invisible "market forces" and puts forth the idea that
government shouldn't interfere with these forces (laissez-
faire economics).
POLITICS:
John Locke puts forth an idea that people are born with
"natural rights" that the government is responsible for
defending. Among these natural rights are "Life, health,
liberty or possessions."

10. Effect on other subjects
RELIGION: This Natural Law philosophy gave rise to a
religious philosophy known as Deism.
Deism is the belief that a Creator exists, but does not
involve Himself in the day-to-day running of the universe,
which is His perfect creation. Observation and reason leads
to knowledge of this Creator, not organized religion.

11. Notable things influenced by
Scientific Revolution beliefs:
The Declaration of Independence:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all en are
created equal and are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights. That among these are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
The Constitution of the United States:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof."