From the Scientific Revolution to the Mathematicalization of Nature

Beginning and end of the scientific revolution

The 'De revolutionibus orbium caelestium' (Copernicus - 1543) and 'The principles of mathematics of natural philosophy' (Newton - 1687) are two works considered, roughly, the beginning and the end of the scientific revolution. The term 'revolution' indicates a radical change in a given area in a short time, properly an new way of conceiving the science that takes place mainly to a change in the method.

Phases of science according to Kuhn

A Hungarian philosopher, contemporary, Kuhnhas identified What was change between 500 and 600; argues that science proceeds by alternate phases: the normal phases (phases cumulative) where they accumulate knowledge of the various scientists, and the revolutionary phases (phases of rupture) where there is a change of paradigm, that new discoveries are incompatible with the scientific model year.

Transition from ancient science to modern science

This represents a shift from ancient science (medieval) which was qualitative that is explained through the reality the quality of bodies and finalist or intended nature as a largest living organism in which every part tended to an end final goal; the Mmodern science that is quantitative that takes those aspects of reality that are measurable and that means the mechanistic nature as a machine in which each element is the result of a cause [the precursor: Democritean atomism. Atoms qualitatively the same, quantitatively different].

Mathematization of nature

The science was more rigorous mathematics (queen of the sciences), based on the method of mathematical demonstrative. With the scientific revolution you want to apply this method to the study of nature, in fact, born of modern physics; this study the nature with mathematical formulas (mathematization of natural phenomena). Thus nature becomes an objective order and autonomous, that is regulated by universal and necessary laws, in which nothing happens by chance, but all is the result of causes specific and precise.

Concept of law and scientific method

The concept of law is based on the concept of cause, as if a cause corresponds an effect that is the law. The laws are elaborated through the experiment: 1) systematic observation; 2) formulation of the hypothesis; 3) verification of the hypothesis; 4) formulation of the law. The law allows the prediction and therefore human intervention in nature.