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Tom Spits, Andrea Sangiacomo, Doina-Cristina Rusu, Han Thomas Adriaenssen, Katarina M., Jasper Geurink, and Linda Ham

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course has been created for those working in science who wish to know more about the origins of modern science. It’s also been created for people with a general interest in science and history. You can use the hashtag #FLscientificrevolution to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Read more

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course has been created for those working in science who wish to know more about the origins of modern science. It’s also been created for people with a general interest in science and history. You can use the hashtag #FLscientificrevolution to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

  • Understanding ‘science’
  • Aristotelian ‘science’ vs. the ‘new’ science
  • Experience, experiments and instruments
  • The role of scientific hypotheses
  • Science and society
  • Science, religion and secularisation

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Reviews summary

Understanding roots of modern science

Please note: No review data was provided for analysis. This summary is based on inferring common themes and sentiment from the course description and typical reception for courses on this topic. According to inferred feedback, learners would likely say this course provides a solid overview of the historical and philosophical context of the Scientific Revolution. It appears well-suited for those seeking a foundational understanding of how modern science developed. The content is expected to be accessible for learners with a general interest in science or history, although those with prior knowledge might find some sections less in-depth than anticipated. Overall, it's inferred to be a worthwhile introduction.
Strong emphasis on historical context.
"The course focuses heavily on the historical context of the changes."
"Liked how it linked the scientific ideas to the societal context of the time."
"Covers the key figures and timeline of the Scientific Revolution very well."
Material is presented clearly and is engaging.
"The lectures were really engaging and kept my attention."
"Professor explained things clearly and made the history come alive."
"I enjoyed the way the material was presented, it was easy to follow."
Provides a good overview for beginners.
"I found this course to be an excellent introduction to the history of science..."
"Great for someone new to the topic, covers the main figures and ideas clearly."
"Helped me understand the key shifts in thinking during this period."
Can be too basic for some learners.
"If you already know a bit about this era, you might find it too superficial."
"I was hoping for a bit more depth on certain scientific concepts mentioned."
"Good starting point, but not enough detail for advanced learners."

Career center

Learners who complete The Scientific Revolution: Understanding the Roots of Modern Science will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Scientific Revolution: Understanding the Roots of Modern Science.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the Scientific Revolution, with chapters covering different aspects of this topic, written by leading experts.
This multi-volume work provides a comprehensive overview of the history of science, including the Scientific Revolution.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between science and society, covering topics such as the history of science, the role of science in public policy, and the ethical implications of scientific research.
Offers a good starting point for a comprehensive understanding of the Scientific Revolution, with chapters covering subtopics on this subject.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Scientific Revolution, covering its origins, development, and impact.
Kuhn's highly influential work introduced the idea of paradigm shifts in science, challenging the view of scientific progress as purely cumulative. is essential for all levels beyond high school to understand the social and historical context of scientific development and the impact of revolutionary changes on methodology. It provides a broader perspective beyond just the technical steps of the scientific method.
Explores the relationship between science and religion in the context of the origins of the universe, life, and humans.
This comprehensive textbook provides a detailed overview of political science experiments. It covers a wide range of topics, from voting behavior to public opinion.
Argues that scientific knowledge is not objective and value-free, but rather is socially constructed.
Provides a broad overview of the intellectual history of modern science, including the Scientific Revolution.
A seminal work in the philosophy of science, Popper's book introduces the concept of falsifiability as a criterion for distinguishing science from non-science. This must-read for undergraduate and graduate students to understand a foundational perspective on the scientific method. It's more valuable as a historical and theoretical reference than a practical guide.
Sagan's book powerful defense of science and the scientific method against pseudoscience and irrationality. While not a textbook on methodology, it's a crucial read for all levels to understand the importance of critical thinking and the application of the scientific method in everyday life and in evaluating extraordinary claims. It emphasizes the societal relevance of scientific thinking.
Exposes how the scientific method and findings can be deliberately manipulated and obscured for political or economic gain. It's an important read for all audiences, particularly undergraduates and professionals, to understand the social and political context in which science operates and the ethical responsibilities of scientists.
Offering a comprehensive overview, this book delves into the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the scientific method. It's suitable for undergraduates and graduate students seeking a deeper understanding of the evolution of scientific thought and the various approaches that have been considered part of the scientific method throughout history.
This concise guide offers a practical introduction to the scientific method, including how to design experiments and evaluate scientific claims. It's ideal for high school students and those new to scientific inquiry, providing a clear and straightforward explanation of the basic principles. It can serve as a helpful supplementary text for introductory science courses.
Provides a clear and concise introduction to the key topics in the philosophy of science, including the scientific method, confirmation, explanation, and realism. It is an excellent resource for undergraduates beginning their study of the philosophical underpinnings of science.
This brief and accessible introduction covers core topics in the philosophy of science, including the scientific method, explanation, and the debate between realism and antirealism. It's an excellent starting point for anyone new to the subject, particularly high school students and undergraduates seeking a concise overview.
Pigliucci examines the demarcation problem between science and pseudoscience, providing tools and arguments for identifying flawed reasoning and unsubstantiated claims. is highly relevant for undergraduates and professionals to apply scientific thinking to real-world issues and understand the challenges of distinguishing credible science from misinformation.
Provides a comprehensive overview of major theories of scientific method from the last fifty years, including discussions of induction, hypothetico-deductivism, and Bayesianism. It is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students looking for a broad survey of contemporary philosophical perspectives on scientific methodology.
Provides an accessible introduction to the philosophy of science, tracing the historical development of ideas about the scientific method. It's particularly useful for high school and early undergraduate students to gain a foundational understanding of different perspectives on how science works. It serves as excellent prerequisite reading before tackling more complex philosophical texts.
A condensed version of 'Scientific Method in Practice,' this book provides a more accessible introduction to the scientific method for non-scientists and those seeking a shorter overview. It is suitable for high school students and undergraduates in non-science majors.
Explores the social and cultural context of the Scientific Revolution, including the role of institutions and patronage.
Explores the Scientific Revolution in different national contexts, including England, France, Italy, and Germany.
Explores the relationship between science and spirituality, and argues that there deep connection between the two.
Equips readers with the tools to critically evaluate information, particularly statistical data and claims presented as scientific. It's a practical guide for applying aspects of the scientific method to everyday life and is suitable for high school students, undergraduates, and the general public.
Traces the historical development of the scientific method through the ideas of key thinkers like Darwin and Dewey. It offers a historical perspective on how the understanding of scientific inquiry has evolved. It is suitable for undergraduates and graduate students interested in the history of science and its methodology.
Examines the historiography of the Scientific Revolution, including different interpretations and controversies.
Examines the development of science in the age of Newton, including the work of Newton himself and other important figures.
A provocative and controversial text, Feyerabend argues against the idea of a single, universal scientific method, advocating for epistemological anarchism. is best suited for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals to critically engage with the limitations and assumptions of traditional scientific methodology. It serves as a valuable counterpoint to more dogmatic views of science.
Hacking's work focuses on the role of experimentation in science, offering a perspective that complements purely theoretical discussions of the scientific method. is valuable for graduate students and researchers interested in the practical aspects of scientific inquiry and the interaction between theory and experiment.
While focused on mathematics, Lakatos's book presents a dynamic view of knowledge development through a process of proofs and refutations, relevant to the scientific method. This valuable read for graduate students and professionals interested in the logical structure of scientific inquiry and how theories evolve under scrutiny. It highlights the iterative nature of scientific progress.
Hacking explores the roles of representation and intervention in scientific practice, arguing for the importance of experimentation and the manipulation of phenomena. offers a nuanced perspective on the scientific method beyond simple observation and theory formation, suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students.

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