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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."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for The Scientific Revolution: Understanding the Roots of Modern Science. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

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

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Provides a historical overview of the scientific revolution, focusing on the development of the scientific method and its impact on our understanding of the world. It is an excellent resource for students who are interested in the history of science.
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.
Popular and accessible introduction to physics. It is written by Nobel laureate Richard P. Feynman and provides a clear and concise explanation of the scientific method. It valuable resource for students who are interested in learning more about the fundamental principles of science.
Popular and accessible introduction to astronomy. It is written by renowned scientist Carl Sagan and provides a fascinating overview of the universe. It valuable resource for students who are interested in learning more about the scientific method and the wonders of the cosmos.
Popular and accessible introduction to science. It is written by journalist Bill Bryson and provides a humorous and engaging overview of the history of science. It valuable resource for students who are interested in learning more about the scientific method and the development of scientific knowledge.
Pulitzer Prize-winning history of the Manhattan Project, the top-secret project that developed the atomic bomb. It fascinating and detailed account of the scientific and technical challenges that were overcome in order to build the bomb. It valuable resource for students who are interested in learning more about the scientific method and the impact of science on society.
Pulitzer Prize-winning exploration of the relationship between mathematics, art, and music. It thought-provoking and challenging read that provides a unique perspective on the scientific method and the nature of creativity. It valuable resource for students who are interested in learning more about the scientific method and its applications in the real world.
Popular and accessible introduction to mathematics. It is written by mathematician Steven Henry Strogatz and provides a clear and concise explanation of the scientific method. It valuable resource for students who are interested in learning more about the fundamental principles of science.
Passionate defense of science and its importance to society. It is written by physicist James Trefil and provides a clear and concise explanation of the scientific method. It valuable resource for students who are interested in learning more about the scientific method and its applications in the real world.
Thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between science and morality. It is written by psychologist Michael Shermer and provides a clear and concise explanation of the scientific method. It valuable resource for students who are interested in learning more about the scientific method and its applications in the real world.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.

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