The Impact of Developments in Science and Enlightenment

Beginnings of the Scientific Revolution

The 17th century saw the birth of the Scientific Revolution which was a shift in scientific thought that emphasised empirical evidence and the questioning of accepted truths.
Key figures such as Galileo Galilei and Sir Isaac Newton revolutionised the fields of physics, astronomy, and mathematics respectively, proving that empirical observations, coupled with mathematical analysis, resulted in a more reliable understanding of the universe.
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, commonly known as the Royal Society, was founded in 1660, promoting science and its benefits, and recognising excellence in scientific research through peer review and publication.

Influence of the Enlightenment

With scientific thought rising, so did philosophical thought and the era known as The Enlightenment, marked by a dedication to rational thought and a deep questioning of existing religious and political norms.
John Locke, in his ‘Two Treatises of Government’ (1689), provided a verbose criticism of divine monarchy and advocated for a government by consent, thus providing ideological foundation for future democratic principles.
The impact of Thomas Hobbes must not be forgotten - his work ‘Leviathan’ (1651) presented an argument for the necessity of absolute government to prevent societal collapse.

Integration into Society and Politics

The shift in scientific and philosophical thought eventually affected the politics of the era, with political revolution in the late 17th century drawing heavily from Enlightenment principles.
The Glorious Revolution of 1688 saw the overthrow of James II, significantly influenced by the changing belief systems propagated by the Enlightenment. The Bill of Rights (1689) reflected Enlightenment attitudes by asserting parliamentary authority and individual rights.
Scientific methods, characterised by logical and rational investigation, increasingly influenced political thought and policy making leading into the 18th century, reflecting principles of reasoned governance and public engagement.

Threats to Traditional Norms

This new wave of scientific and philosophical intellectualism posed a threat to traditional religious beliefs, as they pushed for empirical evidence and reasoning - counter to faith-centric ideologies of the Church.
Despite this, deism, a belief in God based on rational thought rather than revelation or religious authority gained popularity, indicating an attempt of reconciliation between religious faith and the growing rationalism.
Not all were receptive to these new ways of thinking, resulting in conflicts and tension, notable incidents being the public criticisms and trial of Galileo Galilei by the Catholic church for his heliocentric model of the universe.

In essence, the scientific and philosophical advancements in this period stimulated unprecedented intellectual shifts and impacted approaches to governance, positioning empirical evidence and reason as cornerstones for societal advancement. These changes in turn brought about significant political reform and caused contention with the Church, laying the groundwork for future clashes in society and politics.