Final answer:
The Scientific Revolution is best described as the period marking the beginning of modern science, characterized by the search for new understandings through reason and empirical observation. It paved the way for the Enlightenment, where thinkers like Newton influenced a more rational examination of the universe and human institutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best description of the Scientific Revolution is c. the beginning of modern science where thinkers looked for a new understanding of the world. This period, characterized mainly by the 16th and 17th centuries, marked a profound shift in the way humans understood the cosmos and their place within it. It established the view that the universe operated in an orderly and rational manner, laying the groundwork for modern science through empirical observation and challenging traditional doctrines.
The Scientific Revolution not only transformed fields of science but also had a significant impact on society, with its ideas setting the stage for the Enlightenment. Philosophers such as Newton proposed rational explanations for the functions of the universe, which inspired critical examination of human institutions and traditional beliefs. This period represented a departure from superstition and metaphysical explanations towards a methodology based on reason, evidence, and the scientific method.
During the Enlightenment, thinkers like Rousseau, Diderot, and Voltaire applied the critical spirit of the Scientific Revolution to other aspects of society, including government, religion, and economics. The exchange of ideas and the quest for knowledge that characterized this era played a crucial role in shaping modern Western thought and institutions.