Final answer:
The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment both encouraged the spread of new ideas through critical examination of traditional beliefs using reason and empirical observation, leading to significant social and political changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
One way in which the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment were similar is that they encouraged the spread of new ideas. Both movements were characterized by a critical spirit that challenged traditional beliefs and endorsed empirical observation and rationalism. The Scientific Revolution presented a universe governed by universal laws, influencing Enlightenment thinkers to apply reason to re-evaluate human institutions, which led to social and political transformation. These transformations included the questioning of absolutism, the rise of social contract theories by philosophers like John Locke, and ultimately inspired revolutionary changes such as the American Revolution and the French Revolution.