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How did democracy in England influence the scientific revolution?

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Final answer:

Democracy in England promoted a culture of critical thinking and skepticism, which supported the environment needed for the Scientific Revolution. The Enlightenment, influenced by the rationalism of the Scientific Revolution, further encouraged the re-evaluation of government and societal structures using scientific principles.

Step-by-step explanation:

Democracy in England influenced the Scientific Revolution through a series of political and religious transformations that encouraged critical thinking and challenged traditional authority. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Enlightenment thinkers were inspired by the Scientific Revolution's empirical approach to understanding the universe.

This rational thinking led to questioning the absolutist rule and traditional structures in England, paving the way for a constitutional monarchy that limited the king's powers. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the subsequent changes in the English political landscape played a significant role in shifting the mindset toward valuing reason and observation over superstition and divine right, which was a cornerstone in the progress of scientific thought.

The Enlightenment period further carried these ideas into the fabric of society, seeing governments and institutions as entities that could be improved upon using reason and scientific principles, much like Newton's laws had done for understanding the physical world. The democratic tradition in England contributed to an environment in which there was the intellectual freedom to debate and discuss, which was crucial for nurturing the curiosity and skepticism that defined the Scientific Revolution.

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