Question

You are a university student during the late 1600s, and it seems that the world

as you know it has turned upside down. An English scientist named Isaac
Newton has just theorized that the universe is not a dark mystery but a system
whose parts work together in ways that can be expressed mathematically. This is
just the latest in a series of arguments that have challenged old ways of thinking
in fields from astronomy to medicine. Many of these ideas promise to open the
way for improving society. And yet they are such radical ideas that many people
refuse to accept them.
A This painting by English artist Joseph Wright depicts adults and children

Why might people have difficulty accepting new ideas or ways of thinking during the late 1600s, as described in the scenario?

A) Fear of challenging traditional beliefs and authorities
B) Lack of access to information and education
C) Religious dogma and orthodoxy
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Answer 1

People in the late 1600s found it challenging to accept new ideas due to fear of contradicting traditional beliefs, lack of education and information, and religious orthodoxy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Challenges to Accepting New Ideas in the Late 1600s

During the late 1600s, the difficulty in accepting new ways of thinking stemmed from a variety of factors. Fear of challenging traditional beliefs and authorities loomed large as these new ideas, like those proposed by Isaac Newton, contradicted the longstanding views held by society and reinforced by religious institutions. Moreover, lack of access to education and information made it difficult for people to learn about and understand these revolutionary concepts. Lastly, religious dogma and orthodoxy held a tight grip on people's worldview, and notions such as a heliocentric universe opposed deeply held beliefs, making it challenging for the public to embrace these radical changes.