Final answer:
European scientific thinking between the 16th and 18th centuries evolved to focus on empirical evidence, adopted the heliocentric view, developed the scientific method, and expanded knowledge through exploration, leading to the Enlightenment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Between the 16th and 18th centuries, European scientific thinking underwent significant transformation marked by a few critical developments:
- Increased reliance on empirical observation and experimentation: There was a move away from relying solely on abstract reasoning towards gathering knowledge through empirical evidence and experimentation, embodying a critical spirit that questioned traditional notions and sought to understand the natural world.
- Shift from a geocentric to a heliocentric view of the universe: The concept of the Earth being at the center of the universe was replaced by the sun-centered (heliocentric) model, challenging longstanding beliefs and setting the stage for modern astronomy.
- Development of the scientific method: A systematic approach to inquiry emerged, involving observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, and conclusion, solidifying the process of scientific investigation.
- Expansion of scientific knowledge through exploration and discovery: Enlightenment thinkers promoted the exploration of scientific concepts, shedding light on traditional beliefs and fueling the progress of modernization and the spread of capitalism.
These principles provided the groundwork for what came to be known as the Enlightenment, a period characterized by intellectual innovation and the questioning of traditional structures and ideas.