Final answer:
The shift from an organic to a mechanistic view of nature was driven by the mechanization of the Industrial Revolution, the expansion of scientific understanding through the work of naturalists like Hutton and Darwin, and the profound societal transformations that accompanied these changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The change from an organic to a mechanistic view of nature occurred largely as the result of technological advancements, the Industrial Revolution, and the development of scientific thinking. Mechanization began in the late 1700s with western European nations and set the stage for the Industrial Revolution, replacing labor-intensive methods with the efficiency of machines. This technological shift allowed for a socio-economic transition from agricultural and handicraft production to an industry-dominated manufacturing system.
Furthermore, the scientific discoveries of naturalists like James Hutton and Charles Lyell, and the theory of natural selection proposed by Charles Darwin, played a crucial role in shaping a mechanistic perspective. Hutton introduced the idea that geological changes occurred gradually, which strongly differed from the catastrophic views that were previously held. Lyell and Darwin extended this gradualist view to biological evolution, emphasizing natural processes over divine intervention.
The exponential growth in human population, coupled with intense mechanization, ushered in significant shifts in the interrelationships among people, their governments, and ecosystems. These changes were profound, touching every aspect of human life, from political systems and schools to the global economy and religious beliefs.