Question

Write a careful account of how the world appeared different to seventeenth-century Europeans.

Answer 1

By the end of the 17th century, the world had stepped into the modern age. This was the age of modern and rational thinking, an age that questioned old ideas and beliefs. These new thoughts enabled man to see the world in an entirely different light than what he did before.

The world in the 17th century was very different from the bygone 16th century.

Evolution of Modern Science and Philosophy

The 17th century has often been referred to as the Age of scientific revolution. Scientific finds of this period changed the way man perceived the world. The age of scientific revolution moved a step ahead from the preceding age of Enlightenment by explaining the relationship of man with nature. Men like Rene Descartes (philosopher) and Isaac Newton (mathematician) went ahead the authority of medieval intellectuals such as Galen, Aristotle and Plato. All available ideas of the medieval age had to pass through the litmus test of 'doubt' to be established as the 'truth.' This new idea of the 'truth' created a world that was very different from what existed earlier. This idea of scepticism was the determining factor that led to the questioning of the Church's authority too.

Age of Military Revolution

The 17th century has also been referred to as the period of military revolution of the pre-modern age. The zeal for colonisation led the Dutch, English, French, Spanish and Portuguese to fight repeated wars in the colonies and in the Europe too. This fostered the spirit for technological military inventions, which could assure an upper hand in the wars.

Thus, the 17th century can be regarded as a big leap, from ignorance to awareness, for the Europeans. The European world was more progressive than in the past century.