Here's what changed:
* From Ancient Greek Philosophy to Empirical Observation: Before the Scientific Revolution, scientific thought was heavily influenced by ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle. Their theories were accepted as truth and were rarely challenged. The Scientific Revolution ushered in a new era where scientific inquiry was based on empirical observation, experimentation, and mathematical analysis.
* The Rise of the Scientific Method: The Scientific Revolution popularized the scientific method, a systematic approach to investigating phenomena. This method emphasized observation, experimentation, and the development of testable hypotheses, helping to ensure that scientific ideas were supported by evidence.
* Emphasis on Reason and Logic: The Scientific Revolution promoted a reliance on reason and logic in scientific inquiry. Scientists began to question established theories and develop new ones based on evidence and logical reasoning.
However, the process of fitting new ideas into existing knowledge didn't disappear:
* Paradigm Shifts: The philosopher Thomas Kuhn described how science progresses through "paradigm shifts." This means that sometimes new scientific ideas are so revolutionary that they fundamentally change how we understand the world. These new ideas often challenge the existing paradigm, creating a period of conflict and debate before they become accepted.
* Integration and Modification: Scientists continually work to integrate new findings into existing frameworks of understanding. This often involves modifying existing theories or developing entirely new ones to accommodate the new information.
In conclusion:
The Scientific Revolution changed how scientists approached their work, emphasizing empirical observation, experimentation, and reason. However, the process of fitting new ideas into existing knowledge is an ongoing one. Scientists constantly strive to make their new ideas fit within the current scientific understanding while also being prepared to challenge existing paradigms when necessary.