7

Science in the Middle Ages

7.1 Europe (1450–1550)

The contacts with the Arabs, and through them, with the Orient, together with the socio-economic changes which took place in Europe, led to a cultural as well as scientific renaissance in Europe. While the initial result of this exposure was a blind faith in all that was paraded as ancient wisdom, with the backing of the Church, gradually this resulted in a true spirit of inquiry and fearless pursuit of knowledge.

Modern science is the creation of the urban society that came into existence during the Renaissance, in Europe. This society was dominated by financiers, merchants, and craftsmen. Their wealth was dependent upon trade, crafts, and the application of technology. So they had a keen ...

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