Question

how was science able to progress in france and in england during the 17th century?

Answer 1

During the beginning of the 17th century the philosophers were busy in framing theories and describing experiments to the people. These theories and experiments drew attention from almost every curious mind, noble, rich and poor alike. During those times, the theories and experiments were explained and demonstrated to explain a natural process or phenomena. Psychology of the people, especially the people following Christianity were open to learn, understand, and explore nature and how it functions. People were eager to know how nature worked and affected life. Thus, people became the source of inspiration for the inventors and discoverers to invent and discover new things.

Research always requires funding and the same were provided by the royal families or by the industrialists, other rich families. The philosophers, mathematicians, biologists, physicists, physicians, chemists, etc., were provided money to set up their own laboratories and were asked to find things that were not known or for those where there were no explanations.

Due to the prevalence of common infections, allergies, diseases, etc., health care and medicine science flourished in both England and France. Since, health issues were a problem in that time period, the politicians, and industrialists used the new drugs to draw attention of the people and gain their support. Due to this mutual growth for the people, science and the researchers prevailed.

The invention of telescopes, lever based instruments, etc., paved way for security and quality control during those days. Since most works depended on man power, the errors were high and loss of life or materials were high too. Hence, in order to minimize the loss, inventors were asked to give inventions or theories that shall help to control loss. Example: the use of telescopes to understand night skies save many ships from getting drowned.

The science and politics were entwined, in a way, during the 17th century. Philosophers enjoyed followers, students, admirers. This paved way for the politicians to support the researchers, establish laboratories, schools, etc., for the people to learn, use and implement science for mankind. This resulted in the beginning of the scientific revolution. Politicians, in a way were responsible for the progress of science in France and England.

Besides these, the competition between the inventors and discoverers also fuelled the progress of science. The researchers wanted to identify, invent or discover things ahead of others. Also, the frequent conflicts with the neighboring countries and the foreign invaders resulted in the development of military science. Need for the sophisticated and dangerous safety system also became the fuel for the inventions of new attack and defense equipments.

Thus, in the above mentioned ways, science was able to progress in France and in England.