Humanities

[Name of the Institute]

Humanities

What were the principal scientific movements of the seventeenth century? How are they reflected in today's understanding of the role of science in today's management and leadership theories and practice?

The seventeenth century was a period when the world gained a sense of rational thinking or view. Moreover, it was a period which many historians have termed as a time of “scientific revolution,” when some of the major scientific discoveries took place. The scientific revolution as understood by the historians and scientists was the dawning of an era of modern science which brought about extensive developments in chemistry, biology, astronomy, developed role of mathematics, physics, biology, mechanical and chemical philosophy, empiricism and medicine. As a result, the world view regarding nature as well as society changed. The scientific revolution continued throughout much of the eighteenth century as well thereby influencing the popular social movement known as “the Enlightenment” (Espinoza, 2005). Moreover, he also successfully emphasized the idea of experimentation to build upon any scientific theories (Westfall, 1980).

The scientific legacy that the seventeenth century left us therefore reflects three main principles. The first was the rationale that in order to further scientific knowledge, experimentation is crucial. Secondly, skepticism and caution were positive traits to adopt in any scientific or social proceedings. Thirdly, the assumption that all scientific reasoning is formed on the basis of reason, observation and most importantly, quantification. Therefore, the division between primary qualities like the figure and motion were considered as real, and secondary qualities like sound and color were labeled as subjective (Matthews, 1989). Moreover, the view that physical reality is basically matter in motion as well the development of quantitative views in relation to nature rather than the more traditional qualitative views also emerged (Jones, 1979). Such approaches gave rise to the issues concerning free will as well as determinism along with the relation between appearances and reality. This served to highlight dualism which helped form a link between materialism and Christian values and beliefs (Quigley, 1997).

If we analyze contemporary management and leadership theories; it can be easily ascertained that they have evolved out of the early developments in the field of management and historic scientific principles. Seventeenth century scientific and rationalistic notions have led to the emergence of theories based on everyday management as an everyday activity via efficient co-ordination. Management theorists capitalized on the principles of scientific study i.e. experimentation, skepticism and observation. Drucker, a famous theorist and scholar in the field of management has only emphasized the importance of linking knowledge with a systematic and purposeful approach, the only method of gaining efficient results much like the theory of experimentation and reason. He proclaimed this method as a way of yielding economic as well as personal success via successful management (Boyette et al, 1998).

Consider Galileo's scientific accomplishments and evaluate their far-reaching effects on the world of scientific inquiry.

Galileo's scientific accomplishments advanced scientific thought and discovery to a great extent. Pre Galileo science has now come to be known ...