1) Factors contributing to the scientific revolution:

• economic expansion of xvi cent., partially fueled by American gold and silver (Cerro Rico), creates a need for new technology (mining pumps, casting techniques, water loom, spring watch) and better transportation, irrigation, building, etc. This creates a new role for the technician and the engineer.
  

NOTE: however, the figure of the professional scientist begins in the 1800's; moreover, most scientists in the 1600' and 1700's work outside universities, and associate though academies, scientific societies and their publications.

• perfect assimilation of ancient science, made possible by new editions and translations of Greek scientific texts (e.g., Euclid's Elements; Apollonius' Conics, Archimedes' work, Hero's Pneumatica)
  
• the belief, present in the Aristotelian tradition, that nature is ultimately intelligible through a combination of sensation and reason
  
• the belief, present in Renaissance Neo-platonism, that the magician could acquire power over nature by discovering the hidden mathematical relation which have a mystical and religious significance (e.g. Kepler and the 5 solids)
  

• heliocentrism deprives us of our focal position in the universe, and is in conflict with a literal reading of the Bible: this calls into question the leading role of the church, or religion, in cultural issues.
  

NOTE: here 3 main "solutions" were pursued:

1. Scripture ought to be interpreted in the light of established scientific theory (e.g.Galileo's and perhaps the Church’s view); but when is a theory established?
   
2. the Scriptures and science have nothing to do with each other (e.g. Bacon's view and at times Galileo’s as well);
   
3. some sort of dissimulation is necessary, e.g., by taking an "instrumentalist" view of theories (e.g. Copernicus, Galileo at times, Descartes)
   

mechanism (often understood as atomism) was traditionally associated with world views which rejected final causes and a God operating in the world to activate them. In addition, the distinction between primary and secondary qualities raises problems about the epistemological value of sensation and the nature of a world without colors or sounds.

the possibility that physical explanation could be extended to human beings, thus making us part of nature (naturalism)

"the equality of intelligences": science uses methods which are open to all and don't presuppose any religious initiations or special enlightenment beyond what's natural to humans. Hence, the separation of humankind into "philosophers" and the vulgar (e.g. Plato, Aristotle-Averroes) is unjustified. This has political repercussions because it undermines the image of the "noble lie" and sows the seeds of democracy.

the rejection of the exemplary character of classical culture (against Humanism and the Renaissance) and of tradition. This too had political implications because it eliminates the presumption that tradition is correct.