Enlightenment Science Emergence

The 16th-century developments paved the way for enlightenment science by challenging scholastic and religious orthodoxies. Humanist and reformist movements encouraged new thinking based on direct experience rather than traditional wisdom. Scientific advancements around the 17th century were not only driven by epistemological changes and cultural factors but also by economic motives, notably the pursuit of wealth through endeavors like alchemy and navigational tools crucial for the exploitation of the New World.