Copernican Revolution (philosophical)

The Copernican Revolution was a major shift in scientific thinking during the 16th century, when Nicolaus Copernicus proposed that Earth and other planets orbit the Sun, rather than Earth being the universe's center. This challenged the long-held geocentric view rooted in ancient philosophy and religious doctrine. Philosophically, it transformed how humans viewed their place in the universe, promoting a shift from a human-centered perspective to a more scientific, heliocentric understanding. This change laid the groundwork for modern astronomy and significantly influenced scientific inquiry, emphasizing observation and evidence over tradition and authority.