The Copernican Principle

The Copernican Principle suggests that Earth and humanity do not occupy a special or central position in the universe. It implies that our location in space and time is typical, meaning the universe is vast and uniform enough that we shouldn’t assume we’re in a unique place or moment. This idea shifted our view from Earth at the center of everything to a more balanced perspective, inspiring scientists to explore the universe broadly, believing that its laws and structures are consistent throughout.