Changes

Advances in science had led to principles and laws that were knowable and unchanging as described within a [[Naturalism (philosophy)|naturalistic framework]]. The advances in mathematics and chemistry were especially strong. This idea of knowledge that could be observed apart from a direct explanation dealing with God led to a change in philosophical ideals, where man could shape and determine his own destiny including areas outside of science such as social and political realities. In a sense mans' view of his own ability to bring about change and a trust in himself to determine what that change needed to be crystallized in the thought process of the times among the philosophical elite. Writers during the Enlightenment assumed that all branches of science could emulate the achievements in physics of through a systematic and logical approach. However, [[Isaac Newton]], perhaps the greatest enlightenment scientist, rejected [[atheism|atheistic]] explanations and instead embraced and expanded [[Biblical scientific foreknowledge|scientific foreknowledge]].