What characterized scientific thought during the Renaissance?

During the Renaissance, a significant shift occurred in scientific thought characterized by empirical observation and experimentation. This period marked a departure from the medieval scholastic focus that emphasized ancient texts and doctrines. Thinkers began to prioritize direct observation of the natural world and sought to understand it through experimentation and evidence-based reasoning. This approach laid the groundwork for the Scientific Revolution that followed, where inquiry and methodologies such as the scientific method were developed and refined.

The emphasis on empirical evidence allowed for discoveries that challenged long-held beliefs and led to advancements in various scientific fields. Key figures of the Renaissance, like Galileo and Copernicus, conducted experiments and made observations that fundamentally changed humanity's understanding of the universe. This spirit of inquiry, skepticism, and reliance on observation was a hallmark of Renaissance thought, distinguishing it from earlier periods that often accepted established doctrines without question.