Evolution of Scientific Models: Ptolemaic to Quantum Physics

Ptolemaic, Newtonian, and Quantum Models

The Ptolemaic Model

Considering the nature of mathematics, where experience will be the starting point for establishing general laws, the Ptolemaic Cosmovision model was imposed by Ptolemy. Both defended the Aristotelian geocentric consideration, but the Ptolemaic era was considered more precise and complex, and therefore synonymous with perfection and divine power in the Middle Ages.

The Newtonian Model (19th Century)

The Newtonian Model is characterized by:

• It sees nature as an autonomous reality that must be considered with operational intent, not contemplative.
• It encourages reflection on the scientific method (observation, applying mathematics, experimentation).
• A new way of seeing the world to try to explain (Copernican) and puts the Sun as the center of the universe (heliocentric).
• New laws were made to scientifically explain the behavior of the universe: Copernicus, Bacon, Galileo, Descartes, Newton.

Newtonian Worldview

• Heliocentric model (since Copernicus).
• Disappearance of dividing the universe into two regions.
• Unification of terrestrial and celestial physics, both in law and in the material composition that make up the universe.
• The idea of the Solar System within the Milky Way.

The Quantum Model (20th Century)

The Quantum Model is characterized by:

• Working as a team investigator in connection with other scientists from the same field (scientific communities).
• The new physics considers that energy is transmitted in units or quanta (not continuously).
• This new explanation plays a fundamental role of probability; the world of causal connections only serves to explain the phenomena of the macrocosm, not the microcosm.
• Now chance is present, and connections between phenomena are beyond our comprehension.
• In the microscopic world, chaos rules, not chance mechanics.
• New laws serve to explain the behavior of the quantum world: Planck, Heisenberg, Bohr, Einstein.

Ptolemaic, Newtonian, and Quantum Models

The Ptolemaic Model

Considering the nature of mathematics, where experience will be the starting point for establishing general laws, the Ptolemaic Cosmovision model was imposed by Ptolemy. Both defended the Aristotelian geocentric consideration, but the Ptolemaic era was considered more precise and complex, and therefore synonymous with perfection and divine power in the Middle Ages.

The Newtonian Model (19th Century)

The Newtonian Model is characterized by:

• It sees nature as an autonomous reality that must be considered with operational intent, not contemplative.
• It encourages reflection on the scientific method (observation, applying mathematics, experimentation).
• A new way of seeing the world to try to explain (Copernican) and puts the Sun as the center of the universe (heliocentric).
• New laws were made to scientifically explain the behavior of the universe: Copernicus, Bacon, Galileo, Descartes, Newton.

Newtonian Worldview

• Heliocentric model (since Copernicus).
• Disappearance of dividing the universe into two regions.
• Unification of terrestrial and celestial physics, both in law and in the material composition that make up the universe.
• The idea of the Solar System within the Milky Way.

The Quantum Model (20th Century)

The Quantum Model is characterized by:

• Working as a team investigator in connection with other scientists from the same field (scientific communities).
• The new physics considers that energy is transmitted in units or quanta (not continuously).
• This new explanation plays a fundamental role of probability; the world of causal connections only serves to explain the phenomena of the macrocosm, not the microcosm.
• Now chance is present, and connections between phenomena are beyond our comprehension.
• In the microscopic world, chaos rules, not chance mechanics.
• New laws serve to explain the behavior of the quantum world: Planck, Heisenberg, Bohr, Einstein.