Sociology

The scientific method of inquiry, which is mainly represented through experimentation and logical analysis (Ritchie 2001 4), is certainly not a concept that has been existent since the earliest points of history. As a matter of fact, prior to establishing such a logical processes of determining truth or defining explanation, the perception of humanity is mainly focused upon matters of faith. To further expound, prior to the Age of Enlightenment, the major points in history that came beforehand highlighted a transition of faith as from the fall of Rome and its deities and to the eventual rise of Christianity (Bishop 1996 8). As one may appropriately assume, matters of life in relation to actions, thoughts, fulfilment, reason, and philosophy would have all been based upon the teachings of the Church during such a period. Eventually, individuals realized the potential of human knowledge and began to consider alternative means of rationally comprehending the occurrences in nature (Porter 2001 2). Therefore, given such a shift from faith to human logic, the Enlightenment is indeed the main phase in history wherein the basic concepts of scientific means of inquiry have been formed.        

Inquiry Prior to the Age of Reason
As aforementioned, prior to the Enlightenment an emphasis upon faith and religious beliefs directed the thoughts of the Western world. In particular, among the greatest icons of the early Middle Ages include grand cathedrals made with strict attention to symbolic detail and majestic design as well as rules driven by the influence and support of the clergy (Perry et al. 2008 265). Taking such details into consideration, it would be appropriate to state that such a period in history would be most associated with the peak of the Churchs power. In relation to this, it would also be proper to assume that during such times the influence of the papacy to every aspect of life was greatest. As a matter of fact, even pursuits to broaden the level of understanding regarding various phenomena was also affected by the rules set by the Church particularly, albeit the fact that a scientific movement was present during such a period, as represented by Robert Grosseteste and Roger Bacon throughout their efforts to further comprehend and utilize nature, it is undeniable that most concepts were still imbued with theology (Perry et al. 2008 265).

In essence, albeit rather distinct from modern manifestations of science in concept and in practice, the emergence scientific pursuits during such a period may be regarded as a proof to the changes that would follow. In fact, challenges to the absolute power of the church would soon arise. Among the most notable of such would be the conflicts between Pope Boniface VIII and Philip IV of France. Specifically, Philip consistently disregarded the laws and reasons of the Church in his actions and did not consider the clergy as immune to his rule (Perry et al. 2008 278). Eventually, as the Middle Age progressed, the focus upon the universal applicability of the knowledge from the Church became overshadowed by the emerging emphasis of non-theological reasoning. William of Ockham was among the first to conceptualise a separation of theological though and natural reason implying that the natural world could not be completely understood through theology as faith cannot be appropriately assessed through natural logic and reason (Brett 1998 46). While the historical developments and shifts in the manner of inquiry may still not be within the Age of Enlightenment, discussing such beforehand is vital in explaining how the scientific method came to be.

Changing Consciousness in the Age of Enlightenment
From reasoning through faith into learning more about the natural world, individuals became aware of the possibility of gaining a better understanding of the world through a scientific manner of thought. However, it is for a fact that during the initial phases of the Age of Reason the concept and potential of science was still not completely realized furthermore, science related pursuits were merely regarded by many as superficial and would not suffice as a means of supporting ones self financially (Outram 2005 94). Therefore, it may be appropriate to say that during such a period in history, science was still considerably underdeveloped as the society still have not grasped the benefits of scientific pursuits. It is during such a phase that the most important characteristics of science, which are vital for its present day success, are still being formed and debated. To further explain, despite the lack of institutions or groups that are dedicated to science during the beginning of the Age of Reason, discussions pertaining to the essence of science and the necessity of unbiased analysis have already been present among certain scholars and philosophers (Outram 2005 94).  

Without doubt, the modern manifestation of science is directly related to procedures wherein rational thinking is maintained, which as aforementioned was still in the formative stages during the Enlightenment. Regardless, the different pursuits to develop additional knowledge in relation to various subjects and areas have been the highlight of the Age of Reason, but without the aforementioned increase in scientific awareness during the previous century, the Enlightenment would not have progressed as it had (Fritzpatrick et al. 2004 10). Through such efforts and progress in knowledge, perceptions and opinions regarding the relevance of science improved as years passed. In this sense, it would be appropriate to assume as well that instead of a using and discussing single aspect of truth based upon theology, the philosophers or scientists who existed throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were able to further classify knowledge to allow for more detailed analysis and in such have also highlighted the role of education (Louden 2007 35). Areas of knowledge as diverse as mathematics and history all benefited from the emergence of the new scientific philosophy. In particular, a new process referred to as the mechanical philosophy allowed for previously misunderstood phenomena to be uncovered and understood through a universal means (Brown 1996 24).    

Scientific Thinkers and Philosophers
The scientific method of inquiry, as it is known today, may be regarded as a refined form of the mechanical philosophy wherein previous hierarchies of power associated with the divine are no longer taken into consideration and reasoning is instead applied (Dupre 2004 25). In relation to this, if such a means of inquiry and discovering the truth regarding natural phenomena were not applied by scientists and philosophers during the Enlightenment, then it would have been possible that the modern scientific method of inquiry would not have been appropriately developed let alone existed. Hence, while it has already been made clear from the previous points of discussion that the changing perceptions regarding logic and reason prior and throughout the Age of Reason is fundamental in the progress of science, which of course is vital in the formation of the scientific method, it still has not been thoroughly explained how the present day scientific means of inquiry came to be through the occurrences in the aforesaid period in Western history. In this sense, it would be most proper to delineate the efforts of the individuals who undoubtedly were essential in how the modern scientific method was established specifically, the pursuits and perspectives of both Isaac Newton and John Locke should be discussed.

Isaac Newton and Empiricism
Isaac Newton, who of course is widely known in modern society, is among the first scientists who highlighted the necessity of determining validity through tangible information and empirical means (Kleiner 2008 757).  In relation to this, it would not be difficult to take note of the similarity between Newtons empirical views and the modern means of experimentation. Despite the fact that the presence of numerous specializations in science in todays society indicated distinctions in terms of specific practice and methodologies, it would still be appropriate to state that central to each scientific study would be the core considerations of experimentation (Gauch 2002 2). Such core concepts and requirements are reflected through Newtons concept of how a truth and discoveries should be arrived at. Thus, in order to further explain the importance of Newton to the development of the scientific means of inquiry, it would be necessary to discuss some of the experiments that Newton accomplished throughout his life which may be regarded as the reasons for attaining worldwide recognition in science. As a matter of fact, the analysis of the reliability of the scientific method is often associated with the manner in which Newton completed experiments and formed conclusions (Scheurer and Debrock 1988 123).

During the enlightenment, one of the most concerning aspects that hindered the perceived reliability of science was the lack of rational understanding regarding the natural processes of physics and dynamics (Westfall 1994 159).  Hence, appropriate scientific concepts regarding planetary motion, and most importantly gravity, were still nonexistent prior to Newtons pursuits of computation and experimentation. In relation to this, Newton conceptualized means to elucidate the interactions between mass and gravity through empirical pursuits which brought forth the famous Newtons apple.

Specifically, the experiments of Newton involved the use of apples and other objects so as to show the interconnections between the concept of gravitational pull and free fall to further explain, notions of a universal rule regarding the movement of all objects in the universe became understandable due to such a discovery (Giordano 2009 150). Expectedly though, Newtons concepts were initially not well received by intellectuals, such as Hooke, as initial doubt regarding the concept of gravity and free fall became unavoidable (Djerassi and Pinner 2004 75). It is undeniable that Newtons discoveries became an essential tool for the progress of science, as empirical means of experimentation and explanations through computation, such as in the discussions of Newton regarding the interaction of heavenly bodies (Newton 1966 415), were examples of how scientific proof should be developed.

In relation to this, Newton also successfully accomplished a method for establishing reconciliation among the partly unified yet mainly conflicting findings during his time in particular, Newton wrote the Rules of Reasoning in Philosophy (Gower 1996 69). In general, the rules that Newton wrote of pertained to the essence of conclusions as well as the manner of understanding both tangible and intangible phenomena. Hence, even though observable proof would still be among the most reliable source of information in scientific pursuits, Newton points out that through appropriate mathematical procedures and inductive reasoning such aspects may be accurately and precisely understood and evaluated (Gower 1996 70). In this sense, such concepts of Newton further highlight the appropriateness of associating the development of the scientific method of inquiry to such an individual during the Age of Reason. As a matter of fact, despite the reliance of most scientists upon the presence of observable information during such a period, Newtons perception of mathematics and assessing the unobservable is indeed similar to modern scientific inquiries and the use of the scientific method. In a way, due to the breakthroughs that Newton was able to achieve through the use of a scientific set of rules in experimentation, it may be concluded that his success is essential in gaining acceptance for the unified scientific method of inquiry.

Scientific Wisdom and John Locke
The efforts of Newton and the success of his concepts have affected other notable figures in relation to the methods of achieving understanding. In order words, Newtons accomplishments may be considered as essential in how the scientific method became a widespread practice among philosophers and scientists alike. As noted by various figures in literature, while John Locke was not necessarily concerned with physics but instead has been more adept in the fields of medicine and politics, a strong influence derived from Newtons empirical views may undeniably be observed in Lockes accomplishments (Glausser 1998 4). To further expound, it may be assumed that prior to the Enlightenment, the use of empirical means of analysis was barely a consideration in philosophy and the study of the society. However, upon having written the Essay concerning Human Understanding, Locke was able to initiate a shift of focus in understanding the different tendencies of humans and the formation of human thought (Hume and Millican 2007 xvii). Basically, instead of considering human thinking as a predetermined aspect of humanity, Locke pointed out the possibility of gaining knowledge through ones actions. In this sense, Locke regarded each individual as free from innate ideas upon birth interestingly, Locke was also able to incorporate Newtons Rules of Reasoning in his attempts to further explain the processes of human consciousness and learning (Hume and Millican 2007 79). Hence, albeit indirectly involved with the use of the scientific method in his pursuits, Lockes success in his endeavours may be regarded as an important beginning to how scientific pursuits in politics and social sciences are accomplished nowadays.  

Conclusion
In general, the Enlightenment was indeed essential in the development of the scientific method of inquiry due to several reasons. The emphasis upon science, or natural and mechanical philosophy, as well as the increasing interest upon attaining a greater understanding of the world may is vital in increasing the relevance of science in the Western world.  Of course, throughout the process of attaining acceptance, scientists needed a process in which disputes regarding findings would be considerably minimized and also required a means of enhancing the reliability of the information derived from studies. In this sense, the scientific method of inquiry was formed and eventually, albeit also possibly further improved as time progressed, became a universal aspect in completing scientific pursuits. Therefore, it may be concluded that the increasing significance of science during the Enlightenment gave birth to the necessity of having a reliable means of experimentation, which of course is the scientific method of inquiry.