In the 16th and 17th centuries, many learned facts were governed by the Scripture. They were also governed by the government itself as well as the views of the people. Science was regarded as something that was made "true" by the people and the Scripture. It was not something that was allowed much space to change and expand in its knowledge. Science was greatly influenced by how the Scripture and God described it's discoveries, along with how the government and the people thought of the discoveries, using their opinions instead of agreeing with newly proven facts that were falsifying their previous opinions.
Religion was a huge factor when it came to science in the 16th and 17th centuries. In reality, religion was the final say in an argument about physical facts, because people did not have the technological advancements to prove that their discoveries made the Scripture's sayings wrong. John Calvin wrote "for astronomy is not only pleasant, but also very useful; it cannot be denied that this art unfolds the admirable wisdom of God." He was a religious person, and believed that astronomy was something that could prove the genius in God's work. Others like Walter Charleton and Gottfried Leibniz also described their work based on that from the Scripture and God, like how "God governs minds"(Leibniz) and "The creation and arrangement of the atoms can be connected to no other cause, but to an Infinite Wisdom and Power"(Charleton). At times, like in 1543, religion was a great thing. Pope Paul III was a lover of writing and science. Nicolaus Copernicus said "by your influence and judgement, can readily hold the slanderers from biting" to the Pope. He was stating that the Pope, with his papal command, could keep the public from regarding his scientific breakthroughs with mockery and contempt. This was a fantastic advantage for Copernicus.
In the image of the drawing to commemorate XIV's visit to the French Royal Academy, it shows how the government really had an affect on the ideas and discoveries the scientists had. Louis XIV had actually gone to the Academy to see what was being discovered and thought up there. One could sum up from the drawing that he wanted to know what was going on there, and what he could use to his advantage in battle or economical advancements. To prove this point, a letter written by Jean Baptiste Colbert talks about how the State wants to maintain its power abroad and having an "abundant wealth" by creating a flourish of the arts and sciences to keep itself happy. They had actually had to persuade the people to create more academies for the arts and sciences. The government, in a way, was selfish in wanting so many advantages, but this was also an advantage for the people, who would have more job opportunities ascertaining to those two fields of work. People could make more money and live more lavishly than they had before because of the government's yearn for more power.
The people also had a great say in what went on with the sciences. They had group opinions that could sway another group into agreeing with their opinion on the matter, when it came to the science breakthroughs. Margaret Cavendish talks about wanting to start up a school herself, but there were problems with her idea. Because of the majority of the wealthy and powerful people being men, women would have a harder time being heard.
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