In another thread, I saw something that inspired this one:
So, lets say this Pope, whom we'll call Matthew I, replaces Paschal II. The scientific method, or something reasonably close to it, is thus considered very Christian, and the Catholic Church strongly encourages scientific investigation, and technological progress, starting in the 12th century.
So, how quickly would science and technology advance, and what other changes come from this?
For whatever reason, the idea that reasoned theories are only as valid s the experiments comes forth earlier--i.e. Aristotle's philosophy is shown as invalid. Perhaps a theologian reasons the following:
"We can only understand God if we understand the world He created for us. Let us go forth and examine it. The phiilosophers and scientists are not God, therefore they are falible."
Logical--and then this theologian becomes Pope, and can put his thoughts into church doctrine.
So, lets say this Pope, whom we'll call Matthew I, replaces Paschal II. The scientific method, or something reasonably close to it, is thus considered very Christian, and the Catholic Church strongly encourages scientific investigation, and technological progress, starting in the 12th century.
So, how quickly would science and technology advance, and what other changes come from this?