Chapter 9 : Scientific Revolution During the 1500s and 1600s many European thinkers began relying on their own reasoning rather than on traditional beliefs. They developed the scientific method, establishing facts through observation and experimentation. This development, and the development of new instruments, resulted in an explosion of knowledge known as the scientific revolution. The universe was now thought to work according to definite laws, which encouraged people to believe that they could discover the natural laws governing human behavior. Understanding those laws could improve society. The philosopher John Locke concluded that government's authority rested on popular consent and that the people had a right to overthrow an unjust government. The 1700s were known as the Age of Enlightenment, when it was believed that the light of reason would free all people from the darkness of ignorance and superstition.