The expansion and endorsement of intellectualism by many leading forward-thinking scientists created a desire for social revolution, which, in turn, created an atmosphere conducive to further intellectual study . The scientific revolution was, in essence, both a social and intellectual revolution. During the Scientific Revolution, scientists such as Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Francis Bacon, René Descartes, and Christiaan Huygens wrestled with questions regarding God, human intellectualism, and their scientific views of the universe, its purpose, and its workings. Eventually, the implications of these new scientific discoveries began to change the way people thought and behaved. People began to question the widely accepted, Roman Catholic view that endorsed the Aristotelian view of the universe. This has led to questioning traditional views of the state and social structure. The Ptolemaic geocentric model was no longer blindly accepted. The earth was now no longer easily explained or believed to be the center of the universe. Beliefs hundreds of years old were now proven false. In addition to this, the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, which had always maintained that the movement of the universe was controlled by God, was now being questioned by many. In response, this positioned the Roman Catholic Church as a natural opponent of the Scientific Revolution. This was because the new information contradicted the Church's worldview, not because of opposition to the new ideas or scientific exploration itself. Fortunately, the scientific revolution occurred in moderation over about one hundred and fifty years, allowing society and the Church to adapt to new revolutionary thoughts. Nicolaus...... half of the document ...... ul attitudes regarding scientific and religious exploration or because they arrived later during the Revolution and the Church and society were more prepared to receive their messages. Religion was based on personal faith and the guidance of the Church and before the scientific revolution, the Church had extended its power into the world of science. Science and scientists have proven to have the final say, not so much to discredit the Roman Catholic Church, but to dictate a place for science in the world. Ultimately, science and religion remained independent of each other and free from external controls, which allowed each to define the universe and its functioning for itself. Over the many years of the scientific revolution, people were inspired to pursue knowledge for themselves and make social changes, thus achieving both social and intellectual revolutions.