The popularization of science during the Enlightenment was a significant development that expanded scientific knowledge beyond exclusive scholarly circles. It resulted from the rise of scientific societies, the growth of print culture, and increased public engagement in science. Below are the key elements of this advancement:
Scientific Societies and Academies
The 18th century saw the creation of scientific societies and academies, which replaced universities as the primary institutions for scientific research. Societies like the Royal Society of London (1662) and the Académie Royale des Sciences in Paris (1666) conducted research, hosted experiments, and facilitated collaboration. These organizations became the cornerstone of institutional science, publishing their findings and contributing to the spread of Enlightenment ideals through scientific discovery.
Scientific Publications and Journals
The societies played a critical role in disseminating knowledge by publishing journals such as the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, the first journal devoted solely to science. However, as scientific knowledge became more accessible, independent periodicals and encyclopedias like Diderot and d’Alembert’s Encyclopédie (1751–1772) gained prominence. These publications reached broader audiences, including non-scientists, fostering a culture of scientific literacy.
Popular Engagement with Science
Coffeehouses and public lectures provided venues for public engagement in science. The growing literacy rates and demand for knowledge allowed science to enter popular culture, with works like Fontenelle’s Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds (1686) making complex scientific ideas accessible to a general audience. Public lectures further popularized science by demonstrating experiments to curious laypeople.
The Role of Women in Science
Although women were excluded from formal scientific societies and universities, many made significant contributions. Laura Bassi became a professor of physics in Bologna, and Yekaterina Dashkova led the Russian Imperial Academy of Sciences. Women like Marie-Anne Paulze, who collaborated with her husband Antoine Lavoisier, were integral in translating and illustrating scientific works.
This expansion of science to a wider audience during the Enlightenment helped cement the movement’s influence, laying the groundwork for modern scientific and intellectual culture.
