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What impact has absolutism had on the development of science and technology?

Roscoe Oels

In my opinion, absolutism had both positive and negative impacts on the development of science and technology. On one hand, absolute monarchs like Louis XIV in France invested heavily in scientific research and technology. They gave grants and built scientific establishments like academies and laboratories, which enabled many scientists to develop their research and inventions.

Furthermore, the absolute monarchs had absolute control over society. They could direct the resources of the state towards scientific research and technological development without any interference or opposition from the nobles, bureaucrats, or wealthy merchants. In this way, the development of science and technology was not hindered by any external factors, and the monarchs were able to create conducive environments that fostered innovation and experimentation.

However, the negative impact of absolutism on science and technology was more pronounced. Absolute monarchs had the power to control and regulate the activities of scientists and inventors. They could censor their work, and prevent them from publishing or disseminating their ideas if they deemed them politically or religiously incorrect.

Furthermore, absolute monarchs were more interested in commercial and military applications of science and technology rather than the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. This meant that the scientific agenda of the time was often focused on developing weapons, machinery, and other products that could be used to assert the power and dominance of the state.

The other negative impact of absolutism on the development of science and technology was that it suppressed critical thinking and dissent. Scientists and inventors who questioned the established theories or challenged the whims of the monarchs were often punished or exiled. This created an atmosphere of fear and discouraged innovation and experimentation. As a result, many scientists and inventors went underground and shared their ideas secretly, which slowed down the progress of science and technology.

In conclusion, the impact of absolutism on the development of science and technology was both positive and negative. While absolutism provided a conducive environment for scientific research and technological development, it also stifled critical thinking, suppressed dissent, and focused too much on commercial and military applications of science and technology at the expense of pure knowledge. Overall, the legacy of absolutism on science and technology is a mixed one, and the debate about its impact continues to this day.