Discuss the view that the Scientific Revolution overturned accepted belief systems.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the impact on accepted beliefs of the Scientific Revolution. Candidates may choose to support or challenge the presented view, or they may find the middle ground and suggest that the Scientific Revolution had some, albeit limited, effects on accepted belief systems. Candidates may argue that the overturning of accepted belief systems happened only very slowly and depended on what part of society was being discussed. Examples of enduring superstition remained with the last example of a woman being executed for witchcraft in Europe taking place in Switzerland in 1782. Some may argue that the Church remained strong and it was not until the 18th century that these ideas became widespread during the Enlightenment. There may be some discussion of the work of key figures such as Newton, Harvey, Galileo and how it affected belief systems.