Question

In this activity, you will discuss the relationship between the scientific revolution and the Enlightenment. Would the Enlightenment have been possible if the scientific revolution had not occurred first?

Answer 1

Theoretically, it would seem that the Enlightenment would not have been possible without the Scientific Revolution (or something like it) happening first.  Or perhaps two movements like those could have occurred simultaneously.  In any case, they are certainly closely related.

The Scientific Revolution questioned superstition and traditional beliefs that had not been investigated.  The Enlightenment championed this approach to knowledge, emphasizing the use of reason in all matters, in contrast to following superstition or unquestioningly accepting traditional beliefs.  

The Scientific Revolution showed that there are natural laws in place in the physical world and in the universe at large.  Applying similar principles to matters like government and society, Enlightenment thinkers believed that using reason will guide us to the best ways to operate politically so we can create the most beneficial conditions for society.  For many Enlightenment thinkers, this included a conviction that all human beings have certain natural rights which are to be protected and preserved.    This led to changes of approach to how society should be governed -- moving away from ideas like the "divine right of kings" to the establishment of more democratic, constitutional societies.

Answer 2

The Scientific Revolution was one of the factors that caused the Enlightenment. However, it depends on which entities of the Enlightenment you are focusing on.

When we think of the Enlightenment, we tend to think of philosophers first. This is because the Enlightenment was not a purely scientific movement, but more of a wide-ranged intellectual time. Ideas from thinkers like Galileo, Copernicus, Isaac Newton, etc, were produced in the Scientific Revolution, and merely built off of in the Enlightenment.

You see, thinkers during the Enlightenment wanted to question the many beliefs that were set during the Dark Ages, which also meant going up against large, powerful opposition, like the Catholic Church. The ideas that came out of the Scientific Revolution gave Enlightenment thinkers the facts they would use when creating their theories. Armed with these facts, they could debunk the ridiculous theories that others had set in the past.

So finally, to answer your question, it is probable that the Enlightenment would have started nevertheless, but it is unlikely that the ideas of its thinkers would have made such an impact without the Scientific Revolution.

Hope it helps!