As a result of Isaac Newton's discoveries, what was believed possible?

Isaac Newton's work fundamentally revolutionized the understanding of natural philosophy, leading to the belief that the laws governing the universe could be identified and explained systematically. His formulation of the laws of motion and universal gravitation established a framework through which the physical world could be understood in a coherent manner. This was a pivotal shift; prior to Newton, explanations of natural phenomena were often based on philosophical speculation or religious doctrine rather than empirical evidence and mathematical reasoning.

By demonstrating that the same physical laws apply universally—regardless of the scale or context—Newton laid the groundwork for modern physics and astronomy, allowing future scientists to predict and describe a wide variety of natural occurrences with remarkable accuracy. This believed universality of the laws formed a basis for scientific inquiry that continues to influence various scientific disciplines today.

While creating new scientific theories, developing new technologies, and improving mathematical calculations are all significant outcomes of Newton's impact on science, the core of his contribution was the ability to identify and explain the underlying laws that govern the physical universe, which shifted the trajectory of scientific thought.