Science, Technology and Society(STS)

Mark Carmelo A.Azor [email protected] 09107959979

 Science, Technology and Society(STS)

Intellectual Revolutions that defined society

MODULE 3
Intellectual Revolutions that defined society

INTRODUCTION

This lesson presents the intellectual revolutions

that changed the way people perceive the influence of
science on society in general. It focuses on the most
important intellectual revolutions in history: Copernican,
Darwinian, and Freudian. Through discussing these
intellectual revolutions in the aspect of science,
technology and society, students will be drawn their
attention toward the complex interplay of the various
social contexts and the development of modern science.
This section also presents developments of science in the different early civilizations and
regions around the globe.

OBJECTIVE:
At the end of this lesson students are expected to learn the following competency skills:
a. Discuss how intellectual revolution shaped society across time
b. Analyze how scientific revolution is done in various parts of the world.
c. Articulate ways by which society is transformed by science and technology
Upon completion of this module, you should be able to

Definition of Terms

Geocentric theory-is a superseded description of the Universe with Earth at the center. Under the
geocentric model,

Heliocentric theory- was opposed to geocentrism, which placed the Earth at the center. The notion that the
Earth revolves around the Sun he Sun, Moon, stars, and planets all orbited Earth.

Civilizations are intimately associated with and often further defined by other socio-politico-economic
characteristics, such as centralization, the domestication
 Science, Technology and Society(STS)

CONTEXT

How do Scientific Revolution came into existence?

In the study of history of science and technology, another important area of interest
involves the various intellectual revolutions across times. In this area, interest lies in how
intellectual revolutions emerged as a result of interaction of science and technology and of
society it cover how the intellectual revolution altered the way modern science was understood
and approached.

The idea of scientific revolution is claimed to have started in the Earl 16th century up to
18th century in Europe. Why in Europe? The probable answer is the invention of the printing
machine and the blooming intellectual activities done in various places of learning, the growing
number of scholars in various fields of human interests. This does not mean, however, that
science is a foreign idea transported from other areas of the globe. Anyone who can examine
the history of science, technology, medicine and mathematics is aware that all great civilizations
are the ancient world had their own sophisticated traditions and activities related to this
discipline.

What is an Intellectual Revolution?

In understanding intellectual revolutions, it is worth noting that these revolutions are, in
themselves, paradigm shifts. These shifts resulted from a renewed and enlightened
understanding of how the universe behave and function. They challenge long-held views about
the nature of universe. Thus, these revolution were often met the huge resistance and
controversy.
Although there are many intellectual revolutions, this section focuses on three of the
most important ones that altered the way humans view science and its impacts on society: the
Copernican, Darwinian, and Freudian Revolutions. In the words of French astronomer,
mathematician and Freemason, Jean Sylvain Bailley (1976 in Cohen, 1976), these scientific
revolution involved a two stage process of sweeping away the the old and establishing the new.

What are the notable Intellectual Revolutions?

Scientists in all periods of time are driven by their curiosity, critical thinking and creativity
to explore the physical and natural world. Their love for scientists driven by their deep passion
to know and to discover
Scientists are not driven by clamour for honor and publicity. There are ordinary people
doing extraordinary things. Some scientists were never appreciated during their times, some
were sentenced to death, while others were condemned by the Church during their time. In spite
of all the predicaments and challenges they experienced, they never stop experimenting and
discover new knowledge and ideas.

1. Copernican Revolution
When it started?
 Science, Technology and Society(STS)

The Copernican revolutions refer to the 16th century paradigm shift named after the
Polish mathematician and astronomer, Nicolas Copernicus. Copernicus formulated the
heliocentric model of the universe. At the time, the belief was the earth was the center of the
solar system based on the geocentric model of Ptolemy (i.e., Ptolemaic Model).
Copernicus introduced the heliocentric model in a 40 page outline entitled
commentariolus. He formalized his model in the publication of his treatise, De Revolutionibus
Orbium Coelestium (the Revolution of Celestial Spheres) in 1543. In his model, Copernicus
repositions the earth from the center of the solar system and introduced the idea that the earth
rotate on its axis. The model illustrated the earth, along with other heavenly bodies, to be
rotating around the sun.

What is Copernican Revolution?

Copernicus' idea and model of the universe was essentially complete in 1501. Not long
after that, he circulated a summary of his ideas to his few close friends in a manuscript called
Commentariolus (Little Commentary). There was no proof that Copernicus was concerned
about the risk of persecution by the Church if he published his ideas formally.
The idea that the sun is at the center of the universe instead of the Earth proved to be
unsettling to many when Copernicus first introduced his model. In fact, the heliocentric model
was met with huge resistance, primarily from the church, accusing Copernicus of heresy. At the
time, the idea that it was not the earth, and, by extension, not man, that was not the center of all
the creation was unthinkable. Copernicus faced persecution from the church because of this.

How did this Revolution affected science, technology and society?

The contribution of the Copernican revolution is far reaching. It is served as a catalyst to
sway scientific thinking away from age – long views about the position of the Earth relative to an
enlightened understanding of the universe. This marked the beginning of the modern
astronomy. Although very slowly, the Heliocentric model was eventually caught on among other
astronomers who further refined the model and contributed to the recognition of Heliocentrism.
This was capped off by Isaac Newton’s work a century later. Thus, the Copernican revolution
marked a turning point in the study of cosmology and astronomy making it a truly important
intellectual revolution.
Moreover, although far more sensible than the Ptolemaic model, which was the 13th
century had been criticized for its shortcomings, the Copernican model also had multiple
inadequacies that were later filled by astronomers who participated in the revolution.
Nonetheless, despite problems with model and the persecution of the church, the Heliocentric
was accepted by other scientists of the time, most profoundly by Galileo Galilee. The Catholic
Church banned the Copernican model and was ignored by Rome for the rest of the 16th
Century.

2. Darwinian Revolution
When it started?
The English naturalist, geologist, and biologist, Charles Darwin is credited for stirring
another important intellectual revolution in the mid – 19th century. His treatise on the science of
evolution, the origin of species, was published in 1859 and began a revolution that brought
humanity to a new era of intellectual discovery.
 Science, Technology and Society(STS)

How do this revolution comes in existence?

The Darwinian revolution benefited from the earlier intellectual revolution especially
those in the 16th and 17th centuries, such that it was guided by confidence in human reason’s
ability to explain phenomena in the universe. For his past, Darwin gathered evidence pointing to
what is now known a natural selection, an evolutionary process by which organism, including
humans, inherit, develop, and adapt traits that favored survival and reproduction. These traits
are manifested in offspring that are more fit and well-suited to the challenges of survival and
reproduction.

What is Darwinian Revolution?

Darwin published his book The Origin of Species in 1589. Darwin collected many
significant materials in order to present his theory with overwhelming evidence. His book
presented on how species evolved over time and presented traits and adaptation that
differentiate species.
Darwin theory of evolution was, of course, met with resistance and considered to be
controversial. Critics the theory of being either short in accounting the broad and complex
evolutionary process or dismissive of the idea that the functional design of organisms was a
manifestation of the omniscient God. The Darwinian Revolution can be likened to the
Copernican revolution in its demonstration of the power of the laws of nature in explaining
biological phenomena of survival and reproduction.
Darwin’s observational skills as a scientist were extraordinary that moved beyond the
realms of plants and animals into the realms of humans. His book The Descent of Man was so
impressive yet very controversial. He introduced the idea of all organic life, including human
beings, under the realm of evolutionary thinking. This placed the dominant views of a religious
or biblical design that places human beings in a privileged position of having been created by
God. Darwin’s theory of evolution scientifically questioned this view.

How did this Revolution affected science, technology and society?

The place of the Darwinian Revolution in modern science cannot be underestimated.
Through the Darwinian Revolution, the development of organisms and the origin of unique form
of life and humanity could rationalized by a lawful system or an orderly process of change
underpinned by laws of nature.
Darwin’s accomplishments were so diverse that it is useful to distinguish two fields to
which he made major contributions: evolutionary biology and philosophy of science. More than
these works, what made Darwin truly remarkable was his courage to challenge religious and
unscientific ideas that are deemed to be prominent during those days. His unorthodox way of
pursuing science gave more value to evidence-based science. Darwin provided a different
framework for doing scientific activities. It is a science marked by observation and experiment.

3. Freudian Revolution

What is Freudian Revolution?

Austrian neurologist, Sigmund Freud, is credited for stirring a 20th century intellectual
revolution named after him, the Freudian Revolution. Freud developed psychoanalysis – a
 Science, Technology and Society(STS)

scientific method of understanding inner and unconscious conflicts embedded within one
personality, springing from free associations, dreams, and fantasies of the individual.
Psychoanalysis immediately shot into controversy for it emphasized the existence of
unconscious where feelings, thoughts, urges, emotion and memories are contained outside of
one’s conscious mind. Psychoanalytic concept of psychosexual development, libido and ego
were met with both support and resistance from many scholars. Freud suggested that human
are inherently pleasure – seeking individuals. These notions were particularly caught in the
crossfire of whether Freud psychoanalysis fit in the scientific study of the brain and mind.

How did this Revolution affected science, technology and society?

Scientist working on a biological approach in studying human behavior criticized
psychoanalysis for lack of vitality and bordering on being unscientific as a theory. Particularly,
the notion that all humans are destined to exhibit Oedipus and Electra complexes (i.e., sexual
desire towards the parents of the opposite sex and exclusion of the parent of the same sex) did
not seem supported by empirical data. In the same vein, it appeared to the critics that
psychoanalysis, then, was more of an ideological stance than a scientific one.

Freud is not a traditional thinker. According to Weiner (2016), his method of

psychoanalysis was proven to be effective in understanding some neurological conditions that
were not understood by medicine at that time. His method was unorthodox focusing on human
sexuality and the evil nature of man. This posed immense challenges to scholars and ordinary
citizens of his time. To some, they found his ideas not easy especially in his explanations of
human sexuality.

Amidst controversy, Freud psychoanalysis is widely credited for dominating

psychotherapeutic practice in the early 20 century. Psychodynamic therapies that treat a
th

myriad of psychological disorders still remain largely informed by Freud’s work on

psychoanalysis.

CRADLES OF EARLY SCIENCE

How does Science and Technology shaped society? And vice versa? What are some of
the notable innovations and technology that shaped history?

Read the following development of science and technology in different civilizations.

Comprehend how civilizations affected science and technology and vice versa.

Development of science in Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica includes the entire area of Central America from Southern America. There
is no doubt that the Mesoamerica region is rich in culture and knowledge prior to the arrivals of
its European colonizers.

The Maya civilization is one of the famous civilizations that for approximately 2000
years. These people are known for their works in astronomy. They incorporated their advanced
understanding of astronomy into their temples and other religious structures. This allows them
to use their temples for astronomical observations. For example, the pyramid at Chichen Itza in
Mexico is situated at the location of the Sun during the spring and fall equinoxes.
 Science, Technology and Society(STS)

Mayan knowledge and understanding about celestial bodies were advanced of their
time, as evidenced by their knowledge of predicting eclipse and using astrological cycles in
planting and harvesting. The Mayans are also known for measuring time using two complicated
calendar systems. These calendars were very useful for their life especially in planning their
activities and in observing their religious rituals and cultural celebrations.

The Mayans also developed the technology for growing different crops and building
elaborate cities using ordinary machineries and tools. They built hydraulics system with
sophisticated waterways to supply water to different communities.

Furthermore, they used various tools and adapt themselves to innovation especially in
the field of arts. The Mayans built loons for weaving cloth and devised, and rainbow of glittery
paints made from a mineral called mica. They are also believed to be one of the first people to
produce rubber products 3000 years before Goodyear received its patent in 1844.

The Mayans are considered one of the most scientifically advanced societies in
Mesoamerica. They are also famous as one of the world's first civilizations to use writing system
known as the Mayan hieroglyphics. They were also skilled in mathematics and created a
number system based on a numerical 20, Moreover, they independently developed the concept
of zero and positional value, even before the Romans did.

The Inca Civilization is also famous in Mesoamerica. The Incas made advanced
scientific ideas considering their limitations as an old civilization.

The following were scientific ideas and tools that they developed to help them in
everyday life.

1. Roads paved with stones

2. Stone buildings that surmounted earthquakes and other disasters;

3. Irrigation system and technique for storing water to their crops to grow in all types of
land,

4. Calendar with 13 months to mark their religious festivals and prepare them for
planting season;

5. The first suspension bridge;

6. quipu, a system of knotted ropes to keep records that only experts can interpret: and

7. Inca textiles since cloth were one of the specially prized artistic achievements.

Following the Inca the Aztec Civilization has also made substantial contributions to
science and technology and to the society as a whole.

Some of their contributions are the following:

1. Mandatory Education. The Aztec puts value on education; that is why their children
are mandated to get education regardless of their social class, gender, or age. It is an
early form of universal or inclusive education.
 Science, Technology and Society(STS)

2. Chocolates. The Aztec in Mexico developed chocolate during their time. In the
Mayan culture, they used it as currency. The Aztec valued the cacao beans highly and
made it as part of their tribute to their gods.

3. Antispasmodic medication. They used a type of Antispasmodic medication that

could prevent muscle spasms and relax muscles, which could help during surgery.

4. Chi Nampa. It is a form of Aztec technology for agricultural farming in which the land
was divided into rectangular areas and surrounded by canals.

5. Aztec Calendar. This enabled them to plan their activities, rituals, and planting
season.

6. Invention of the canoe. A light narrow boat used for traveling in water systems.

Development of Science in Asia

Asia is the biggest continent in the world and the home of many ancient civilizations. It is
a host to many cultural, economic, scientific and political activities of all ages. In the field of
science, technology and mathematics, great civilizations have stood out; India, China, and the
Middle East civilizations. These civilizations were incomparable in terms of their contributions to
the development of knowledge during their time.

India

India is a huge peninsula surrounded by vast bodies of water and fortified by huge
mountains in its northern boarders. The Indians creatively developed various ideas and
technologies useful in their everyday lives. They are known for manufacturing iron and in
metallurgical world. Their iron steel is considered to be the best and held with high regard in the
whole of Roman Empire.

India is also a famous in Medicine. For example, Ayurveda, a system of traditional

medicine that originated in ancient India before 2500 BC, is still practiced as a form of
alternative medicine. They discovered some medicinal properties of plants that led them to
develop medicines to cure various illnesses. Some ancient texts, like the Sasruta Samhita,
describes different surgical and other medical procedures famous in Ancient India.

Ancient India is also notable in the field of astronomy. They developed theories in the
configuration of the universe, the spherical self-supporting Earth, and the year of 360 days with
12 equal parts of 30 days each. Sama (2008) noted their interest in astronomy was also evident
in the first 12 chapters of the Siddhanta Shiromani, written in the 12th century. According to
Sama (2008), this Ancient text covered topics such as: mean longitudes of the planets; true
longitudes of the planets; the three problems of diurnal rotation; syzygies; lunar eclipses; solar
eclipses; latitudes of the planets with each other; conjunctions of the planets with the fixed stars,
and the paths of the Sun and Moon.

Ancient India is also known for their mathematics. Bisht (1982) noted that the earliest
traces of mathematical knowledge in the Indian subcontinent appeared in the Indus Valley
Civilization. The people of these civilisations, according to Bisht (9182), tried to standardize
measurement of length to a high degree of accuracy and designed a ruler.
 Science, Technology and Society(STS)

Clifford (2008) and Bose (1998) pointed out that Indian astronomer and Mathematician
Aryabhata (476-550), in his Aryabhata, introduced a number of trigonometric functions, tables
and techniques as well as algorithms of algebra. In 628 AD, another Indian, Brahmagupta, also
explained the use of zero as both a placeholder and a decimal digit, along with the Hindu-Arabic
numeral system now used universally throughout the world (Clifford ,2008; Bose, 1998).
Another Indian named Madhava of Sangamagrama is also considered as the founder of
mathematical analysis (Joseph, 1991).

China

China is one of the ancient civilizations with substantial contributions in many areas of
life like medicine, astronomy, science, mathematics, arts, philosophy, and music among others.
Chinese civilizations have greatly influenced many of its neighbor countries like Korea, Japan,
Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and other countries that belong to the old
Silk Road.

The Chinese are known for traditional medicines, a product of centuries experiences and
discovery of the Chinese people. They discovered various medical properties and uses different
plants and animals to cure human illness. An example is the practice of acupuncture.

In terms of Technology, the Chinese are known to develop many tools. Among the
famous discoveries and and inventions of the Chinese civilizations were compass, paper
making, gunpowder and printing tools that became known in the West only by the end of the
Middle Ages (Davies, 1995). They also invented other tools like iron plough, wheelbarrow, and
propeller among others. They developed a design of different models of bridges (Zhongguo ke
xue yuan, 1983), invented the first seismological detector and developed a dry dock facility
(Needham et al., 1971).

In the field of astronomy, the Chinese also made significant records in supernovas,
lunar, and solar eclipses, and comets which were carefully recorded and preserved to
understand better the heavenly bodies to understand weather changes and seasons that may
affect their daily activities. They used lunar calendars, too. The Chinese are also known in
seismology. This made them more prepared in times of natural calamities.

China made substantial contributions in various fields. The list of their discoveries and
inventions is overwhelming. These contributions we made along with mathematics, logic,
philosophy, and medicine l. However, cultural factors prevented these Chinese achievements
from developing into modern science l. According to Needhan (1986), it may have been the
religious and philosophical framework of Chinese intellectuals that made them unable to accept
the ideas of laws of nature.

Middle East Countries

The Middle East countries are dominantly occupied by the Muslims. With the spread of
Islam in the 17th and 18th centuries, a period of Muslim scholarship, or what is called the
golden age of Islam lasted until the 13th century. The common language of Arabic access the
Greek texts from the Byzantine Empire, and their proximity to India were contributory to the
intellectualization of the Muslims and provided their scholars knowledge to create innovation
and develop new ideas. But contrary to the Greeks, Muslim scientist placed greater value on
science experiments rather than plain-thought experiments. This led to the development of the
 Science, Technology and Society(STS)

scientific method in the Muslim world and made significant improvements by using experiments
to distinguish between competing scientific theories set within generally empirical orientation. A
Muslim scientist named the Ibn al-Haytham is also regarded as the father of Optics, especially
for his empirical proof of the intromission of theory of life.
In mathematics, the mathematician Muhammad Ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi gave his name
to the concept of the algorithm while the term algebra is derived from al-Jabr, the beginning of
the tittle of one of his publication. What is now known as the Arabic numeral system originally
came from India, but Muslim mathematicians fid make several refinements to the number
system, such as the introduction of decimal point notation.
Muslim chemist and alchemist also played an important role in the foundation of modern
chemistry (Durant, 1980). In particular, some scholars consider Jabir Ibn Hayyān to be the
"father of chemistry" (Derewenda, 2007, Warren, 2005)
In the field of medicine, Ibn Sina pioneered the science of experimental medicine and
was the first physician to conduct clinical trials (Jacquart, 2008). His two most notable works in
medicine, the book of healing and the cannon of medicine, were used as standard medicinal
texts Olin both the Muslim world and in Europe during the 17th century. Among his many
contributions are the discovery of the contagious nature of infection diseases and the
introduction of clinical pharmacology (Craig & Walter, 2000).
There are numerous Muslim scholars who made significant contributions in the field of
science, mathematics, astronomy, philosophy and even in the field of social sciences. The
decline of this golden age of Islam started in the 11th to 13th century due to the conquest of the
Mongols whereby libraries, observatories and other learning institutions were destroyed.

Development of Science in Africa

Africa is blessed with natural and mineral resources. Science also emerged in this part
of the planet long before the Europeans colonized it. The histories of science and mathematics
show that similar to other ancient civilizations in Africa are knowledge producers, too.
The ancient Egyptian civilizations has contributed immensely and made significant
advances in the fields of astronomy, mathematics and medicine. For example, the development
of geometry was a product of necessity to preserve layout and ownership of farmlands of the
Egyptians living along the Nile River. The rules of geometry were developed and used to build
rectilinear structures, the post of lintel architecture of Egypt. The early science activities in Egypt
were developed to improve the quality of life of the Egyptians especially in building their early
hikes and cities. The great structures of the Egyptian pyramids and the early dams built to divert
water from the Nile River are some proofs of their advance civilization.
Egypt was known to be a center of alchemy, which is known as the medieval forerunner
of chemistry. They tried to study human anatomy and pharmacology and applied important
components such as examination, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis for the treatment of
diseases. These components displayed strong parallels to the basic method of studying
science.
Astronomy was also famous in the African region. For instance, documents show that
the Africans used three types of calendars: lunar, solar, and stellar or a combination of three.
Metallurgy was also known in the Africa regions during the ancient times. North Africa
and the Nile valley imported iron technology from the near east region that enable them to
 Science, Technology and Society(STS)

benefit from the developments during the bronze age until the iron age. They invented metal
tools used in their homes, in agriculture, and in building their magnificent architectures.
Mathematics was also known to be prominent in the life of early people in the African
continent. The Lebombo bone from the mountains between Swaziland and South Africa, 'which
may have been a tool for multiplication, division, and simple mathematical calculation or a six-
month lunar calendar is consider to be the oldest known mathematical artefact dated from
35,000 BCE. Ancient Egyptians are good in the four fundamental mathematical operations and
other mathematical skills. They have knowledge of the basic concepts of algebra and geometry.
The Islamic regions in Africa during the medieval period was also benefiting from mathematical
learning, when is considered advanced during those times, such as algebra, geometry, and
trigonometer.

MODULE 3 SAQ Answer Sheets

Name: ____________________________ Date Submitted: __________________

Course/Section: ____________________ Subject:_______________________
Instructor: Mark Carmelo Azor Submit to:Google classroom

Think about the following questions and answer it in 2-3 sentences.

1. Do you think religion should intervene in scientific activities? Why or why not?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2. How did society shape science and how did science shape society? Give specific example.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. How did early civilizations develop their science and technology? How this development
shaped their society?
 Science, Technology and Society(STS)

____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Instructions: For this activity, students will work individually.

1. Choose a particular scientific work or invention.
2. Create a Flow Chart (Smart Art Process) that shows how society is transformed by science
and technology.You may focus on specific technology that greatly shaped society and vice
versa.
3. Students work will be graded using a rubric (see attached rubric on page )

Criteria Content Creativity Presentation

Percentage 40% 30% 30%
Total

1. What scientific work did you choose? Why did you choose it?
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2. How did society transformed this work?
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3. What contributions does it give to our society?
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

4. Why do you think this relationship exists between science, technology and society?
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

5.How did you choose your invention?

_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
6.What makes this invention worthwhile?
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
 Science, Technology and Society(STS)

7.How did you feel while doing this activity?Why?

_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

MODULE 3 EVALUATION
(Answer Sheets)

Name: ____________________________ Date Submitted: __________________

Course/Section: ____________________ Subject:_______________________
Instructor: Mark Carmelo Azor Submit to:Google classroom

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
 Science, Technology and Society(STS)
Reference: Science, Technology and Society book by Quinto, E.M., and Nieva, A. D.(2019).

Prepared by:

MARK CARMELO A.AZOR

Instructor, STS

Checked by:

MARGIE RIVERO
College of Education Coordinator

Approved by:

EMILIA B. BRUSAS, Ed D
Dean, College of Education