BUENAVISTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Cangawa, Buenavista, Bohol

College of Teacher Education Department
Tel. No. (63) 102726564
2nd Semester, A.Y. 2024-2025
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COURSE TITLE: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
COURSE CODE: GE 6
COURSE, YEAR : BEED I
INSTRUCTOR: MA. CRISTINA L. MEJIAS

MODULE 1: INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTIONS THAT DEFINED SOCIETY

I. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Discuss how the ideas postulated by Copernicus, Darwin, and Freud contributed to the spark of
scientific revolution.
2. Understand the concept of scientific revolution.
3. Identify some of the intellectuals and their revolutionary ideas.
II. OVERVIEW
This lesson will give light to the development of science and scientific ideas in the heart of the society. It is the
goal of this lesson to articulate ways by which society is transformed by science and technology.

III. LEARNING CONTENTS

A. Definitions of Science
Science is as old as the world itself. There is no individual that can exactly identify when and where science
began. From the genesis of time, science has existed. It is always interwoven with the society. So, how can science
be defined?
 Science as an idea. It includes ideas, theories, and all available systematic explanations and observations
about the physical world.
 Science as an intellectual activity. It encompasses a systematic and practical study of the, natural and
physical world. This process of study involves systematic observation and experimentation.
 Science as a body of knowledge. It is a subject or a discipline, a field of study, or a body of knowledge
that deals with the process of learning about the physical world. This is what we refer to as school science.
 Science as a personal and social activity. This explains that science is both knowledge and activities
done by human beings to develop better understanding of the world around them. It is a means to improve
life and to survive in life. It is interwoven with people's lives.

B. Sciencitic Revolution
The idea of scientific revolution is claimed to have started in the early 16th century up to the 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, and the growing number of scholars in various fields of human interests.
Scientific revolution was the period of enlightenment when the developments in the fields of-mathematics, physics,
astronomy, biology, and chemistry transformed the views of society about nature.It explained the emergence or birth
of modern science as a result of these developments from the disciplines mentioned. Ideas generated during this
period enabled the people to reflect, rethink, and re-examine their beliefs and their way of life. Scientific revolution
was the golden age for people committed to scholarly life in science but it was also a deeply trying moment to some
scientific individuals that led to their painful death or condemnation from the religious institutions who tried to preserve
their faith, religion, and theological views. Some rulers and religious leaders did not accept many of the early works of
scientists. But these did not stop people especially scientists to satisfy their curiosity of the natural and physical world.

C. Some Intellectuals and their Revolutionary Ideas

To further understand what exactly happened during the scientific revolution, it is important to examine the
different individuals whose ideas have shaken and contested the dominant theories and ideas during this period-the
truths of their time. In spite of all the predicaments and challenges they experienced, they never stopped
experimenting, theorizing, and discovering new knowledge and ideas. In this part of the lesson, three notable
scientists are discussed. For sure, there were many scientists who worked before and after these individuals.
However, it is important to note that these men, particularly through their ideas, had shaken the world.

Charles Darwin Sigmund Freud

Nicolaus Copernicus
 Figure 1. Some Intellectuals and thier Revolutionary Ideas

1. Nicolaus Copernicus- Nicolaus Copernicus's ideas were an example of what is presently called as a thought
experiment. He was strongly influenced by a book entitled Epitome published in 1496 by a German author, Johannes
Müeller. This book contains Müeller's observations of the heavens and some commentary on earlier works especially
that of Ptolemy. Copernicus's idea model of the universe was essentially complete in 1510. He circulated a summary
of his ideas to his few close friends in a manuscript called Commentariolus (Little Commentary). There was no proof
Copernicus was concerned about the risk of persecution by the Church if he published his ideas formally. The
publication of his book de revolutionibus orbium coelestium. (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres) in 1543 is
often cited as the start of the scientific revolution. In his book, he wanted a model of the universe in which everything
moved around a single center at unvarying rates (Gribbin,- 2003). Copernicus placed the Sun to be the centerpiece of
the universe. The Earth and all the planets are surrounding or orbiting the Sun each year. The Moon, however, would
still be seen orbiting the Earth. Copernicus's model of the Earth orbiting around the Sun automatically positioned the
planets into a logical sequence. Although the Copernican model makes sense now, during those times, it was judged
to be heretic and therefore it was an unacceptable idea to be taught to Catholics. The Catholic Church banned the
Copernican model and was ignored by Rome for the rest of the 16th century.

2. Charles Darwin- Charles Darwin is famous for his theory of evolution. He changed our concept of the world's
creation and its evolution. Darwin published his book The Origin of Species in 1589.This book is considered to be one
of the most important works in scientific literature. Darwin collected many significant materials in order to present his
theory with overwhelming evidence. His book presented evidence on how species evolved over time and presented
traits and adaptation that differentiate species. 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 replaced 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.

3.Sigmund Freud- Freud is a famous figure in the field of psychology. Rosenfels (1980) also described him as a
towering literary figure and a very talented communicator who did his share to raise the consciousness of the civilized
world in psychological matters. However, apart from these, Freud also made a significant contribution in the scientific
world through the development of an important observational method to gather reliable data to study human's inner
life. This method is popularly known as the method of psychoanalysis. The scientific hypothesis he formulated formed
the essential fundamental version of this method. For Freud, this method of psychoanalysis is a scientific way to
study the human mind and neurotic illness. 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. Whether he is more of a psychologist or a scientist
is for people to decide. The fact remains that Freudian ideas and theories are still considered nowadays as a great
inspiration to examine human mind and behavior in a more scientifically accepted way.

D. Cradles of Early Science

 Development of Science in Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica incudes the entire area of Central America from Southern Mexico up to the border of South America.
The Maya civilization is one of the famous civilizations that lasted for approximately 2,000 years. These people are
known for their works in astronomy. The Mayans are also known for measuring time using two complicated calendar
systems. They are also believed to be one of the first people to produce rubber products 3,000 years before
Goodyear received its patent in 1844. They are also famous as one of the world's first civilizations to use a writing
system known as the Mayan hieroglyphics. The Inca civilization is also famous in Mesoamerica. They developed
roads paved with stones, stone buildings that surmounted earthquakes and other disasters, irrigation system and
technique for storing water for their crops to grow in all types of land, the first suspension bridge, quipu- a system of
knotted ropes to keep records that only experts can interpret, and Inca textiles. The Aztec civilization has also made
substantial contributions to science and technology and to the society as a whole. The Aztec puts value on education;
that is why their children are mandated to get education regardless of their social class, gender, or age. The Aztec in
Mexico developed chocolate during their time. The Aztec valued the cacao beans highly and made it as part of their
tribute to their gods. They used a type of antispasmodic medication that could prevent muscle spasms and relax
muscles, which could help during surgery. And they build Chinampa- a form of Aztec technology for agricultural
farming in which the land was divided into rectangular areas and surrounded by canals.

 Development of Science in Asia

Asia is the biggest continent in the world and the home of many ancient civilizations. In the field of science,
technology, and mathematics, great civilizations have stood out: India, China, and the Middle East civilizations. India
is a huge peninsula surrounded by vast bodies of water and fortified by huge mountains in its northern boarders. The
Indians are known for manufacturing iron and in metallurgical works. India is also 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. Some ancient texts, like the Susruta 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
on the configuration of the universe, the spherical self-supporting Earth, and the year of 360 days with 12 equal parts
of 30 days each. 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 this
civilization, according to Bisht, tried to standardize measurement of length to a high degree of accuracy and designed
a ruler, the Mohenjo-daro ruler. TheIndian astronomer and mathematician Aryabhata (476-550), in his Aryabhatiya,
introduced a number of trigonometric functions, tables, and techniques, as well as algorithms of algebra. In 628 AD,
another Indian, Brahmagupta, also suggested that gravity was a force of attraction, and lucidly 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 is one of the ancient civilizations with
substantial contributions in many areas of life. The Chinese are known for traditional medicines, an example is the
practice of acupuncture. Among the famous discoveries and inventions of the Chinese civilizations were compass,
papermaking, gunpowder, and printing tools that became known in the West only by the end of the Middle Ages.
They also invented other tools like iron plough, wheelbarrow, and propeller, among others. They developed a design
of different models of bridges, invented the first seismological detector, and developed a dry dock facility. The Middle
East countries are dominantly occupied by Muslims. A Muslim scientist named Ibn al-Haytham is also regarded as
the Father of Optics, especially for his empirical proof of the intromission theory of light. 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 title of one of his publications. What is now known as the Arabic
Numeral System originally came from India, but Muslim mathematicians did make several refinements to the number
system, such as the introduction of decimal point notation. Muslim chemists and alchemists also played an important
role in the foundation of modern chemistry. In particular, some scholars considered Jābir ibn Hayyān to be the
"Father of Chemistry". In the field of medicine, Ibn Sina pioneered the science of experimental medicine and was the
first physician to conduct clinical trial.

 Development of Science in Africa

The history of science and mathematics show that similar to other ancient civilizations, the early civilizations in Africa
are knowledge producers, too. The ancient Egyptian civilization has contributed immensely and made significant
advances in the fields of astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. The great structures of the Egyptian pyramids and
the early dams built to divert water from the Nile River are some proofs of their advanced civilization. Egypt was
known to be the 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. For instance, documents show that Africans used three types of
calendars: lunar, solar, and stellar, or a combination of the three. Metallurgy was also known in the African regions
during the ancient times. 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 considered to be the
oldest known mathematical artifact dated from 35,000 BCE. Ancient Egyptians are good in the four fundamental
mathematical operations and other mathematical skills.

IV. REERENCES
st
Serafica, J. (2017)Science, Technology, and Society. (1 .Ed.)Manila: Rex Books Store, Inc.