Colegio de San Gabriel Arcangel

PACUCOA Accredited – Level 1 Status

COLLEGE DEPARTMENT City of San Jose del
Monte, Bulacan

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1
Name: ______________________________ Grade / Score : _______________
Colleges: ____________________________ Program/Course : _______________
Course Title: ________________________ Date : _________________________
Type of Activity (Check or choose from below)
Concept Notes Laboratory Report Formal Theme Others:
Skills: Exercise / Drill Illustration Informal Theme ____________

Activity Title : In the World: Ancient, Middle and Modern Ages

Learning Target : I can discuss the interactions between Science and Technology
and Society throughout history.
References :
(Author, Title, Pages) :

Discussion:

The ancient times predates to the time when civilization is still in its baby steps. Most
human settlements such as tribes, kingdoms, and empires are spiritually inclined in their
lives; believing in various deities as to explain why certain phenomenon occurs. As such,
the scientific community of this era is still heavily influenced by rituals and spiritualism.

Since science in that era is heavily tainted with spiritualism, most scientists pursue
knowledge thru arts, mathematics, philosophy, medicine, and astronomy.

Mathematics was considered as a major field during those times since it has a wide array of
application: from arithmetic in economy and war, to geometric principles in architecture and
engineering. Famous mathematicians from various ancient civilizations were considered as
founding fathers and authorities in various disciplines, and up until now their works are still
imminent in contemporary mathematics. For instance, Pythagoras’s Theorem (Pythagorean
Theorem) is a fundamental geometric principle felt in engineering.

Due to the lack of awareness in the place of humanity in the vastness of the universe, some
pursue knowledge in Arts and Philosophy. Here, men tried to come up with principles as to
why we exist, our place and roles in this world, and where we are heading
once we out of the game. Since the value of human life is still explored, various schools
that teaches how one should carry on with his life emerges.

With the advent of human life’s value, the need to preserve it emerges. Prolonging
human life thru the pursue of knowledge became the primary objective of ancient
medicine. In the earliest civilization, so little was known about the human body and
pharmaceutical potentials of plant. Pioneering men in such fields were Aristotle, Galen,
and Hippocrates. Aristotle made a crude attempt in differentiating animals from plants
by pure observation. Galen made further studies on Aristotle’s crude plant science and
founded medicinal botany. Hippocrates, on the other hand, was known for his important
contribution in laying the foundation of medicine during these times.

Although we have selected men who could make a somewhat estimated attempt during
the ancient times, still the legitimacy of other fields is somewhat questionable. This is
because their data were derived from what they can only observe thru their eyes.

Another reason why is because microscopic and atomic concept, two of the core
dogmas of biology and chemistry, are yet well established.

What’s more, the authority of knowledge were temple men, priests, and shamans who
are inclined more in the spiritual world.

Alchemy can generally be defined as an ancient art form that seeks purification of the
soul and immortality in parallel with the transmutation of chemical elements where gold
symbolizes perfection. Alchemists made medicines and pharmaceuticals, and
endeavored to understand the material basis of the world. Although the alchemists
practiced actual chemistry and medicine, turning lead into gold symbolized a spiritual
transmutation equivalent to an awakened consciousness present in all forms and which
created the universe. In Western alchemy, perfection is achieved through the action of
the Philosophers Stone. Alchemists believed that it could turn any substance into gold,
prolong life and cure illness. The Philosophers Stone is created from “prima materia”,
which is the primitive formless base of all matter, similar to our modern concepts of dark
matter or chaos.

Alchemy made important contributions to metalworking, refining, production of

gunpowder, ceramics, glass, ceramics, ink, dyes, paints, cosmetics, extracts, liquors
etc. Alchemists conceptualized chemical elements into the first rudimentary periodic
tables and introduced the process of distillation to Western Europe. They were also
among the first to extract metals from ores and compose various inorganic acids
and bases.
 • Sulfuric acid was first described (approx. 1300 AD) by the alchemist, Pseudo-
Geber. Sulfuric acid is the most used substance in chemical industries today
after water, air, coal and oil.
• The alchemist Andreas Libavius (1555 – 1616 AD) was the first to
describe the preparation of free hydrochloric acid, of tin tetrachloride, and
of ammonium sulfate.
• Libravius and Pseudo-Geber described the preparation of aqua regia (“royal
water”), a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, which can dissolve gold.
• The alchemist Albertus Magnus (1193-1280 AD) is often credited for the
discovery of arsenic, although it was probably known to earlier alchemists.
• Chinese alchemists invented gunpowder or black powder in the 9th century.
• Indian alchemy made important contributions to metallurgy. High-quality,
high carbon steel was already being produced in India between 300-200 BC,
and was exported throughout Asia and Europe.

Alchemy was influential in the formulation of Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity. It is also
central to Jung’s idea of the collective unconscious. Much of the vast array of symbols
used in alchemy draws from the Collective Unconscious of the West. The history of
alchemy is very complex, and it is impossible to even scratch the surface in this article.

Activity:

1. How did the past knowledge shape the progress of society and the growth
of technology as of today based on the discussion above?

the key to future progress for mankind lies in the realization of “science and
technology for society, and in society. the current state of science and technology,
and the issues confronting it, are examined from the viewpoint of “science and
technology for society.”

2. Why is it vital to look back upon past documents if are to advance with our study
is science and technology?

Studying the history of science allows you to have a glimpse into both the history of the
world and into just how we discovered everything we know about the world. Those
moments of discovery may seem anti-climactic to us now, but imagine not having
discovered them at all. Imagine living without that knowledge.