Activity 2: Intellectual Revolutions that Defined Society

I. Learning outcomes: At the end of this activity, the students should be able to:
1. summarize the ideas postulated by Copernicus, Darwin, and Freud that contributed to the
spark of scientific revolution through a small group discussion; and
2. analyze and summarize how scientific revolution is done in various parts of the world.

II. Direction/Instruction
1. Read chapter 2 on the book.
2. Summarize the history and make a timeline highlighting the major discoveries and
development in science by completing the table below:

Scientific Scientist Involved Major Discoveries and

Revolution/Society Contribution in Science

A. COPERNICAN Nicolaus Copernicus Nicolaus Copernicus made a major

REVOLUTION contribution to science with his
Heliocentric Model. This model
proposed that the Sun is at the center
of our solar system, and the Earth,
along with other planets, orbits
around it. It's like the Sun is in the
middle, and we're all going around it.
This groundbreaking idea challenged
the long-held belief that Earth was
the center of everything,
revolutionizing our understanding of
the cosmos. Copernicus's model laid
the foundation for modern astronomy
and the way we perceive our place in
the universe.

B. DARWINIAN Charles Darwin Charles Darwin's major contribution

REVOLUTION to science was the idea of Natural
Selection. This means that animals
and plants with helpful traits survive
and have more babies, passing those
traits on. Over time, these traits
become common, making species
better at living in their environment.
Darwin explained this in his book
 "On the Origin of Species,"
revolutionizing our understanding of
evolution and the diversity of life on
Earth.

C. FREUDIAN Sigmund Freud Sigmund Freud made a major

REVOLUTION contribution to science with his
concept of "Psychoanalysis," which
helps us delve into the hidden aspects
of the human mind. Think of it as
mental detective work, uncovering
deep thoughts, feelings, and conflicts
that impact how we behave. Freud
used tools like open conversations
about thoughts, dreams, and fantasies
to reveal these concealed motivations
and emotions. Psychoanalysis has
played a vital role in psychology,
enhancing our understanding of
human behavior and mental health.
Additionally, Freud introduced the
concept of the "Three Components
of the Mind," likening them to
different members in our mental
group. The "Id" represents impulsive
desires, like a child's craving for
instant gratification. The "Ego" acts
as a rational balancer between our
desires and reality, while the
"Superego" serves as a moral
compass, guiding our actions based
on societal values. Understanding
how these components interact helps
us make sense of human behavior
and the internal conflicts we often
experience. Freud's ideas continue to
shape the field of psychology today.

III. Questions for Reflection:

1. Why do you think most intellectual ideas controversial?

The most intellectual ideas, especially groundbreaking ones, are often

controversial.Because these ideas challenge the status quo, which consists of the beliefs
and values we have held for a long time. When a new intellectual idea emerges, it has the
 potential to upend these deeply rooted beliefs, and this can be unsettling for individuals
and society as a whole. Imagine these established beliefs as a comfortable framework that
has guided our lives and decisions for generations. It's human nature to resist change,
even if the current framework isn't ideal or accurate. This resistance stems from a desire
to maintain the stability and familiarity of our existing beliefs and lifestyles. When a new
intellectual idea challenges this framework, it threatens not only our beliefs but also the
way we have structured our understanding of the world. This is where the controversy
comes in. People may react negatively to the new idea because it implies that they could
be wrong, and accepting that can be difficult.

For instance, when Darwin talked about how animals change over a really long
time because they adapt to where they live, it became considerably controversial. This
was because it went against what many believed in, like the idea that everything was
created just as it is, which is called creationism. So, some people who were in charge of
religion and others who liked the old ideas didn't like the concept of Darwin. Even today,
some folks still don't like the idea because it challenges what they've always thought
about where we come from. But scientists have shown that Darwin was right, and this
idea, called evolution, has become really important in biology. It helps us understand how
all kinds of creatures are connected and how they've changed over time.

2. Why did the people accept these new discoveries despite being contradictory to what was
widely accepted at that time?

Accepting new discoveries, even when they go against what we already believe,
happens for a few reasons. First, when there's strong proof that a new idea is correct,
people are more likely to accept it. Evidence matters. Second, people might not accept
new ideas right away. They might resist them at first, but as they see more proof and
experts agree, they start to change their minds. Being open-minded, which means being
willing to think about new things, helps. Education and meeting different people can
make you more open-minded. Besides, younger people are often more open to new ideas
because they haven't believed the old ones for as long. If a new idea helps us in our daily
lives, like a medicine that works better, we're more likely to accept it. Sometimes, new
ideas can be explained in a way that fits with what we already believe. This makes it
easier to accept them. Furthermore, when important people, like scientists or leaders, say
that a new idea is good, it can convince others to accept it too. The culture and society we
live in also matter. Some places are more open to new ideas, while others stick to the old
ways. Eventually, as new generations grow up with these new ideas, they become more
accepted. But older generations, who are used to the old ideas, might not change as
easily. Thus, accepting new discoveries is influenced by evidence, being open-minded,
education, age, practical benefits, how ideas are explained, important people's opinions,
and the society we're in. It's a process that slowly changes how we understand the world.