Science, Technology and Society

Module 2: Antecedents of Science, Technology and Society

Ancient Period

• Ancient Mesopotamia (Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians)

o Ancient Mesopotamia, situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, was a cradle of
civilization around 3500 BCE. Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians
successively thrived in this fertile land. They pioneered writing with cuneiform script,
developed advanced irrigation systems, and built monumental ziggurats and temples. The
Code of Hammurabi, a significant legal codification, exemplified early governance.
Mesopotamia's contributions include the wheel, the lunar calendar, and early forms of
mathematics. Its complex societies laid the groundwork for future civilizations,
influencing law, culture, and technological advancements throughout the ancient world.
o Location: Fertile Crescent (Between Euphrates and Tigirs)
o Contributions:
▪ Agriculture
▪ Cuneiform (Sumerians)
▪ The Hanging Gardens of Babylon- An Architectural wonder containing Flora
species from across the Globe
▪ The Wheel
▪ Code of Hammurabi- A Set of Laws (Babylonians)
• “ An Eye for an Eye, A Tooth for a tooth”
▪ Warfare (Assyrians)
▪ Library (Assyrians)
• Mediterranean Civilizations
o The Phoenicians (Sea farers, traders)
o The Hebrews
o The Persians
o The Lydians (the coin)
• Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt, along the Nile, thrived for millennia, creating monumental pyramids, intricate
hieroglyphics, and a sophisticated society with divine rulers.
o Papyrus
o Hieroglyphics
▪ Through the Rosetta Stone, The meaning of these Symbols were deciphered
o Astronomy and Math
▪ Evident in the precise measurements of Egyptian Structures
▪ Development of the Pi
o Societal Order/ Government
• Ancient China
o Philosophy
▪ Conufucious (A Chinese Philosopher)
▪ Chinese Philosophy centralizes in Filial Piety
o Silk Production
o Acupuncture
o Pyrotechnics (Fireworks)
• Ancient India
 o Mathematics: Hindu-Arabic Numerals
o Philosophy: Hinduism, Kama Sutra
o Literature: Mahabharata and Ramayana
o Yoga and Meditation
▪ Kama Sutra: Sex Positions and Yoga Correlation
• Ancient Greece
o The beginning of Greek civilization is complex and involves a mixture of historical,
archaeological, and mythological elements. It is challenging to pinpoint an exact date for
the start of Greek civilization, but scholars generally consider the emergence of the
Mycenaean civilization as one of its early phases.
Contributions
o Philosophy
▪ The Triumvirate of Philosohpy: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
o Democracy
o Literature
▪ The Iliad (Trojan War)
▪ The Odyssey (A Sequel to the Iliad)
▪ Greek Mythology
o Math (Pythagorean Theorem)
o Sciences and Medicine
▪ The institution of matter
▪ They defined the existence of elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water
▪ Hippocrates- The Father of Medicine
o Art and Architecture
▪ Styles: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian
o History and record keeping
▪ Herodotus- Father of History
• Ancient Rome
o The Glory that was Greece, The Grandeur that was Rome
o Contributions:
▪ Legal System (innocent until proven guilty)
▪ Latin and literature
• Sapphos- A Woman Poet in a sea of Male Roman poets
▪ Military Tactics
▪ Urban Planning
▪ Art
Medieval Period

• The Death of Reason and Art

• From the Fall of Rome to the Renaissance
• Factors and Events Contributing to why the Medieval Ages were called Dark Ages:
o The Fall of Rome
o Invasion of the Huns
o Invasion of the Muslims
o The Plague
 o Poverty
o Shitty Government and Corruption
o Communication Barrier
o Conservative views of the Church
• Yet How did the medieval Ages pave way to a modern society?
o Feudalism and Social Structure:
▪ Feudal System: The medieval period was characterized by a feudal
system where land was owned by lords and worked by peasants in
exchange for protection. This hierarchical structure influenced later
systems of governance and social organization.
o Cultural and Intellectual Revival:
▪ Scholasticism: Medieval scholars engaged in scholasticism, a method of
learning that combined classical philosophy with Christian theology.
This intellectual movement helped preserve and transmit knowledge
from ancient civilizations, paving the way for the Renaissance. Some
great Philosophers from this time is St. Thomas Aquinas and Albert the
Great
▪ Art and Literature: Medieval Art focuses on Catholicism. Gothic
Architecture was a thing back then characterized by High ceilings and
arched hallways. Literary pieces were based on the Catechism of the
Church evident in Dante’s Divine Comedy.
o Educational Institutions:
▪ Universities: The medieval period saw the establishment of universities,
such as the University of Bologna (1088) and the University of Paris
(1150). These institutions contributed to the preservation and
dissemination of knowledge, creating a foundation for modern higher
education.
o Architectural Achievements:
▪ Gothic Architecture: The construction of Gothic cathedrals and castles
during the medieval period showcased advancements in architecture and
engineering. Elements of Gothic architecture continue to influence
modern construction and design.
o Innovation in Agriculture:
▪ Crop Rotation and Agricultural Techniques: Innovations in
agriculture, including crop rotation and new farming techniques,
improved food production and contributed to population growth. These
innovations had long-lasting effects on agricultural practices.
o Technological Advancements:
▪ Printing Press: While the printing press is often associated with the
Renaissance, the first movable-type printing press was invented by
Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century, towards the end of the
medieval period. This invention revolutionized the dissemination of
information.
o Medicine and Healthcare:
▪ Medical Treatises: The medieval period saw the compilation and
translation of medical texts from ancient Greek and Roman sources. This
 laid the groundwork for advancements in medicine and healthcare that
continued into the Renaissance.
▪ During the plague various ways were done to somewhat prevent the
spread of the virus.
• Quarantine
• Fumigation and Cleansing
• Flagellants
• Quackery and Superstitions
• Cleanliness Efforts
• Public Health Regulations
• Isolation of Ships
• Social Distancing
• Attempts at Medical Treatments
Modern Period

• The Renaissance
o The Renaissance, spanning the 14th to 17th centuries, was a transformative period
marked by profound changes in art, literature, philosophy, science, and the authority of
the church. This cultural movement, characterized by a revival of classical learning and a
shift toward humanism, had a profound impact on shaping the modern world.
o Humanism:
▪ Scholars like Petrarch and Erasmus championed humanism, emphasizing the
study of classical texts and the inherent value of human intellect and
achievement.
▪ THE RENAISSANCE FOCUSED ON EXALTING THE HUMAN PERSON
ITSELF
o Artistic Achievements:
▪ Painting: The High Renaissance saw the emergence of artists like Leonardo da
Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, who produced masterpieces that showcased
realism, perspective, and emotional depth.
▪ Sculpture: Michelangelo's sculptures, such as "David" and "Pieta," demonstrated
a revival of classical forms and a mastery of anatomy.
▪ Architecture: Filippo Brunelleschi and Andrea Palladio revitalized architecture
by embracing classical principles, seen in works like the Florence Cathedral's
dome and Palladio's villas.
• The Development of Domes to crown Cathedrals
o Brunelleschi- Pioneer of the Renaissance Dome
• Michaelangelo was commissioned to Design the New St. Peter’s
Basillica
▪ Renaissance Artists and their know works:
• Leonardo Da Vinci
o The Last Supper
o Mona Lisa
o Madonna of the Rocks
• Michaelangelo Buonarotti
o Pieta
 o Cristo Dela Minerva
o The Sistine Chapel Frescoes
• Raffaello “Raphael” Santi
o The Disputation of The Eucharist
o The School of Athens
o The Sistine Madonna

o Scientific Revolution:
▪ The Renaissance laid the groundwork for the Scientific Revolution, with figures
like Copernicus challenging the geocentric view and advocating a heliocentric
model of the solar system.
o Literature and Printing Press:
▪ The invention of the printing press by Gutenberg facilitated the dissemination of
knowledge. Literary works, including classics and contemporary pieces, became
more widely accessible.
o Exploration and Discovery:
▪ The Renaissance spirit of curiosity fueled exploration, leading to the discovery of
new lands and trade routes by explorers like Columbus and Magellan.
▪ Three Gs: God, Gold, Glory
o Philosophy:
▪ Philosophers like Machiavelli ("The Prince") and Thomas More ("Utopia")
explored political and ethical questions, reflecting on governance and ideal
societies.
o Education and Academia:
▪ The establishment of universities and a renewed focus on classical education
contributed to the spread of knowledge, encompassing humanities, languages,
and sciences.
o Authority of the Church:
▪ The Renaissance witnessed a gradual erosion of the absolute authority of the
Catholic Church. Humanism and the revival of classical thought encouraged a
more secular worldview, challenging traditional religious doctrines.
o The Reformation,
▪ spearheaded by figures like Martin Luther, further fractured the unity of the
Christian Church, leading to the rise of Protestantism and a shift in the religious
landscape of Europe.
• Modern Era Overview:
o Period of human history succeeding the post-classical era, from around 1500 AD to the
present.
o Historical periodization applied primarily to European and Western history.
• Divisions of the Modern Era:
o Early modern period (c. AD 1500 to 1800):
▪ Age of Discovery, Age of Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution, Age of
Revolutions.
o Late modern period (from around 1800):
▪ Transition from imperial powers to nation-states, influenced by World Wars.
o Contemporary history (post-World War II to present):
 ▪ Includes the ongoing 21st century.
• Characteristics of the Modern Era:
o Significant development in science, politics, warfare, technology, and globalization.
o Political, economic, and cultural colonization by European powers.
o Associated with individualism, capitalism, urbanization, and belief in progress.
• Reactions and Criticisms:
o Reactions against modern development due to wars, rapid change, and loss of traditional
norms.
o Criticisms by postmodernism and postcolonial theory.
• Origins and Evolution of the Term "Modern":
o Coined before 1585 to describe the beginning of a new era.
• Industrial Revolution (18th and 19th century).
• 19th-century historical developments, decline of empires, rise of British Empire.
• 20th Century:
o Economic and technological changes dominate.
o World Wars, Cold War, technological advancements, space exploration.
• Contemporary History and Post-Cold War Era:
o Cold War (1945-1991) between the West and the East.
o Rise of terrorism, technological advancements, economic globalization.
o Issues of wealth inequality, disease, terrorism, and nuclear weapons.
• 21st Century:
o Rapid escalation of social issues, terrorism, economic globalization.
o Advancements in technology, artificial intelligence, space exploration.
• Recent Events in the 21st Century:
o War on Terrorism, Iraq War, global pandemic (COVID-19).
o Rise of nationalism, Brexit, election of Donald Trump.
o Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
• Population Growth and Modern Era Inventions:
o World population surpassing 8 billion in 2022.
• Modern Era Inventions:
o Printing press
o Light bulb
o Airplane
o Personal computer
o Vaccines
o Automobile
o Clock
o Telephone
o Refrigeration
o Camera
• Filipino inventions
o Karaoke
o Bamboo incubator
o The Single Chip Graphical User Interface Accelerator
o Rescue 72
o The Videophone
o Conversion of plastic waste to fuel
o Lunar Rover