SCIENCE,

TECHNOLOGY AND
SOCIETY (LESSON 1)
Intellectual Revolutions
that defined Society

Prepared by:
SHARMINA G. MANAMPAN
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 transformed by Science
and Technology
Scientific Revolution

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:

1. Science as an idea: It includes ideas, theories, and all

available systematic explanation and observations about the
natural and physical world.

2. Science as an intellectual activity: It

encompasses a systematic and practical study of the natural and
physical worlds. This process of study involves systematic
observation and experimentation
It is always interwoven with the
society. So, how can Science be
defined:

1. Science as a body of knowledge:

It is a subject or discipline, a field of study, or a
body of knowledge that deals with the process of
learning about natural and physical world.
(School Science
It is always interwoven with the
society. So, how can Science be
defined:

1. 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 means to improve life and to survive in life. It is
interwoven with people’s life.
The idea of Scientific revolution is claimed
to have started in the early 16th century up
to the 18th century in Europe
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 of birth of modern Science as a result of these
developments from the disciplines mentioned.
– The ideas generated during this period enabled the people to reflect,
rethink, and reexamine their beliefs and their way of life.
– There is no doubt that it ignited vast human interests to rethink how they
do Science and view Scientific processes.
 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 and condemnation from
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.
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
– GALILEO – designs 1st telescope w/lens & sees movement
of stars & moons (similar to the movement of the planets)

– Church believes heavens are fixed, unmoving & earth is

central  they are furious w/Galileo!

– Galileo accused of heresy (crimes against Church)  1633

brought to trial before Catholic Inquisition & he recants his
statements

Brainpop
 SCIEN
CE
IDEAS

SCIENTIFIC
REVOLUTION

HUMA SOCIE
N TY

Figure 1. Influences to Scientific Revolution

Scientific Revolution

– Is very significant in the development of human beings, transformation of

the society, and in the formulation of scientific ideas.
– It significantly improved the conduct of scientific investigations,
experiments, and observations.
– Also led to the creation of new research fields in science and prompted the
establishment of a strong foundation for modern science.
– In many ways, scientific revolution transformed the natural world and the
world of ideas
To be continued…

LET’S HAVE A
SHORT
ACTIVITY!
Some Intellectual and their
Revolutionary Ideas
– 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.
– Scientists in all periods of time are driven by their
curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity to explore the
physical and natural world.
Scientists love for Science is driven by their
deep passion to know and to discover:

CREATIVITY
SCIENTISTS SCIENCE IDEAS

Passion to SCIENCE
CURIOSITY know DISCOVERIES

Passion to
TECHNOLOGY
discover
CRITICAL
THINKING
Figure 2: Variables that influence the development of Science Ideas, Science
Discoveries, and Technology
Scientists are not driven by clamor of honor and publicity.
They 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 stopped experimenting, theorizing,
and discovering new knowledge and ideas
Three notable scientists, particularly
their ideas, had shaken the world

• Nicolaus Copernicus (Copernican

Revolution)
• Charles Darwin (Darwinian Revolution)
• Sigmund Freud (Freudian Revolution)
NICOLAUS COPERNICUS
(1473-1543)
– One of the Renaissance men,
particularly in the field of science.
– In one important way, Copernicus
resembled the Greek ancient
philosophers or thinkers – he did
not do anything extensive such as
observing heavenly bodies or
inviting people to test his ideas.
– Thought experiment
NICOLAUS COPERNICUS
(1473-1543)
– Copernicus was strongly
influenced by a book
entitled Epitome
published in 1496 by a
German author, Johannes
Mueller
Epitome by Johannes Mueller

– This book contains

Muller’s observations of
the heavens and some
commentary on earlier
works especially that of
Ptolemy.
NICOLAUS COPERNICUS
(1473-1543)
– Copernicus’s idea and model of
universe was essentially
complete in 1510. Not long after
that , he circulated a summary of
his ideas to his few close friends
in a manuscript called
Commentariolus (Little
Commentary)
NICOLAUS COPERNICUS
(1473-1543)
– The publication of his book
De revolutionibus orbium
coelestium (On the
Revolution of the Heavenly
Spheres) in 1543 is often
cited as the start of scientific
revolution.
NICOLAUS COPERNICUS
(1473-1543)
– Copernicus place the Sun to
be the centerpiece of the
universe.
– 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 logical sequence.
 In his model, Copernicus outlined two
kinds of planetary motion:

1. The orbits of Venus and Mercury lay inside the orbit of the
Earth, thus, closer to the Sun
2. The orbits of Mars, Saturn, Jupiter lay outside the Earth’s
orbit, thus, farther form the Sun
 The result would form a sequence from Mercury, with a
shortest year, through Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and
Saturn with the longest year.
NICOLAUS COPERNICUS
(1473-1543)
– Copernicus is a courageous man.
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.
 Think about this questions!

1. What is the contribution of Copernicus in the

Philosophy of Science?
2. Do you think thought experiment is still useful
in Science in the present time?
CHARLES DARWIN
(1809 - 1882)
– He is famous for his theory of
evolution
– He developed his interest in natural
history during his time as a student
– He would also spend time taking
long walks to observe his
surroundings while collecting
specimens and he pored over books
in his father’s library
CHARLES DARWIN
(1809 - 1882)
– Darwin’s life soon changed
when one of his professors
recommended him to join a
five-year voyage through the
HMS Beagle on the Islands of
Galapagos
CHARLES DARWIN
(1809 - 1882)

– Darwin published
his book The Origin
of Species in 1589.
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.
CHARLES DARWIN
(1809 - 1882)
– Darwin’s observational
skills as a scientist were
extraordinary that moved
beyond the realms of
plants and animals into the
realms of humans.
CHARLES DARWIN
(1809 - 1882)
– His book The Descent of Man was so
impressive yet very controversial.
– He introduced the idea of all organic
life, including human beings.
– Darwin’s theory of evolution
scientifically questioned the view of
religious and biblical design
CHARLES DARWIN
(1809 - 1882)
– Darwin’s accomplishment were
so diverse that it is useful to
distinguish two fields to which
he made contributions:
evolutionary biology and
philosophy of science
 Think about this questions!

1. What is Darwin’s contribution to modern science?

2. How can Darwin’s evolutionary theory influence the
following fields in modern times:
 Economy
 Agriculture
 Political Science
 Religion
SIGMUND FREUD
(1856 - 1939)
– Freud is a famous figure in the
field of Psychology
– 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.
SIGMUND FREUD
(1856 - 1939)
– For Freud, this method of
psychoanalysis is a scientific
way to study human mind and
neurotic illness
– His method of psychoanalysis
had great impact on the
scientific way of understanding
human nature.
SIGMUND FREUD
(1856 - 1939)
– Freud is not a traditional thinker
– 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 focus on human
sexuality and the evil nature of
man
SIGMUND FREUD
(1856 - 1939)
– Freud was born much later period
from the scientific revolution but
his contribution to knowledge can
be seen in many aspects of human
scene
– Freudian ideas and theories are
still considered nowadays as a
great inspiration to examine
human mind and behavior in a
more scientifically accepted way.
Think of these questions!

1. By looking for other sources and literatures, what

are the controversies or questions on Freud’s
ideas?
2. How can you describe Freudian ideas as a
scientist?
3. If Freud is still alive what do you think are the
major changes he would make to his theory?