BUCAS GRANDE FOUNDATION COLLEGE

m Timcang Street, Barangay Taruc, Socorro, Surigao del Norte

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

LEARNING MODULE - 2

LEAH MARIE C. MAHOMOC

Instructor

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTIONS

INTRODUCTION

You may have read about different theories that worked and were believed to be
true during ancient times. In Astronomy, for example, you have learned that Sun is the
Center of the Solar System and that the planets, including Earth, are revolving around it
in an elliptical orbit. However, people in ancient times believed that the earth was the
center of the universe. Early beliefs also claimed that human beings were created through
“Divine Creation” but this was replaced by Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural
Selection. These are just some of the examples of early theories that were challenged in
the history of Science.

What were the great Intellectual Revolutions that significantly shaped our Society?
What made these new theories controversial? Who were these people or groups of people
behind these upheavals that permanently changed the course of history of Science? What
were their needs, and what were their struggles that motivated them to engage in such
scholarly contribution?

This topic will lead you to some of the answers of these aforementioned questions.
Moreover, this topic describes how science and technology theories paved the way for the
Enlightenment and our current understanding of some of the fundamental concepts of
Science and of the world.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Discuss paradigm shifts through history.

2. Explain how intellectual revolution changed how humans see the world.

3. Select a revolutionary scientist and present his/her history.

THE MAN WHO MOVED THE SUN

The way people think about Solar

System has changed many times
throughout history. Before the
development of telescope astronomy
beliefs were based on what can be seen by
the naked eye. One of the earliest ideas on
how Solar System was structured was
introduced by Claudius Ptolemy. He
posited that planets as well as the sun and
the moon, moved in a circular motion
around the Earth, a concept which is
known as geo-centrism. This geocentric
model, considered to be one of the greatest
discoveries of all time, was widely accepted
by the people and became the astronomical
dogma in Western civilization for 1,400
years.

In the 16th century, Nicolaus Copernicus

challenged the geocentric model by putting sun
at the center of the solar system and known as
the concept of heliocentrism. This idea was
rejected at first by the public. It appalled many
since their religious belief had taught them that
the Earth was created first before all other things.
Copernicus was even persecuted as a heretic.
Of course, today we know without a
shadow of a doubt that the Earth revolves
around the sun.

THE MAN WHO CHALLENGED THE THEORY OF CREATION

Charles Darwin was an English

naturalist who studied variation in plants,
animals and fossils during a five-year
voyage around the world in the 19th
century. Darwin's theory of evolution
challenged the idea that God made all the
animals and plants that live on Earth in a
single day, which contradicted the
commonly held Christian views of his era.
He did not publish his scientific work and
ideas until 28 years after his voyage.
 Finally, as a result of Darwin's world expedition and observations, which were
enhanced by many years of experimentation, his discussions with like-minded scientists and
his developing knowledge of geology and fossils, he proposed the theory of evolution by
natural selection.

Darwin proposed that: individual organisms within a particular species show a wide
range of variation for a characteristic, individuals with characteristics most suited to the
environment are more likely to survive to breed successfully; and the characteristics that have
enabled these individuals to survive are then passed on to the next generation. This is called
Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection.

The Tree of Evolution

THE FATHER OF PSYCHOANALYSIS

In the past, the field of Psychology was always classified under philosophy. Psychology
was considered more of an art rather than a science. In the late 19th century, Sigmund Freud
was able to change people’s perception of psychology with his revolutionary theory of
psychoanalysis.

Psychoanalysis is the study of human behavior. In his theory, Freud explained that
there are many conscious and unconscious factors that can influence behavior and emotions.
He also argued that personality is a product of three conflicting elements: id, ego and
superego.

In this model, there are three metaphorical parts to the mind:

1. Id: The id operates at an unconscious level and focuses solely on instinctual drives and
desires. Two biological instincts make up the id, according to Freud: eros, or the
instinct to survive that drives us to engage in life-sustaining activities, and thanatos, or
the death instinct that drives destructive, aggressive, and violent behavior.

2. Ego: The ego acts as both a conduit for and a check on the id, working to meet the id’s
needs in a socially appropriate way. It is the most tied to reality and begins to develop
in infancy;

3. Superego: The superego is the portion of the mind in which morality and higher
principles reside, encouraging us to act in socially and morally acceptable ways.

Freud believed that events in our childhood have a great influence on our adult
lives, shaping our personality. For example, anxiety originating from traumatic
experiences in a person's past is hidden from consciousness, and may cause problems
during adulthood (in the form of neuroses).
 ACTIVITY 1

Name: Score:
Course and year:

ASSESSMENT

Directions: Research and choose a scientist and list down his/her contributions

1. Most intellectual ideas were controversial because

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2. People accepted these new discoveries despite being contradictory to what

was widely accepted at that time because
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND NATION BUILDING

Brief Historical Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines

Pre – Colonial Period

Even before the Spain colonized the country, some indigenous science and technology
has already existed with regards to agriculture like farming, animal – raising, and the
utilization of plants and herbs as medicines. The use of technology is evident in the in
handicrafts, pottery, weaving, and tools used by ancient Filipinos in their everyday life.

Innovation and ingenuity were unmistakable by the way native Filipinos built the rice
terraces by hand. They also developed tools for planting, hunting, cooking, fishing, and also
for fighting enemies during tribal conflicts. They used indigenous technology in building
houses, irrigations and transportation, both on land and on waterways.

The ancient practices in science and technology by our ancestors are now considered as
indigenous science or folk science.

Colonial Period

Spanish colonization paved way to modern means of construction. Roads, bridges, churches,
and other large infrastructures were built with more sophistication using some engineering
skills and tools brought by the Spaniards. In addition, Spanish colonizers developed health
and education system in the country.

The American colonial rule modernized almost all aspects of life in the country. They
established the Bureau of Science to initiate the development in the field of science and
technology.

Post – Colonial Period

After achieving independence from the colonial masters, the Philippines, under
different administrations, continued to pursue programs in science and technology. Each
leadership had its own S&T agenda. However, it is important to note that some Philippine
presidents introduced more developments in the field than others, which you will find out
soon as you course through this topic.

Filipino Presidents and their Contributions in the Development of Science

and Technology in the Philippines
 ACTIVITY 2

Name: Score:
Course and year:

BACK THROUGH TIME

Directions: This activity is meant for you to revisit our country’s rich historical background on its
journey to scientific and technological progress. In each period, elaborate the development of Science
& Technology and its contributions and implications to the present society. Complete the table below.

Period Contribution of the period in the development of S&T

Pre-colonial

Spanish Colonization

American Regime

Japanese Colonization
 ACTIVITY 3

Name: Score:
Course and year:

S&T IN THE COMMUNITY

Directions: Take photos that depict the use of science/technology in your community and
paste them inside the boxes below. Write a short a description of each photos.

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References:

A History of Science and Technology in the Philippines by Olivia C. Caoili

Retrieved from: https://tuxdoc.com/download/history-of-science-and-technology-in
the-philippines_pdf#download-require

McNamara, D., Valverde, V., & Beleno, R. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society
(1st ed., pp. 1-128). Quezon City: C&E Publishing Inc.

Ratnasiri, N., 2006. The role of Science and Technology in nation building. Journal of
the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, 34(3), p.113. DOI:
http://doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v34i3.3640