Introduction on Intellectual ➢ The heliocentric model states
Revolutions that the Sun is the
What is “intellectual Revolution’?
Intellectual revolutions can be
defined as the historical
changes in the thoughts, beliefs
and social institutions due to
new ideas and principles. When
science and technology are the
center of an intellectual
revolution, it can be called a
Scientific revolution.
Note: 'Scientific revolution' may also
refer to the historical period when
science became more important and
influential during the Middle Ages.
In human history, there were
three intellectuals who
significantly changed the views
about the world and humanity.
They were Nicolaus
Copernicus, Charles Darwin
and Sigmund Freud.
Intellectual Revolution
Nicholaus Copernicus (1473-1543)
➢ Copernicus was a Polish
astronomer and mathematician.
His heliocentric model of the
universe proposed that the sun is
the center of the universe. It
opposed the geocentric model,
which said that the Earth is the
center of the universe, as proposed
by Ptolemy and Aristotle and
supported by the Church.
Heliocentric Model
center of the
universe and the
Earth is just one of
the planets
revolving around it.
➢ Although Copernicus' work
lacked mathematical and
physical explanations and
evidences, it was still
considered significant for two
reasons.
➢ First, before and during the
time of Copernicus, astrology
is more important than
astronomy. We know today
that astrology is not a real
science.
➢ In astrology, the Earth was
considered a powerful,
extraordinary celestial body
that is the center of the
universe. This was supported
by the geocentric model of
Ptolemy and Aristotle.
➢ Also, astrologers at that time
needed to cast horoscopes
and do other astrological
activities in order to gain
acceptance and support from
the society and the
Church. The society was
dependent on horoscopes and
astrological outputs. When
Copernicus' heliocentric
theory gained acceptance,
society started to change.
➢ Copernicus questioned the
ideas of Ptolemy and Aristotle.
His model suggested that the
Earth is equal to the other
planets and they all revolve
around the Sun.
➢ This debunked the astrological
view. People at that time began
to question astrology and
started to embrace more the
science of astronomy.
➢ The second significance of
Copernicus' work is that it laid
the foundation for succeeding
scientists to do revolutionary
things. His successors were
Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler
and Galileo Galilei. These
scientists made it possible to
understand and explain many
phenomena in the universe in a
mathematical way.
➢ The findings of Copernicus,
along with his successors,
changed the society's view
about astronomy. It became
more acceptable. Galileo's
work made the telescope
popular even for non-
astronomers. This marked the
beginnings of popular science
and science fiction.
Charles Darwin (1809-1882)
➢ Charles Darwin was an English
scientist whose works, Origin of
Species and Decent of Man,
discussed his ideas on the
evolution of species and
mankind.
➢ Darwin's works were
controversial especially to
creationists and to the
religious.
➢ Darwin's works suggested that
humans are natural and are
subject to the laws of science.
➢ During Darwin's time, humans
were treated as very special
beings as compared to other
organisms. It was as if humans
were supernatural creations.
➢ Darwin's works also proposed
that natural selection is the
main rational behind humans'
current existence and
attributes. He suggested that
humans evolved from pre-
existing organisms as opposed
to the creationist view that God
created humans.
➢ Third, Darwin's works
suggested that humans are not
so different versus other
organisms - that humans,
crabs, dogs, trees, worms and
other organisms are equal.
They are all species.
➢ From this new thinking,
Charles Darwin changed how
society viewed humanity.
➢ Even though Darwin's works
were controversial, his
supporters increased across
the world, even among
religious personalities.

➢ Later, studies by other
scientists supported or revised
Darwin's theory of evolution.
Tody, Charles Darwin is
recognized as the pioneer of
the field of evolutionary
biology.
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
➢ Sigmund Freud was an Austrian
neurologist whose works in
psychology are considered
revolutionary.
➢ He was credited for
psychoanalysis, theory on
psychosexual development,
dream interpretation and the id,
ego and superego.
➢ Freud proposed
psychoanalysis as a scientific
method to understand the
mind.
➢ Although today, many
scientists consider Freud's
works as pseudoscience
because of insufficient
evidence and failure to be
proven accurately. However,
he is still considered
revolutionary because he
changed how society viewed
the human self.
➢ Freud rejected the idea from
'Enlightenment' that humans
are rational and can control his
emotions and drives through
reasoning.
Other Revolutions
➢ Freud suggested otherwise,
saying that humans have a
subconscious and
unconscious mind which may
control emotions, drives and
behavior.
➢ He believed that humans have
the tendency to be unaware of
their behaviors and their
emotions, making them
irrational.
➢ Freud rejected the idea from
'Enlightenment' that humans
are rational and can control his
emotions and drives through
reasoning.
➢ Freud suggested otherwise,
saying that humans have a
subconscious and
unconscious mind which may
control emotions, drives and
behavior.
➢ He believed that humans have
the tendency to be unaware of
their behaviors and their
emotions, making them
irrational.
➢ Another field of work of Freud
is the interpretation of dreams.
➢ For Freud, dreams are
connected to one's
experiences. They are
somehow products of the
unconscious mind that are
based on unfulfilled wishes.
Intellectual Revolution in Meso-
America
Meso-America covers most of
the present-day Central
America. There were important
scientific and technological
developments in Meso-
America primarily done by the
Maya, Inca and Aztec
civilizations.
The Maya Civilization is known
for its early studies in
astronomy, and engineering.
They have know-how on paper
making and have their own
writing system, the Maya
hieroglyphics.
The Inca Civilization is known
for their paved roads, irrigation
systems, and quipo, a record
system using knotted ropes.
The Aztec civilization is known
for the mandatory education of
their children. They are also
known for their chinampas, a
way of farming in canals.
Intellectual Revolution in Asia
The Indian civilization is known
for steel works. They are also
known for their system of
traditional medicine known as
Ayurveda.
The Indonesians learned to
construct Candis in the 8th
century. Candis are religious
structures with both Buddhist
and Hindu heritage, mostly
built from the 8th to 15th
centuries.
The Japanese developed the
traditional kampo medicine
which had Chinese origins.
Intellectual Revolution in
Middle East and Africa
Africa
Ibn al-Haytham is considered
the 'Father of Optics' due his
studies on light.
Jabir ibn Hayyan is known for
his early works in alchemy and
metallurgy.
Ibn Sina is known for his works
in Medicine especially in the
area of infectious diseases and
pharmacology.
In Africa, Egyptian civilization
was the most advanced. The
city of Alexandria was an
intellectual and scientific
center during the Middle Ages.
In the rest of Africa, metallurgy
was well-developed. This is
mainly due to the region's rich
 deposits of minerals like gold,
copper and iron.
Information Revolution
➢ Refers to the change in the
social, economic and political
role of information.
➢ The generation and use of
information has led to
important developments in
modern science.
➢ Affected all aspects of the
society: from individual lives to
local and global economies
and governments.
➢ The start of the information
revolution was made possible
by the invention of language,
writing and printing.
Language is associated
with the beginning of
humanity.
Writing is important in
the rise of civilizations.
Printing is significant to
the rise of modern
civilization.
➢ Language is one of the factors
that differentiates humans
from its evolutionary
ancestors. It is also a unifying
factor for humanity. All
humans use language to
communicate or to exchange
information.
➢ The rise of civilizations in the
Middle East is coupled with the
invention of writing.
➢ Writing enabled the
documentation of early events,
norms, social and political
activities, among others.
➢ It was able to preserve
information into a form that
could be passed on to future
generations.
➢ Printing is important in the rise
of modern civilizations. The
invention of printing enabled
the distribution of important
scientific, religious and
historical texts such as
Copernicus' De revolutionibus
orbium coelestium and the
Bible.
➢ Computers allowed the
processing and calculation of
digital information.
➢ The invention of storage
devices enabled the storing
and sharing of information or
data.
➢ Optical communication
allowed the establishment of
communication networks and
Internet technology.
➢ Information revolution had
profound impact to
economies, governments and
societies. Today, fundamental
access to information is one of
 the goals of nations for
development.
➢ In politics and government,
information revolution made
possible the increase in
government transparency,
development of online
campaigning and automated
elections, among others.
➢ Local grass root and global e-
commerce are now possible
through the use of mobile
devices and the internet.
➢ In the work environment,
information revolution
decreased the 'distance'
between employees and
employers by enabling
telecommuting.
Telecommuting refers to
working from home, using the
Internet, telephone or email. It
is now possible for workers to
stay with their families while
working, do part-time jobs, and
have some flexibility in terms
of work schedule.
➢ Information revolution has
both positive and negative
impact to society. It actually
made it easier for people to
access information and to
communicate. However,
sometimes this is abused and
some people are spreading
irrelevant or incorrect
information. This leads to
misinformation which is very
dangerous for the society.
Summary
➢ Scientific revolutions have
changed society's thoughts,
beliefs and behaviors through
new ideas and principles. In
history, there are four main
scientific revolutions:
Copernican, Darwinian,
Freudian and Information
Revolutions.
➢ Every part of the world like
Meso-America, Asia, Middle
East and Africa have their
unique contributions to the
development of science and
technology based on the
resources available and on the
needs of society. In turn, the
discoveries in science and
technology have changed
society's way of thinking and
way of living. Moreover, they
are always two sides on the
impact of science and
technology to society, the
positive and/or the negative.