UNIT I

GENERAL CONCEPTS AND

HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
 
Learning objectives:
• discuss how science and technology affect the environment and society;

• discuss the factors which affect the advancement of science and

technology;

• identify the important persons throughout the history of science and

technology, and discuss the importance of science and technology in
society.
INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
WHAT IS SCIENCE?
‘Science’ can be explained into three definitions.
• First, science is a branch of knowledge that seeks to
understand and describe natural phenomena such as thunder,
seed germination, and tidal waves.
• Second, ‘science’ is an intellectual activity wherein it refers to
the process of systematic and objective investigation of the
natural world.
• Third, ‘science’ is a personal and social activity in which it
makes way for humans to have a better understanding of the
world and their inner selves, realizing that science is connected
with everyone’s life and the society.
 WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY?
• ‘Technology’ can be defined as an artifact from which it refers
to products that are invented and are widely used by people
such as a printer, the computer, and television.
• Technology can be construed as a technique. It refers to
processes that benefit the different sectors of the economy,
like grafting and hydroponics for agriculture, surgery,
chemotherapy, biopsy, etc., in medicine.
• Technology can be described as personal and social activity.
• Technology serves as a tool to improve and facilitate human
living and social interaction with others.
 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• Science and Technology affect each other in ways from which they are needed so that each
can be used successfully. Science is required to progress technology as well as technology
is necessary to improve science.

Figure 1. Dual interactions between science and

technology
• Science and technology is described as a personal and social
activities, they also have dual interactions with society.

Figure 2. Dual interactions of science and

technology with the society between science
and technology

 
 ANCIENT WORLD
• In early times, human ancestors used tools made from stones and
woods as technology during the stone age. The use of these progresses
as the early hunters developed skills and techniques to make weaponry
through fire. Interaction and migration of people came to the
development and advancement of this technology.

• As population increases and food resources started to decrease, people

switched from foraging to agriculture. Humans started to cultivate the
land to plant different crops and domesticate animals as sources of meat
and milk products. This lead to the Agricultural Revolution, which
started primarily in the Middle East.
• Agricultural Revolution
Many new plants and animals were cultivated and domesticated for
human consumption and feedstock. Humans started to use, and metal and
ceramic products. Copper is the first metal known and used by man in
6500 BC. In this period, human settlement through towns started.
• Transportation was improved through the development of wheels.
• Ceramics was further utilized, and communication prospered through the
invention of writing.
• Many products made from bronze, copper, and iron began to emerge.
This preceded the rise of civilizations from which scientific knowledge
and technological advancements further flourished through the rise and
improvement of bridges, roads, and agricultural irrigations.
CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY
• Began in the center of Mediterranean sea interlocking between
Greek and Roman civilizations.
• The Ionian School of Philosophy particularly introduced the
earliest form of the scientific method, which is based on
observation and reasoning.
• Many Greek philosophers who laid the foundation of modern-
day science arose in this period. They are the ones who used
the basic foundation of the scientific method initially for the
understanding of the natural world and the universe. The
significant philosophers of classical antiquity were Socrates,
Plato, and Aristotle.
SOCRATES (470-339 BC)
• Socrates built the basic foundation of making a
hypothesis, which is the initial building block of the
scientific method for specific research in his known
method of inquiry called elenchus. By applying this
method, a specific problem or situation was broken
down into a series of questions that need to be answered.
PLATO (427-37 BC)

• Highlighted the concept of having ‘proof’ in

research.
• He emphasized a clear hypothesis of
understanding nature and believed that all
substances are made up of air, water, earth, and
fire.
• Plato was a student of Socrates.
ARISTOTLE (384-322 BC)

• Initiated the discipline of using the deductive

method of scientific inquiry.
• Established natural principles as achieved
through careful observation, which is also an
essential component of the scientific method.
• Aristotle was a student of Plato.
• The center of scientific knowledge was established in
the city of Alexandria in Egypt.
• In Africa, the Edwin Smith Papyrus, one of the first
important scientific texts about ancient surgery methods,
was made. Another, the scientific discipline of chemistry
through the process of fermentation, distillation, and
tanning, was also established.

• The construction of the Great Wall of China was one

of China's technological achievements at that time.
MIDDLE AGES (530 AD)

• The progression of science and technology turned to decrease

due to the onset of diseases, poverty, wars, and scarcity of
food resources and rise of Christianity in Europe.
• The strong hindrance of the Church about early philosophers
and scientists' teachings and ideas greatly impacted the
development of science and technology.
• The Roman Empire, from 530 AD to 1000 AD, was not so
much interested in theoretical science.
• Science seemed to decline in Europe, medicine
remained and grew due to an important need.
• The deadly plague ravaged Europe, and
Christians felt the need to further their knowledge
of medicine to develop a cure.
• On the contrary, the outbreak of the deadly disease
that devastated Europe and Christians paved the
way to escalate the field of medicine to develop a
cure or vaccine.
• the center of science and technology was lifted to Asia, specifically in
China and nearby countries.
• In India, for example, astronomy, medicine, and mathematics became
well-advanced. One of their important contributions is the significance of
the number zero in mathematics.
• The onset of Islamic civilization from which through this civilization,
new techniques, new chemicals such as borax, and new astronomical
table for the calculation of planetary positions, eclipses, and calendrical
information was established.
• In the field of medicine, new instruments and treatment procedures
were developed.
• However, there is a failure to advance the area of anatomy as Islam
disallow the process body autopsy during that time.
• Emperor Charlemagne revived science in
Europe.
• Ordered the establishment of schools that
became centers of knowledge and discovery.
• Other advancements in science and technology.
• Development of clocks and moving objects and
the utilization of water and wind as sources of
electricity.
 Latter part of the Middle Ages
• Considered to be the Age of Discovery and
Exploration.
• Explorations were made possible through the
advancements in science and technology.
• Two of the most important developments were ships
made for long voyages and the compass's invention.
• The progress in geography and cartography became
so famous as human societies spread after The Black
Death in Europe.
 TASKS:
(To be sent in Google classroom)
1. Answer Worksheet #1 – Ancient and Middle
Ages

2. Answer Activity #1- Look 4 me!