UNIVERSITY PRAYER

O God, wellspring of goodness and blessings, we give you thanks and praise as one Louisian community. The graces
You incessantly grant upon us and Your divine providence have sustained our beloved University throughout the years
of mission and excellence.

Having been founded by the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we pray that You keep us committed and
dedicated to our mission and identity to serve the Church and the society as we become living witnesses to the Gospel
values proclaimed by Jesus. For if we are steadfast in our good and beautiful mission, our works will bring success not
only to ourselves but also to those whom we are bound to love and serve.

Inspired by St. Louis our Patron Saint, who was filled with a noble spirit that stirred him to love You above all things ,
may we also live believing that we are born for a greater purpose and mission as we dwell in Your presence all the
days of our life.

Grant all these supplications through the intercession of

Mother Mary and through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 1

Lesson Proper:

Intellectual Revolutions in Society

Let’s remember! I know you have encountered them in your history classes before so let’s review on their
great contributions in science.

1.) Nicolaus Copernicus was a Polish astronomer known

as the father of modern astronomy. He was the first
modern European scientist to propose that Earth and other
planets revolve around the sun, or the Heliocentric
Theory of the universe. Prior to the publication of his
major astronomical work, “Six Books Concerning the
Revolutions of the Heavenly Orbs,” in 1543, European
astronomers argued that Earth lay at the center of the
universe, the view also held by most ancient philosophers
and biblical writers. In addition to correctly postulating the
order of the known planets, including Earth, from the sun,
and estimating their orbital periods relatively accurately,
Copernicus argued that Earth turned daily on its axis and
that gradual shifts of this axis accounted for the changing
seasons. ([Link]
copernicus)

2.) Charles Robert Darwin was an English naturalist, geologist and biologist, best
known of his contributions to the science of evolution. His proposition that all
species have descended over time from common ancestors is now widely accepted
and considered a foundational concept in science. In a joint publication with Alfred
Russel Wallace, he introduced his scientific theory that this branching pattern of
evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.
([Link]/[Link])

3.) Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist who developed psychoanalysis, a

method through which an analyst unpacks unconscious conflicts based on the free
associations, dreams and fantasies of the patient. His theories on child sexuality,
libido and the ego, among other topics, were some of the most influential
academic concepts of the 20th century.

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 2

 Since we already have a brief background of our three great contributors, can you imagine a world without
science as an avenue for intellect? Do you think we can still live the society even without these revolutionary
intellectuals? Perhaps no, because without them science will not bring us this far, into our own perspectives.

Therefore, for this discussion, intellectual revolutions should not be confused with the Greeks pre-Socratic
speculations about the behavior of the universe. In science and technology, intellectual revolutions refer to the
series of events that led to the emergence of modern science and the progress of scientific thinking across critical
periods in history. Although there are many intellectual revolutions, this lesson focuses on three of the most
important ones that altered the way humans view science and its impacts on society: the Copernican, Darwinian,
and Freudian revolutions.

In understanding intellectual revolutions, it is worth noting that these revolutions are, in themselves, paradigm
shifts. These shifts resulted from a renewed and enlightened understanding of how the universe behaves and
functions. They challenged long-held views about the nature of the universe. Thus, these revolutions were often
met with huge resistance on controversy.

A. COPERNICAN REVOLUTION
Refers to the 16th century paradigm shift named after the Polish mathematician and astronomer, Nicolaus
Copernicus. He formulated the HELIOCENTRIC MODEL of the universe.

“The center of the solar system was not Earth but the Sun”
-Copernicus

This image is the heliocentric model. The sun being the

center of the solar system.

Copernicus introduced the heliocentric model in a 40-page

outline entitled Commentariolus. He formalized his model in the
publication of his treatise, De Revolutioibus Orbium Coelestium
(The Revolution of Celestial Spheres).

In his model, Copernicus repositioned the Earth from the

center of the Solar System and introduced the idea that the Earth
rotates on its own axis.

CONFLICT on HELIOCENTRIC MODEL:

The idea that the Sun is at the center of the universe was in conflict with GEOCENTRISM (Ptolemy’s
theory), as Earth being the center of the Solar System.

What happened to the heliocentric model?

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 3

 One of the Renaissance men, particularly in the field of science, is Nicolas Copernicus. Knowledge about
the nature of the universe had been essentially unchanged since the great days of Ancient Greece before
Copernicus came on the scene. This continued up to the Renaissance period. 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 so it was just a thought experiment. Copernicus was strongly
influenced by a book entitled Epitome, Muller’s book which contains observations of heavens and some
commentary on earlier works especially that of Ptolemy.

Copernicus’ idea and model of the 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).

In his book, he wanted a model of the universe in which everything moved around a single center at
unvarying rates. Copernicus placed the Sun to be the centerpiece of the universe. The Earth and all the
planets are surrounding or orbiting the Sun each year. The Moon, however, would still be seen orbiting the Earth.
Copernicus’ model of the Earth orbiting around the Sun automatically positioned the planets into a 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, and Jupiter lay outside the Earth’s orbit, thus farther from the Sun.

From this model, he would work on the length of time it will take for each planet to orbit once around 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. He placed the planets in order of increasing distance from the Sun. One of the
great problems in the Copernicus model, however, was the position of the stars. The stars cannot be placed in a
fixed position like crystals in a distance sphere.

LEARNING TASK

In not more than 5 sentences, share your insights on this question.

A. In these modern times, what are other scientific evidences that support the heliocentric model of
Nicolaus Copernicus?

B. DARWINIAN REVOLUTION

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 4

 The concept of evolution is depicted in the previous pictures. Charles Darwin’s famous Natural Selection is
one of the limelight of science. It tells us that organisms including humans, inherit, develop, and adapt traits that
favor survival and reproduction. I’m sure that this theory had been discussed repeatedly in your history and
science subjects before and this is not new to you. Come to think of it, do we really come from monkeys? Up to
now there are still no strong evidences that will support that belief but I know some of you are really confused. If
that’s the case, then Darwin’s theory did not fail to prove the way how we see science. We are then products of
the great influence of what we so call Darwinian revolution.

What is Darwinian Revolution?

 The English naturalist, geologist, and biologist, Charles Darwin is credited for stirring another important
intellectual revolution in the mid-19th century. His treatise on the science of evolution, On the Origin of
Species, was published in 1859 and began a revolution that brought humanity to a new era of intellectual
discovery.

 This benefitted from earlier intellectual revolutions especially those in the 16 th and 17th centuries, such that
it was guided by confidence in human reason’s ability to explain phenomena in the universe.

 This theory of evolution was, of course, met with resistance and considered to be controversial. Critics
accused the theory of being either short in accounting for the broad and complex evolutionary process or
dismissive of the idea that the functional design of organisms was a manifestation of an omniscient God.

What happened to the Darwinian theory?

Darwin published his book 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 adaptation that
differentiate species. Like many other scholars, Darwin accumulated many pertinent materials data that he could
ever possibly need to substantiate his theory.

Darwin’s observational skills as scientist were extraordinary that moved beyond the realms of plants and
animals into the realms of humans. His book The Descent of Man was so impressive yet very controversial. He
introduced the idea of all organic life, including human beings, under the realm of evolutionary thinking. This
replaced the dominant views of a religious or biblical design that places human beings in a privileged position of
having been created by God. Darwin’s theory of evolution scientifically questioned this view.

His accomplishments were so diverse that it is useful to distinguish two fields to which he made major
contributions: evolutionary biology and philosophy of science. More than these works, what made Darwin truly
remarkable was his courage to challenge religious and unscientific ideas that are deemed to be prominent during
those days. His unconventional way of pursuing science gave more value to evidence-based science.

LEARNING TASK

In not more than 4 sentences, share your insights on this question.

B. Since the 1800s, Charles Darwin’s idea of “survival of the fittest” was applied to political, social,
and cultural realm, creating the ideology “Social Darwinism”. What can be the positive and negative
implications of this ideology to modern times?
1. Economy 2. Agriculture SCTS
3. Political 1013 - Science,
Science 4. Technology
Religion and Society | 5
 Austrian neurologist, Sigmund Freund, is credited for stirring a 20th- century intellectual revolution named
after him, the Freudian Revolution. Psychoanalysis as a school of thought in Psychology is at the center
of this revolution.

What is Psychoanalysis?
- A scientific method of understanding inner and unconscious conflicts embedded within one’s
personality, spring from free associations, dreams and fantasies of the individual.

- Psychoanalysis is part of a larger movement known as depth psychology, which argues that the
most important aspects of personality lie below the level of conscious introspection, and are not
visible to those who confine their observations to superficial features of social behavior. All depth
psychologies make use of the iceberg metaphor: just as only one-ninth of an iceberg is visible
above the surface of the ocean, so only a small portion of personality is apparent in what people
do, and think, in the ordinary course of everyday living. People are not aware of, or at least cannot
articulate, the reasons for their own behavior. For this reason, overt behavior of the type assessed
by trait psychologists is of little interest -- the more appropriate focus is on what lies below.
([Link]

Chart retrieved from: ([Link]

This flowchart
 Freud suggested that humans are inherently pleasure-seeking summarizes the theory of
individuals. Psychoanalysis. It has

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 6

  Scientists working on a biological approach in studying human behavior criticized psychoanalysis
for lack of vitality and bordering on being unscientific as a theory. Particularly, the notion that all
humans are destined to exhibit Oedipus and Electra complexes (Example: Sexual desire towards
the parent of the opposite sex and exclusion of the parent of the same sex) did not seem to be
supported by empirical data. They call then Psychoanalysis as an ideological instance than a
scientific one.

What happened to Freud’s theory?

 Amidst controversy, Freud’s psychoanalysis is widely credited for dominating psychotherapeutic practice in
the early 20th century. Psychodynamic therapies that treat a myriad of psychological disorders still remain
largely informed by Freud’s work on psychoanalysis.

LEARNING TASK

In not more than 4 sentences, share your insights on this question.

C. By looking for other sources and literatures, what are the controversies or questions on Freud’s
ideas?

CRADLES OF EARLY SCIENCE

Since time immemorial, inventions in science and technology have contributed greatly to improve our way
of living. Can you imagine us today without these inventions? The world now will be miserable if these were not
invented. In order for us to better understand this, let us study three developments of science in Mesoamerica,
Asia, and Africa. At this point, let’s time travel and take a look in the progress of our society with the help of our
history.

DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE IN MESOAMERICA

Whe re is Mesoamerica?

- The term Mesoamerica is derived from the Greek and

means "Middle America." It refers to a geographical
and cultural area which extends from central Mexico
down through Central America, including the territory
which is now made up of the countries of Guatemala,
Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. It is therefore
seen as partly in North America, and encompassing a
large part of Central America

A. Maya Civilization
 It is one of the famous civilizations in Mesoamerica that lasted for approximately 2,000 years. These
people are known for their works in astronomy ( Moon, planets, Milky Way, Sun, and astronomical
phenomena by the Pre-Columbian Maya Civilization of Mesoamerica)

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 7

 Mayan knowledge and understanding about celestial
bodies were advanced for their time, as evidenced by
their knowledge of predicting eclipse and using
astrological cycles in planting and harvesting. They
are also known for measuring time using two
complicated calendar systems. These calendars were
very useful for their life especially in planning their
activities and in observing their religious rituals and
 Mayans also developed the technology for growingcultural celebrations.
different crops and building elaborate cities using
ordinary machineries and tools. They built hydraulics system with sophisticated waterways to supply water
to different communities.

HYDRAULI MICA
CS
 Mayans also built looms for weaving cloth and devised a rainbow of glittery paints made from a mineral
mica.

 They are also believed to be one of the first people to produce rubber products 3,000 years before
Goodyear received its patent in 1844.

 Famous of using a writing system Mayan hieroglyphic. Mayans made use of a very well-developed and
advanced written language. Since the language comprised of symbols and images, resembling the
language of ancient Egypt, the Spanish conquistadors termed it hieroglyphics. The individual units in the
language, or its alphabets, were called glyphs. The use of Mayan hieroglyphics was limited to the Mayan
priestly class. The priests used the language to pen down books on a wide range of subjects, including
books related to astronomy, religion, mythology and mathematics. Mayan hieroglyphics were also
inscribed on monumental structures as part of stelas or carvings.

 Skilled in mathematics and created a number system based on the numeral 20

 Developed the concept of zero and positive value even before the Romans did.

B. Inca Civilization
SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 8
 The Inca first
appeared in the
Andes region
during the 12th
century A.D.
and gradually
built a massive
kingdom
through the
military
strength of their
emperors.
Known as
Tawantinsuyu,
the Inca state
spanned the
distance of
northern
Ecuador to
central Chile
and consisted
of 12 million
inhabitants
from more than 100 different ethnic groups at its peak. Well-
devised agricultural and roadway systems, along with a
centralized religion and language, helped maintain a cohesive
state. Despite their power, the Inca were quickly overwhelmed
by the diseases and superior weaponry of Spanish invaders,
the last bastion of their immense empire overtaken in 1572.
The Inca first appeared in what is today southeastern Peru
during the 12th century A.D. According to some versions of
their origin myths, they were created by the sun god, Inti, who
sent his son Manco Capac to Earth through the middle of
three caves in the village of Paccari Tampu. After killing his
brothers, Manco Capac led his sisters and their followers
through the wilderness before settling in the fertile valley near
Cusco circa 1200.
([Link] )

 The Incas made advanced scientific ideas considering their limitations as an old civilization. The following
were scientific ideas and tools that they developed to help them in everyday life:
1. Roads paved with stones
2. Stone buildings that surmounted earthquakes and other disasters
3. Irrigation system and technique for storing water for their crops to grow in all types of lands
4. Calendar with 12 months to mark their religious festivals and prepare them for planting season
5. The first suspension bridge
6. Quipu, a system of knotted ropes to keep records that only experts can interpret
7. Inca textiles since cloth was one of the specialties prized artistic achievements.

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 9

 STONE
BUILDING

INCA’S

INCA’S
FIRST INCA’S
C. Aztec Civilization IRRIGATIO

Aztec, self-name Culhua-Mexica, Nahuatl-speaking people who in the 15th and early 16th centuries ruled a
large empire in what is now central and southern Mexico. The Aztecs are so called from Aztlán (“White Land”),
an allusion to their origins, probably in northern Mexico. They were also called the Tenochca, from an
eponymous ancestor, Tenoch, and the Mexica, probably from
Metzliapán (“Moon Lake”), the mystical name for Lake
Texcoco. From Tenochca was derived the name of their great
city, Tenochtitlán, and from Mexica came the name for the city
that superseded the Aztecs capital and for the surrounding
valley, which was applied later to the whole Mexican nation.
The Aztecs referred to themselves as Culhua-Mexica, to link
themselves with Colhuacán, the center of the most-civilized
people of the Valley of [Link] alsopre-Columbian
civilizations: Aztec culture to the time of theSpanish conquest.

([Link]

 Following the Inca, the Aztec civilization has also made

substantial contributions to science and technology and to
the society as a whole. Some of their contributions are the
following:

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 10

1. Mandatory Education. The Aztec puts value on education; that is why their children is mandated
to get education regardless of their social class, gender, or age. It is an early form of universal or
inclusive education.

2. Chocolates. The Aztec in Mexico developed chocolate during their time. in the Mayan culture they
used it as a currency. The Aztec valued the cacao beans highly and made it as part of their tribute
to their gods.

3. Antispasmodic medication. They used a type of antispasmodic medication that could prevent
muscle spasms and relax muscles, which could help during surgery.

4. Chinampa. It is a form of Aztec technology for agricultural farming in which the land was divided
into rectangular areas and surrounded by canals.

5. Aztec calendar. This enabled them to plan their activities, rituals and planting season.

6. Invention of the canoe. A light narrow boat used for traveling in water systems.

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 11

 A. CHINAMPA B. AZTEC CALENDAR C. AZTEC’S CANOE

DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE IN ASIA

Asia is the biggest continent in the world and the home of many ancient civilizations. It is a host to many
cultural, economic, scientific, and political activities of all ages. In the field of science, technology, and
mathematics, great civilizations have stood out: India, China, and the Middle East Civilizations. These
civilizations were incomparable in terms of their contributions to the development of knowledge during their
time.

A. India

 It is a huge peninsula surrounded by vast bodies of water and fortified by huge mountains in its northern
boarders. The Indians creatively developed various ideas and technologies useful in their everyday lives.

 They are known of manufacturing iron and in metallurgical works. Their iron steel is considered to be the
best and held with high regard in the whole of Roman empire.

 Famous also of medicine. For example, Ayurveda, a system of traditional medicine that originated in
ancient India before 2500 BC, is still practiced as a form of alternative medicine. They discovered some
medicinal properties of plants that led them to develop medicines to cure various illnesses. Some ancient

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 12

 texts like Susruta Samhita, describes different surgical and other medical procedures famous in ancient
India.

 Notable in the field of astronomy. They developed theories on the configuration of the universe, the
spherical self-supporting Earth, and the year of 360 days with 12 equal parts of 30 days each.

Siddhanta Shiromani – textbook of ancient India which covered topics such as: mean longitudes
of the planets; true longitudes of the planets; three problems of diurnal rotation; syzygies; lunar
eclipses; solar eclipses; latitudes of the planets; risings and settings; the moon’s crescent;
conjunctions of the planets with the fixed stars; and the paths of the Sun and Moon.
 Mohenjodaro ruler was designed by Indians in the Indus Valley Civilization to standardize measurement
of length to a high degree of accuracy.

 Aryabhatiya book made by Aryabhata (476-550) introduced a number of trigonometric functions, tables,
and techniques, as well as algorithms of algebra.

 Brahmagupta suggested that gravity was a force of attraction and lucidly explained the use of zero as
both a placeholder and a decimal digit along with Hindu-Arabic numeral system now used universally
throughout the world.

 Madhava of Sangamagrama is considered as the founder of mathematical analysis.

Ancient India was an early leader in metallurgy, as evidenced by

the wrought iron Pillar of Delhi.

Astrolabe- The Astrolabe is an ancient instrument

that measures the positions of stars and the solar
system.

B. China

 One of the ancient civilizations with

substantial contributions in many areas
of life like medicine, astronomy,
science, mathematics, arts,
SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 13
 philosophy, and music among others. Its civilization greatly influenced many of its neighbor countries
like Korea, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and other countries that
belong to the old Silk Road.

 Known for traditional medicines. They discovered various medical properties and uses of different
plants and animals to cure human illness. Example is the practice of acupuncture.

 Invented compass, papermaking, gunpowder, and printing tools.

 Invented also, tools like iron plough, wheelbarrow, and propeller.

 Developed design of different models of bridges, invented first seismological detector, and developed a
dry dock facility.

 Made significant records on supernovas, lunar and solar eclipses, and comets, which were carefully
recorded and preserved to understand better the heavenly bodies and their effects to our world.

China made substantial contributions in various fields. The list of their discoveries and inventions is overwhelming.
These contributions were made along with mathematics, logic, philosophy, and medicine. However, cultural
factors prevented these Chinese achievements from developing into modern science.

China’s Early Rockets China’s

Ancient

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 14

 China’s Ancient Plow China’s Ancient Gunpowder

C. Middle East Countries

 The Middle East countries are dominantly occupied by Muslims. With the spread of Islams in the 7 th
and 8th centuries, a period of Muslim scholarship, or what is called the Golden Age of Islam lasted until
the 13th century.

 Muslim scientist named Ibn al-Haytham is regarded as the Father of Optics in his empirical proof of
the intromission theory of light

 Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi gave his name to the concept of algorithm while the term
algebra is derived from al-jabr, the beginning of the title of one of his publications.

 Jabir ibn Hayyan a Muslim chemist who was considered as the Father of Chemistry.

 Ibn Sina pioneered the science of experimental medicine and was the first physician to conduct clinical
trials. His two most notable works in medicine, the Book of Healing and The Canon of Medicine were
used as a standard medicinal text in both the Muslim world and in Europe during the 17 th century.
Among his many contributions are the discovery of the contagious nature of infectious diseases and
the introduction of clinical pharmacology.

There are numerous Muslim scholars who made significant contributions in the field of science, astronomy,
philosophy, and even in the field of social sciences. The decline of this golden age of Islam started in the 11 th to
13th century due to the conquest of the Mongols whereby libraries, observatories, and other learning institutions
were destroyed.

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 15

 Ibn al-Haytham Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi Jabir ibn Hayyan

(Father of Optics) (Father of Chemistry)

DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE IN AFRICA

Africa is blessed with natural and mineral resources. Science also emerged in this part of the planet long
before the European colonized it. The history of science and mathematics show that similar to the other ancient
civilizations, the early civilizations in Africa are knowledge producers too.

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 16

 The ancient Egyptian civilization has contributed immensely and made significant advances in the fields of
astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. For example, the development of geometry was a product of
necessity to preserve the layout and ownership of farmlands of the Egyptians living along the Nile River.

 Egypt was known to be the center of alchemy, which is known as the medieval forerunner of chemistry.
They tried to study human anatomy and pharmacology and applied important components such as
examination, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for the treatment of diseases. These components
displayed strong parallels to the basic empirical method of studying science.

 Astronomy was also famous in the African Region. For instance, documents show that Africans used three
types of calendars: lunar, solar, and stellar or a combination of three.

 Metallurgy was also known in the African regions during the ancient times. North Africa and the Nile Valley
imported iron technology from the Near East region that enabled them to benefit from the developments
during the Bronze Age until the Iron Age. They invented metal tools used in their homes, in agriculture,
and in building their magnificent architectures.

 Mathematics was also known to be prominent in the life of early people in the African continent. The
Lebombo Bone from the mountains between Swaziland and South Africa, which may have been a tool for
multiplication, division, and simple mathematical calculation or a six-month lunar calendar, is considered to
be the oldest known mathematical artifact dated from 35,000 BCE.

 The Islamic regions in Africa during the medieval period was also benefiting from mathematical learning,
which is considered advanced during those times such as algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

AFRICA’S ALCHEMY

AFRICA’S METALLURGY PRODUCT

*** END of the Lesson Proper***

SCTS 1013 - Science, Technology and Society | 17