MODULE 2 47

Intellectual Revolutions that Defined Society

HOW TO LEARN FROM THIS MODULE

Here’s a simple guide for you in going about the module:
1. Read and follow the instructions carefully.
2. Read each lesson and do all the activities provided for you.
3. Perform all the activities diligently to help and guide you in understanding the topic.
4. Take the Learning
Activity after each
lesson to determine
how well you
understood the topic.
5. Answer the
Assessment Task at
the end of the
module to measure how much you have gained from the lessons. You may answer it via the online
link provided or write your answers on a sheet of paper that you can physically submit, or you may
take a picture of your answers and send it via messaging platforms with which you agreed with
your instructor during the class orientation.

INTRODUCTION

This module will give light to the development of science and scientific ideas
in the heart of society. It is the goal of this module to articulate ways by which society
is transformed by science and technology.

After completing the module, you should be able to answer the following:
⮚ How did Copernicus, Darwin and Freud contributed in the science and technology
development in the community?
⮚ How do social and human issues influence science?

⮚
⮚
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, the learner should be able to:

o Discuss how ideas postulated by Copernicus, Darwin, and Freud contributed
to the spark of scientific revolution and
o Articulate ways by which society is transformed by science and technology.

LEARNING CONTENT

Science is an 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.

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LESSON 1. Scientific Revolution and Some Intellectuals and their

Revolutionary Ideas

Science is defined with a four perspectives:

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

explanations 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 world. This process of study involves systematic
observation and experimentation.
3. Science as a body of knowledge. It is a subjector or a discipline, a field of
study , or a body of knowledge that deals with the process of learning about
the natural and physical world. This is what we refer to as school science.
4. 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 is a means to improve life and to
survive in life. It is interwoven with people’s life.

Scientific Revolution was the period of enlightenment when the

developments in the field of mathematics, physics , astronomy, biology, and
chemistry transformed the views of society about the nature. It explained the
emergence or birth of modern science as a result of these developments from the
discipline mentioned.

Influences to Scientific Revolution

SCIENCE IDEAS

Scientific
Revolutions

HUMANS SOCIETYFig. 2.1 Influences to

Scientific Revolution
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(STS-GEC 6) Isabela State University
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Scientific revolution is very significant in the development of human beings,

transformation of the society and in formulation of scientific ideas. In many ways,
scientific revolution transformed the natural world and the world of ideas.

Scientists in all periods of time are driven by their curiosity, critical thinking,
and creativity to explore the physical and the natural world. Their love for science is
driven by their deep passion to know and to discover.
IDEAS

SCIENCE
DISCOVERIES
CREATIVITY

CURIOSITY TECHNOLOG

SCIENTISTS

CRITICAL
THINKING
Y
Passion
to know

Passion
to
Discover
SCIENCE
Fig. 2.2 Variables that Influence the Development of
Science Ideas, Science Discoveries and Technology

Scientists are not driven by clamor for honor and publicity

they are ordinary people doing extra ordinary 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 ad challenges they
experienced, they never stopped experimenting, theorizing, and discovering new
knowledge and ideas.

In this part of the lesson, three notable scientists are discussed. It is important
to note that these men, particularly through their ideas had shaken the world.

Nicolaus Copernicus was an astronomer who proposed the heliocentric system

that the planets orbit around the Sun; that the Earth is a planet which, besides
orbiting the Sun annually, also turns once daily on its own axis; and that very slow
changes in the direction of this axis account for the precession of the equinoxes.

Science,Technology and Society

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50

One of the Renaissance men, particularly in the field of science, is Nicolaus

Copernicus.

 In one important way, Copernicus resembled the Greek ancient philosopher

or thinkers – he did not do anything extensive such as observing heavenly
bodies or inviting people to test his ideas.

 His ideas were an example of whatis presently called as a thought

experiment. By the time he finished his doctorate degree, Copernicus had
been appointed as canon at Frombork Cathedral in Poland.

 Despite his duty as a canon, he had plenty of time to sustain his interest in
astronomy. Copernicus was strongly influenced by a book entitled Epitome
published in 1496 by a German author, Johannes Mueller.

 He circulated a summary of his ideas to his ideas to his few close friends in a
manuscript called Commentariolus (Little Commentary).

 De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly

Spheres)

 Copernicus placed the Sun as the center of the universe. (Heliocentric)

 Copernicus outlined two kinds of planetary motion:

1. The orbits of the Venus and Mercury lay inside the orbit of the Earth ,thus
closer to the sun.

2. The orbit of Mars, Saturn, and lay outside the Earth’s orbit, thus farther from
the sun.

Charles Darwin was a British naturalist who developed a theory of evolution based
on natural select. He is famous for his theory of evolution. He published his book The
Origin of Species in 1589. His book The Descent of Man was so impressive yet so
controversial. He introduced all organic life, including human beings, under the realm
of evolutionary thinking.
Theory of Evolution

Darwin’s theory of evolution declared that species survived through a process

called "natural selection," where those that successfully adapted or evolved to meet
the changing requirements of their natural habitat thrived and reproduced, while
those species that failed to evolve and reproduce died off. Darwin’s theory of
evolution and the process of natural selection later became known simply as
“Darwinism.” At the time, other naturalists believed that all species either came into

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being at the start of the world or were created over the course of natural history. In
either case, they believed species remained much the same throughout time.

Sigmund Freud was the founding father of psychoanalysis, a method for treating
mental illness and also a theory which explains human behaviour. 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).

Thus, when we explain our behaviour to us or others (conscious mental

activity), us rarely give a true account of our motivation. This is not because we are
deliberately lying. While human beings are great deceivers of others; they are even
more adept at self-deception.
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 called psychoanalysis which means a scientific
way to study the human mind and neurotic illness.

Please click/ visit the link below:

Read the
article on
“Copernicus,
Darwin and
Freud: A Tale
of https://blogs.scientificamerican.co
Science and Narcissism” using m/cross-check/copernicus-darwin
the given link. and-freud-a-tale-of-science-and narcissism/

READ

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1. Let’s dig deeper!

(Lesson Check – Up)
 Answer the following questions and submit your output through
word or pdf format at _____. Refer to the given rubrics to guide you in answering.

1. What is the contribution of Copernicus in the philosophy of science?

2. What is Darwin’s contribution to modern science?
3. How can Darrwin’s evolutionary theory influence the following fields in modern
times:
∙ Economy
∙ Agriculture
∙ Political Science
∙ Religion
4. How can you describe Freudian ideas as a scientist?

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Rubric for Short Answer Question

5 points 4 points 3 points

The response indicates that The response indicates that the student The response indicates
the student has a complete has a partial understanding of the that the student does not
understanding of the concept. The student has provided a demonstrate an
concept. The student has response that includes information that understanding of
provided a response that is essentially correct, but the concept. The student
answers the question information is too general or too has provided a response
accurately and simplistic. Some of the support and/or that is inaccurate and
completely. Necessary examples may be incomplete or incomplete.
support and/or examples omitted.
are included.

On a clean sheet of paper, write your reflection on “Do you think the
Church should intervene in scientific revolution?”.

❖ ASSESSMENT TASK
Timeline on Major Discoveries and Developments in Science

Review the history of science and make a timeline highlighting the

major discoveries and developments in science in the Philippines. You may use
tables, charts etc. and submit your output through word or pdf format at _______.
 There were many intellectuals who made essential contributions in
science during the period of scientific revolution. Copernicus idea on
heliocentric theory (the sun is the center of the universes) is one of the major
significant discovery in the history of science development. Darwin also made
significant contribution in the evolutionary biology and philosophy of science.
Freud developed the idea of psychoanalysis that helped in understanding
human behavior especially neurological conditions.

❖ REFERENCES:
∙ Serafica, J. P. J., Pawilen, G. T., Caslib, B. N. B., & Alata, E. J. P,.
Science, Technology and Society, First Edition 2018, Rex Book Store,
Inc. Manila
∙ Weiner, E. (2016) The Geography of Genius: Lessons from the World
Most Creative Places
∙ Rosenfels, P. “Freud and the Scientific Method” Accessed Frebuary
17,2017. http:www.gender.eserver.org/rosenfels/Freud.htm

Science,Technology and Society

(STS-GEC 6) Isabela State University