Intellectual

Revolutions that
defined Society
 Introduction

The developments during the Intellectual

Revolution showed how society was transformed
by science and technology.This chapter aims to
establish the interaction between science and
technology and society,
 COPERNICAN REVOLUTION
In the early times, people questioned what created days
and nights. They wanted to understand what heavenly
bodies like stars, moons, and planets are. The invention
of the telescope allowed the people to take a peek at the
outer space, but more importantly, it also intrigued them
to know what was actually out there.
A famous philosopher and astronomer, Claudius
Ptolemy, stated that the planets, as well as the
sun and the moon, moved in a circular motion
around the Earth. The sun and moon's revolution
explained the existence of days and nights. He
believed that the Earth was at the center a
concept known as Geocentrism. Ptolemy's
geocentric model was widely accepted by the
people and was one of the greatest discoveries
of that time.
In the 16th century, Nicolaus Copernicus, a Polish astronomer,
introduced Heliocentrism, proposing that the Sun, not the
Earth, was the center of the Solar System. This idea opposed
the Ptolemaic model and religious teachings, which held the
Earth as central and created first. His theory was initially
rejected, appalling many, and led to his persecution as a
heretic for challenging widely accepted beliefs.

Over time, astronomers recognized that the Copernican model

simplified planetary orbits and resolved issues the geocentric
model could not explain. Supporting works emerged, leading to
its acceptance during the birth of modern astronomy. This
marked the start of the scientific revolution, transforming
society's thoughts and beliefs.
 Darwinian Revolution
The Darwinian Revolution was one of the most
controversial intellectual movements of its time.
In 1859, Charles Darwin published *On the Origin
of Species*, where he introduced the theory of
evolution. He proposed that populations undergo
natural selection, where only the fittest survive
and reproduce. Over time, organisms adapt to
their environment, gradually evolving into forms
better suited for survival, a process known as
evolution.
Darwin's theory of evolution was highly controversial because it
was seen as contradicting the church's teachings that life was
created by a divine power. At the time, most people accepted
the biblical account of creation, leading to a divide. While some
supported the theory as an explanation for the origin of life,
many religious believers strongly opposed it, sparking a major
debate between science and religion. Over time, however,
people began to understand that Darwin's theory and religious
beliefs could coexist.
 FREUDIAN REVOLUTION

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 that explains 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: the id, the ego, and the superego.
Science hardliners brushed off the legitimacy of
psychoanalysis as a science since its concepts were
more philosophical and supernatural.

Despite criticisms, Freud still continued to work on

refining his theory and in fact tried to explain how
psychoanalysis can be a clinical method in treating
some mental disorders. Soon enough, people were able
to understand the concepts of psychoanalysis, which
eventually resulted in classifying psychology as a
science.
 MESO-AMERICAN
REVOLUTION
The Mesoamerican Revolution refers to the
intellectual and cultural achievements of ancient
Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Maya, Aztec,
and Inca, which significantly influenced their
societies and the world. These civilizations thrived in
regions that are now Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and
parts of Central America.
 Mayan Civilization
• Maya civilization lasted for approx. 2000 years.
• They incorporated their advanced understanding of
astronomy into their temples and other religious structure.
Example: The "El Castillo pyramid at Chichen Itza" is
situated at the location of the sun during the spring and fall
equinoxes.
• Mayan knowledge and understanding about celestial bodies
was advanced for their times.
The Mayan Calendar System
Mayan is known for measuring time using two complicated
calendar systems. It is useful for their life especially in planning
activities and observing religious rituals and cultural
celebration.

The tzolk'in calendar combines twenty day names with the

thirteen day numbers to produce 260 unique days. It is used to
determine the time of religious and ceremonial events and for
divination. Each successive day is numbered from 1 up to 13 and
then starting again at 1. Separately from this, every day is
given a name in sequence from a list of 20 day names: The Haab'
was made up of eighteen months of twenty days each plus a
period of five days at the end of the year known as Wayeb'.
 Inca Civilization
• Famous in mesoamerica.
- Roads paved with stones.
- Stone building that surmounted earthquakes and other disasters.
- Irrigation system and technique for storing water for their crops to grow in
all types of land.
• Calendar with 12 months to mark their religious festivals and prepare them
for planting season.
• The first suspension bridge.
• Quipu, a system of knotted ropes to keep records that only experts can
interpret.
• Inca textiles since cloth was one of the specially prized artistic achievements
Inca Civilization

Inca Textile
Quipu
Aztec Civilisation

Antispasmodic medication - medicine that could prevent muscle

spasms and relax muscles, which may have been helpful during
surgery. The Passion flower was used for this purpose, a flower
which still grows in Mexico today.

Chinampa - "Floating Garden"

Chocolates - The Aztecs prepared chocolate as a bitter drink called

"xocoatl," made from ground cacao beans mixed with water, chili,
and spices.
Unlike modern chocolate, it was unsweetened.
 AFRICAN INTELLECTUAL
REVOLUTION
The African intellectual revolution is the first societal
intellectual revolution. It is known to be the oldest civilization
in the history of humankind and the cradle of civilization,
where the first state system was built along the Nile River
which supported the life of people.
Their civilization has enormously contributed to the body of
knowledge, their long and best cultural contributions in
linguistics, mathematics, and technology, has largely
influenced a lot of succeeding civilizations and various
civilization all around the world.
 Key Figures of African
Intellectual Revolutions
 Nelson Mandela
He is known to be the Father of Free South African. After
returning from prison in 1990, both white & black south Africans
were taken back by his reconciliatory tone. He only served one
term as president of an independent South Africa but settled into
a role of universal advocate for peace, reconciliation, and racial
harmony. He is the greatest revolutionary of all time.

Patrice Lumumba
He adopted as a revolutionary ideology turning them into a
philosophy of African Socialism. He joined the Congolese
Revolutionary Party and Mouvement National Congolais,
promoting non-violent ideals.
 Leopold Senghor
Senegal's first independent president was the most
accomplished of African revolutionaries. He never
raised a fist in protest or fired a gun in a war, but he
led a revolution that championed African culture's
Individuality. He had no wars, no bloodshed, no military
coups.

Samora Machel
He is described as a Castro-like revolutionary committed to
military struggle and infused with the revolution's iron-hard
discipline.
 ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE &
TECHONOLOGY IN AFRICAN INTELLECTUAL
REVOLUTION

Africa's intellectual revolutions are considered the

base of knowledge in modern science and
technology. Many fundamentals are derived from
the knowledge of ancient civilization in Africa. It
is very rich and diverse that it vastly contributed
to the advancement and development of life.
ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING

Africans are great builders and they created measurement mathematics for
construction purposes, they invented the cubit system, methods in surveying
land along the Nile River, creation of dams, canals, and irrigation system
that supported life & agriculture of the state.
METALLURGY

Many advances in metallurgy and tool making were made across the entirety
of ancient Africa. These include steam engines, metal chisels and saws,
copper and iron tools and weapons, nails, glue, carbon steel and bronze
weapons and art. Africans mastered making steels.
MEDICINE

African traditional medicine is a form of holistic health care system

organized into three levels of specialty: divination, spiritualism, and
herbalism. Africa is home to an extensive and diverse medicinal plant such
as plants with salicylic acid for pain (aspirin) and for diarrhea (Kao
pectate). They are also the first shamans to practice natural medicina
using natural remedies.
AGRICULTURE

Africans mastered the art of nature and their plants, including coffee,
palm oil, rice, and other agricultural crops are adopted by other
civilizations.
Thank
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