pdf_UNIT 1_GENERAL CONCEPTS AND HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS

• Science’ can be explained into three definitions.

  • branch of knowledge
  • intellectual activity
  • personal and social activity
• 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.
• 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.
• Through the 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. Also, 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 - The present perception and concept of science started in this period of classical antiquity, which 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.
• The significant philosophers of classical antiquity were Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
• Socrates (470-339 BC) 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. He 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 - The progression of science and technology turned to decrease due to the onset of diseases, poverty, wars, and scarcity of food resources at the middle ages during 530 AD.
• The rise of Christianity in Europe was also considered a factor in the decline of science. 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.
• Due to this, the center of science and technology was shifted 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. Another to be considered is 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 wherein, he ordered the establishment of schools that became centers of knowledge and discovery. Other advancements in science and technology during the middle ages include the development of clocks and moving objects and the utilization of water and wind as sources of electricity.
• The latter part of the Middle Ages was considered to be the Age of Discovery and Exploration. These 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.
• Modern Age - The need for Europe’s revival became more advantageous for science and technology. This marked the end of the Middle Age and the start of the Modern Age. The beginning of the modern age hastens technological advancements, primarily for defense and trade. Many technologies were taught in universities
• Renaissance is a cultural movement that is based on humanism, which a system of intellectual movement emphasizing the value of humans than supernatural powers. During this period, many artists also became scientists such as Leonardo da

  Vinci. In the latter part of the Renaissance, the Scientific Revolution and foundation of England’s Royal Society emerged, giving rise to a more organized community. Benjamin Franklin and Sir Isaac Newton and are the two significant members of the society.
• The Scientific Revolution advanced the field of astronomy due to the invention of the telescope. The astronomers, Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1573) became the center of controversy due to his model of the heliocentric universe, which was opposed by the church. This opposition marked the so-called Copernican Revolution, a shift from a geocentric view of the universe to a heliocentric model with the Sun at the center of the Solar System.
• The invention of the microscope significantly advanced science during the Renaissance period. Through the use of microscope, many microorganisms were identified and the many types of diseases associated with them. This gave rise to the formulation of antibiotics to prevent infections and inhibit the growth of bacteria.
• Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was noted to be the leading figure of the Scientific. He introduced experimentation using the scientific method and led the development of modern science, making him the "father of the scientific method” and the "father of modern science". He invented many equipment and devices as well as many mathematical explanations to natural
• The publication of Carolus Linnaues’ works on the biological classification made him the “father of taxonomy”.
• This age is also known as the period of ‘Enlightenment’, which highlighted the importance of logical reasoning. This was a shift from the Renaissance dominated by the teachings of the Church and the early Greek and Roman philosophers. Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) worked on Principia, which established the foundation of modern-day physics. He developed theories from observations and experiments and used the scientific method in the understanding of the natural world.
• The invention of the steam engine by James Watt (1736-1819) in 1765 made many industrial processes possible. Because of this, many other machines that made things faster and more efficient were invented and paved the way for the

  Industrial Revolution.
• The theory of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace became very controversial and was opposed by the church and the general community. However, this theory was considered and accepted as a milestone in the field of

  biology.
• Scientific and technological advancements also gave way for the invention of explosive weapons such as atomic bombs, nuclear bombs, and dynamites. These developments led to more deaths and casualties during warfare.
• The invention of plastics in the 1940’s and 1950s led to the development of new appliances and products made from plastics. However, plastics became a problem to the environment as significant pollutants affect wildlife habitat and humans

  because of its deficient ability to degrade.
• The discovery of the DNA structure in 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick with the aid of Rosalind Franklin advanced the field of genetics and molecular biology, leading to the development of gene therapy and genetic engineering.
• The period of the Agricultural revolution occurred in 1940 with the development of the pesticide Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane or more commonly known as DDT. Other inventions that greatly helped this period were hybrid seeds, organic/inorganic fertilizers, and farm machinery equipment.
• the development of the internet, computers, softwares, and other digital technologies marked the beginning ‘Digital Revolution’ or ‘Information Age’. These technologies also paved way for crowdsourcing, cyber warfare, e-commerce, and distance learning. The digital revolution has greatly affected the public. Nowadays, many people became addicted to using electronic games and social media.
• Here in the Philippines, the history of science and technology is not clear. However, based on archaeological findings, primitive Filipinos have simpler technology than neighboring countries in Asia, such as China and India. Simple stones and metal tools were used, which gave rise to the development of ceramics, potteries, weavings, handicrafts, and other devices.
• Since water bodies surround the Philippines, Filipinos created good technology in shipbuilding in 1000 AD. These ships were used for transportation, trading, and fishing.
• In the 16th century, artillery was used by the Filipinos during their battle against Spaniards. These good weapons include bows, spears, and swords. The agricultural industry became a good source of income through practices such as rice farming, crop production, livestock raising, and fishing, and forestry.
• in the philippines, The Church was so influential and dominant in those times that the study of natural sciences was discouraged.
• During the Spanish time, there were only limited science courses available for the Filipinos. Successful Filipino scientists went to Europe to gain study and training. Some of these scientists were Leon Ma. Guerrero, Anacleta del Rosario, and Trinidad Pardo de Tavera. However, the science profession did not grow well as the colonial government preferred Spanish scientists over Filipinos.
• The end Spanish regime developed only two science professions, the medicine, and pharmacy professions since the Philippines also became a predominantly agricultural country. Industrial sectors such as the sugarcane and tobacco industry

  were modernized due to the entry of foreign technology and investments. At the same time, other areas, such as weaving, declined because of a lack of support from the government.