SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY | Lesson 1: Historical Development of S&T in the World

Summary

This educational video explores the historical development of science and technology, highlighting the socio-economic impact of scientific advancements. It traces the evolution from early human artifacts to ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian records, through the contributions of philosophers like Archimedes and the intellectual stagnation of the early Middle Ages. The script emphasizes the importance of empirical methods and the role of thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, Albertus Magnus, and Roger Bacon in shaping scientific thought.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Science and technology are integral to modernity and are crucial for the rapid development and socio-economic progress of a country.
• 🔍 The earliest forms of science and technology can be traced back to prehistoric times, with the use of roughly shaped stones for chopping and scraping, primarily found in eastern Africa.
• 📚 Some of the earliest records of science came from Mesopotamian cultures around 400 BCE, including observations on chemical substances and astronomy.
• 🏛 In ancient Egypt, around 300-400 BCE, there were treatments for wounds and diseases, and mathematical calculations were used in geometry and trigonometry.
• 🤓 From 300-400 BCE, philosophers like Euclid, known as the 'father of geometry,' and Archimedes, the founder of engineering mechanics, made significant contributions to science.
• 📏 Archimedes calculated the value of pi (approximately 3.14159) and invented the water pump, pulley system, iron cloth, and odometer.
• 🛡️ The early Middle Ages, post the fall of the Western Roman Empire, saw a concentration of intellectual, scientific, and technological activities mainly within the Christian faith.
• 🌿 Medicine and botanical knowledge were discovered and used for church duties to help and tend to the sick during the Middle Ages.
• 📖 There were challenges during the Middle Ages, such as limited access to scientific literature written in Greek due to language barriers.
• 📚 The language of the period transitioned from Latin to the prevalence of Latin in Western Christianity, with few books containing scientific subject matter.
• 🧠 Key thinkers of the early Middle Ages included Plato, Aristotle, Albertus Magnus, and Roger Bacon, who emphasized the importance of natural causes and empirical methods in understanding the world.

Q & A

What is the significance of the historical development of science and technology in the world?

The historical development of science and technology is significant as it determines the socio-economic progress of a country and is considered essential for rapid development.

What were the earliest forms of science and technology found during prehistoric times?

The earliest forms of science and technology were human artifacts, roughly shaped stones used for chopping and scraping, found primarily in eastern Africa around 2.3 million years ago.

Which cultures provided some of the earliest records of science?

Mesopotamian cultures around 400 BCE provided some of the earliest records of science, including the treatment of wounds and diseases, and astronomical observations.

Who is known as the father of geometry?

Yusuf, also known as Euclid, is known as the father of geometry.

What is the value of pi that Archimedes calculated and how is it still relevant today?

Archimedes calculated the value of pi to be approximately 3.14159, which is still used today in various mathematical and scientific applications.

What inventions are attributed to Archimedes?

Archimedes invented the water pump, the pulley system, the iron cloth, and the odometer.

What challenges did medieval intellectuals face in their pursuit of scientific knowledge?

Medieval intellectuals faced challenges such as lack of time for scientific occupations and limited access to scientific literature written in Greek.

What language was prevalent in the early and middle periods of scientific literature?

Latin was the language used during the early and middle periods, but few books contained scientific subject matter.

Who are some of the philosophers or intellectual thinkers mentioned in the early middle period?

Plato, Aristotle, Albertos Magnus, and Roger Bacon are some of the philosophers or intellectual thinkers mentioned in the early middle period.

What was the belief of Roger Bacon regarding the basis of science?

Roger Bacon believed that science must be based on empirical methods.

How did the fall of the Western Roman Empire impact the concentration of intellectual, scientific, and technological activities?

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, intellectual, scientific, and technological activities were concentrated mainly in the Christian faith.