2.module in Science Technology & Society

Topic 2: Intellectual Revolution

Learning Objectives

At the end of this topic, students must have:

Discussed paradigm shifts through history;

Explained how intellectual revolution changed how humans see the world;
and
Selected a revolutionary scientist and present a persuasive speech
representing his/her theory
Key terms: Intellectual Revolution, Psychoanalysis, Geocentric, Heliocentric,

Natural selection
Activating Prior Learning
You may have read about different theories that worked and were believed to be
true during ancient times. In Astronomy, for example, you have learned that Sun is the
Center of the Solar System and that the planets, including Earth, are revolving around
it in an elliptical orbit. However, people in ancient times believed that the earth was
the center of the universe. Early beliefs also claimed that human beings were created
through “Divine Creation” but this was replaced by Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by
Natural Selection. These are just some of the examples of early theories that were
challenged in the history of Science.
What were the great Intellectual Revolutions that significantly shaped our Society?
What made these new theories controversial? Who were these people or groups of
people behind these upheavals that permanently changed the course of history of
Science? What were their needs, and what were their struggles that motivated them
to engage in such scholarly contribution?
This topic will lead you to some of the answers of these aforementioned questions.
Moreover, this topic describes how science and technology theories paved the way
for the Enlightenment and our current understanding of some of the fundamental
concepts of Science and of the world.
Presentation of Contents
The Man who moved the Sun
The way people think about Solar System has changed many times throughout history.
Before the development of telescope astronomy beliefs were based on what can be
seen by the naked eye. One of the earliest ideas on how Solar System was structured
was introduced by Claudius Ptolemy. He posited that planets as well as the sun and
the moon, moved in a circular motion around the Earth, a concept which is known as
geo-centrism. This geocentric model, considered to be one of the greatest discoveries
11
of all time, was widely accepted by the people and became the astronomical
dogma in Western civilization for 1,400 years.
In the 16th century, Nicolaus Copernicus challenged the geocentric model by putting
sun at the center of the solar system and known as the concept of heliocentrism. This
idea was rejected at first by the public. It appalled many since their religious belief had
taught them that the Earth was created first before all other things. Copernicus was
even persecuted as a heretic.
Figure 2.1 Bold Man who challenged the Theory of Divine Creation ("Image: Occult
Science 4.0 - Heliocentric vs. Geocentric Astrology - YouTube", 2019)
Charles Darwin was an English naturalist who studied variation in plants, animals and
fossils during a five-year voyage around the world in the 19th century. Darwin's theory
of evolution challenged the idea that God made all the animals and plants that live
on Earth in a single day, which contradicted the commonly held Christian views of his
era. He did not publish his scientific work and ideas until 28 years after his voyage.
Finally, as a result of Darwin's world expedition and observations, which were

enhanced by many years of experimentation, his discussions with like-minded scientists
and his developing knowledge of geology and fossils, he proposed the theory of
evolution by natural selection. Darwin proposed that: individual organisms within a
particular species show a wide range of variation for a characteristic, individuals with
characteristics most suited to the environment are more likely to survive to breed
successfully; and the characteristics that have enabled these individuals to survive are
then passed on to the next generation. This is called Theory of Evolution by Natural
Selection
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Figure 2.2 Tree of Evolution ("Redirect Notice", 2019)
Figure 2.3 Theory of Creation ("Redirect Notice", 2019)
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The Father of Psychoanalysis
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 of 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 conflicting elements:
id, ego and superego.
Figure 2.4 Theory of Psychoanalysis ("Redirect Notice", 2019)
Science hardliners brushed off the legitimacy of psychoanalysis as a science since

concepts were viewed as philosophical and supernatural. Many believed that
Freud’s theory has no scientific basis as no empirical or experimental data could
support it.
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
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Application
What’s New
What we had just studied are the major intellectual revolutions in the past.
At present, what are the widely acceptable theory that could explain
1. Celestial Mechanics
2. Evolution of human beings
3. Psychoanalysis
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Feedback
Direction: Conduct an interview to non-science majors about intellectual

revolutions and present the synthesis of your interview to the class. (Note:
Kindly prepare an interview schedule prior to the conduct of the interview).
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Topic 2: Intellectual Revolution

At the end of this topic, students must have:

Discussed paradigm shifts through history;

Key terms: Intellectual Revolution, Psychoanalysis, Geocentric, Heliocentric,

Activating Prior Learning

The Man who moved the Sun

Finally, as a result of Darwin's world expedition and observations, which were

Figure 2.3 Theory of Creation ("Redirect Notice", 2019)

Figure 2.4 Theory of Psychoanalysis ("Redirect Notice", 2019)

Science hardliners brushed off the legitimacy of psychoanalysis as a science since

2. Evolution of human beings

Direction: Conduct an interview to non-science majors about intellectual

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