Lesson 2

Some Intellectuals and their
Revolutionary Ideas
Lesson 2
At the end of this lesson, the students
should be able to:
1. discuss the ideas postulated by Copernicus,
Darwin and Freud which contributed to the
spark of scientific revolution; and
2. analyze how scientific revolution is done in

various parts of the world like in Latin
America, East Asia, Middle East and Africa.
From the genesis of time, Science has existed. It
is interwoven with the society. So how can we
define Science?
1. Science as an idea. It includes theories and all systematic
explanations and observations about natural phenomena.
2. Science as an intellectual activity. It encompasses systematic

and practical study of the natural and physical world
3. Science as a body of knowledge. It is a discipline, a field of

study 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
mean to improve life and to survive in life. It is interwoven with
people’s lives.
Scientific Revolution
• Period of enlightenment when development in the
different fields of science transformed the views of
society about nature.
• It explained the emergence or birth of modern

science. It ignited vast human interests to rethink
how they do science and view scientific processes.
• Golden Age for people committed to scholarly life

in science.
• Led to the death of some intellectuals.

SCIENCE IDEAS
SCIENTIFIC
REVOLUTIONS
HUMANS SOCIETY
Figure 1. Influences to Scientific Revolution

• Scientific revolution is very significant in the
development of human beings, transformation
of the society, and in the formulation of
scientific ideas.
• In many ways, scientific revolution transformed

the natural world and the world of ideas.
Some Intellectuals and their Revolutionary Ideas
• To further understand what exactly happened
during the scientific revolution, it is important to
examine the different individuals whose ideas
have shaken and contested the dominant
theories.
• The following scientists are driven by their

characteristics to explore the natural world
Creativity
SCIENTIST
SCIENCE
IDEAS
Curiosity Passion to
Know SCIENCE
DISCOVERIES
TECHNOLOGY
Critical Passion to
Thinking Discover
Figure 1. Variables that Influence the Development of Science Ideas, Science Discoveries
and Technology.
Nicolaus Copernicus
• Knowledge about the nature of universe is
unchanged until Copernicus came on the
scene.
• He did not do anything extensive such as

observing heavenly bodies or inviting people to
test his ideas.
Nicolaus Copernicus
• His works were strongly influenced by a book
entitled Epitome published in 1496 by a
German author, Johannes Mueller. This book is
about Mueller observations of the heavens.
• Published his works on his book entitled “On

the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres”. This
often cited as the start of scientific revolution.
Nicolaus Coppernicus
• The sun is at rest at the center of the universe
and all other heavenly bodies revolve around it
in circular paths.
Charles Darwin
• Explore Galapagos
Islands through HMS
Beagle.
• Formulate his own

theory “Origin of
Species by Means of
Natural Selection”
Charles Darwin
• “The Descent of Man”
• Replaced the
dominant views of a
religious or biblical
design that places
human beings in a
privileged position of
having been created
by God.
Charles Darwin
• Darwin’s accomplishments were so diverse
that it is useful to distinguish two fields to
which he made major contributions:
• 1. evolutionary biology;
• 2. philosophy of science
Sigmund Freud
• Psychoanalysis
• A scientific way to study

the human mind and
neurotic illnesses.
• Gave huge impact on the

scientific way of
understanding human
nature.
Sigmund Freud
• His method of Psychoanalysis is proven to be
effective in understanding some neurological
conditions that were not understood by
medicine that time.
Cradles of Early Science
Development of Science in
Mesoamerica
• Mesoamerica
• Central America from
Southern Mexico up
to the border of
South America.
Mesoamerica
• Maya Civilization
• Last for approx. 2000
years.
• Astronomy
• Can be seen on their
temple and religious
structures.
• Example: Pyramid of
Chichèn Itzá which is
situated on the location of
the Sun during Spring and
Fall Equinoxes.
Mesoamerica
• Maya Civilization and Astronomy
• Knowledge in predicting eclipse and using

astrological cycles in planting and harvesting.
Mesoamerica
and Astronomy
• Time was measured

using two
complicated calendar
systems which is
very important in
planning their
activities.
Mesoamerica
• Able to grow different crops and build

elaborate cities using ordinary machineries
and tools.
• Built hydraulics system with sophisticated

waterways to supply water to different
communities.
Mesoamerica
• Maya Civilization and
Arts
• Able to weave cloths and

devised a glittery paints
made from a mineral
called mica.
• Believed to produce the

first rubber 3,000 years
before Goodyear
received its patent in
1844.
Mesoamerica
• World’s first
civilizations to use
writing system known
as the Mayan
Hieroglyphics.
Mesoamerica
• Inca Civilization
1. Road paved with stones.
2. stone buildings.
3. irrigation system and

technique for storing water.
4. calendar with 12 months

to mark their religious
festivals and prepare them
for planting season.
Mesoamerica
• Inca Civilization
5. first suspension
bridge.
6. quipu, a system of
knotted ropes to keep
records that only expert
can interpret.
7. Inca textiles.
Mesoamerica
• Aztec Civilization
1. Mandatory Education
– early form of universal or
inclusive education
2. Chocolates – serves
as currency. They also
valued cacao beans
highly.
Mesoamerica
3.Antispasmodic medication
– prevent muscle spasms and
relax muscles.
4. Chinampa – agricultural
farming technology in which
land are divided into
rectangular areas with canals.
Mesoamerica
5. Aztec Calendar
6. Canoe – a light narrow

boat used for travelling in
water systems.
Asia
India
• Known for manufacturing
iron and metallurgical
works.
• Famous in Medicine
A. Ayurveda, a form of
traditional medicine
• Discovered some plants
with medicinal properties.
India
• Famous in Astronomy.
• Also known for their

mathematics.
• Earliest traces of
knowledge in this field
was found on Indus
Valley Civilization Bisht
(1982).
• They tried to standardize
measurement of length
to a high degree of
accuracy and designed
a ruler named,
Mohenjodaro Ruler.
India
• Clifford (2008) and Bose
(1998)
• Mathematician Aryabhata
(476-550) formulated
Aryabhatiya introduced a
number of trigonometric
functions and algorithms in
algebra.
• Hindu-Arabic numeral
system is now used
universally throughout the
world.
China
• Greatly influenced many
of its neighbour countries
like Korea, Japan,
Philippines, Vietnam,
Thailand, Cambodia and
Myanmar.
• Known for Traditional

Medicine e.g.
acupuncture.
China
• Chinese tools:
• Compass, papermaking, gunpowder and
printing tools.
• Iron plough, wheelbarrow and propeller.
• Different models of bridges, first

seismological detector and dry dock facility.
China
• Astronomy:
• Made significant records on supernovas, lunar
and solar eclipses, comet to understand the
heavenly bodies better and what are their
effects on the world.
• Also known for their seismology making them

prepared for times of natural calamity.
Middle East Countries
• Dominantly occupied by Muslims.
• Place a greater value on science

experiments.
• Muhammad ibn Musa al Kwharizimi

• Al-jabr or algebra.
Middle East Countries
• Jabir ibn Hayyan
• Considered “Father of Chemistry”
• Ibn Sina
• Pioneered the science of experimental
medicine.
• First physician to conduct clinical trials.
• “Book of Healing” and “The Canon of
Medicine”.
• Discover contagious nature of infectious
diseases and clinical pharmacology.
Africa
• Geometry are use to
preserve layout and
ownership of farmlands of
the Egyptians living along
Nile River.
• Geometry are use to

improve the lives of
Egyptians e.g. Great
Egyptian Pyramid and early
dams along the Nile River.
Africa
• Egypt was known to be a center of alchemy.
• They tried to study human anatomy and

pharmacology.
• Applied important component such as

examination, diagnosis and treatment of
diseases.
Africa
• Astronomy is famous in Africa.
• They use three types of calendar: lunar, solar

and stellar.
• African was also known for their use of iron

technology (metallurgy).

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Some Intellectuals and their

2. analyze how scientific revolution is done in

2. Science as an intellectual activity. It encompasses systematic

3. Science as a body of knowledge. It is a discipline, a field of

4. Science as a personal and social activity. This explains that

• It explained the emergence or birth of modern

• Golden Age for people committed to scholarly life

• Led to the death of some intellectuals.

Figure 1. Influences to Scientific Revolution

• In many ways, scientific revolution transformed

• The following scientists are driven by their

• He did not do anything extensive such as

• Published his works on his book entitled “On

• Formulate his own

• A scientific way to study

• Gave huge impact on the

• Knowledge in predicting eclipse and using

• Time was measured

• Able to grow different crops and build

• Built hydraulics system with sophisticated

• Able to weave cloths and

• Believed to produce the

1. Road paved with stones.

3. irrigation system and

4. calendar with 12 months

6. Canoe – a light narrow

• Also known for their

• Known for Traditional

• Iron plough, wheelbarrow and propeller.

• Different models of bridges, first

• Also known for their seismology making them

• Dominantly occupied by Muslims.

• Place a greater value on science

• Muhammad ibn Musa al Kwharizimi

• Geometry are use to

• Egypt was known to be a center of alchemy.

• They tried to study human anatomy and

• Applied important component such as

• Astronomy is famous in Africa.

• They use three types of calendar: lunar, solar

• African was also known for their use of iron

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