History of Science and Technology Overview

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Questions and Answers

What motivated the British regarding railway construction in India?

Need for improved communication with other colonies

Aim to exploit Indian raw materials

Desire for a faster military transport system

Shortage of construction personnel from England (correct)

Which factor contributed to American motivation in the Philippines?

Promotion of American cultural dominance

Development of a new economic policy

Control of diseases to protect American colonizers (correct)

Implementation of military training programs

What aspect of health contributed to the American motivation in the Philippines?

Increased military hospitals for soldiers

Existence of a Department of Health (correct)

Influence of British health policies

Establishment of private clinics

How did the Americans influence public health systems in the Philippines?

By establishing public health independent from local governance Signup and view all the answers

What was a key factor in the British motivation for developing infrastructure in India?

To facilitate raw material transport Signup and view all the answers

What key concept suggests that advancements in technology drive changes in social values and norms?

Technological determinism Signup and view all the answers

Who is primarily associated with the development of the idea of technological determinism?

Thomas Veblen Signup and view all the answers

What illustrates the interaction between technology and culture according to the base and superstructure model?

Means of production Signup and view all the answers

In the base and superstructure model, what does the superstructure attempt to maintain?

Means of production Signup and view all the answers

What role does the spread of Western Science have on former colonies?

It influences social structures. Signup and view all the answers

How are advancements in tools/technology related to social order?

They impact early social groups and their hierarchies. Signup and view all the answers

What concept explains the continuous influence of societal structures on the development of new technologies?

Creative destruction Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher's ideas contribute to the discussion of technological determinism?

Karl Marx Signup and view all the answers

How did differences in skill level related to hunting tools influence early human social structures?

Skilled hunters became leaders due to their ability to contribute food. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did food preservation techniques have on early society's food distribution?

Ownership of preserved food became a source of power. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant social consequence of the establishment of agriculture?

Increased food security led to social roles beyond food production. Signup and view all the answers

How did advances in agriculture contribute to social stratification in early societies?

It fostered the emergence of administrative classes to regulate food production. Signup and view all the answers

The rise of city-states and larger empires during the Bronze Age was largely due to what?

Increased food production contributing to political organization. Signup and view all the answers

What role did slavery play in large Iron Age empires like Rome?

Slavery helped maintain control over agricultural production. Signup and view all the answers

How did the creation of laws in early societies influence social organization?

Laws facilitated the emergence of roles such as soldiers and politicians. Signup and view all the answers

What was the relationship between elite classes and social order in early societies?

The elite were essential in maintaining the modes of production. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'creative destruction' in the context of new tools shaping society?

A process involving both creation and elimination of structures Signup and view all the answers

Which country was NOT mentioned as undergoing changes from industrialization and advances in sciences?

Canada Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the first phase in Basalla's framework of the spread of Western Science?

Colonies as sources of scientific knowledge Signup and view all the answers

In the context of India under British rule, what was a significant development during the second phase?

Construction of the railway system Signup and view all the answers

How did the public health system in the Philippines differ from India's railway development?

It served as a source of knowledge for American scientists. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of creative destruction primarily emphasize?

The necessity of destroying old structures to foster innovation. Signup and view all the answers

What question is raised concerning the presence of colonizers' influence on former colonies regarding Western Science?

If colonies would be better off without that influence. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following diseases was researched by American scientists during the establishment of the public health system in the Philippines?

Tuberculosis Signup and view all the answers

How did the Luddites respond to the introduction of new textile machines?

They burned textile factories to protest job losses. Signup and view all the answers

What was one main outcome of the second phase regarding colonies' relationship with colonizers?

Dependency for scientific training Signup and view all the answers

What societal issue emerged as a result of changes in modes of production?

The need to address worker rights. Signup and view all the answers

What was one impact of the introduction of cars compared to horses?

The decline of the coachmen and stable industries. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of creative destruction?

The introduction of kerosene decreasing demand for whale oil. Signup and view all the answers

In which period did the Luddites predominantly operate?

Mid-1800s during the Industrial Revolution. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential effect of online learning on traditional education systems?

Increasing accessibility and potentially disrupting existing systems. Signup and view all the answers

What structural change is associated with modern business compared to traditional business?

Hierarchical structures are being flattened in modern organizations. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Science, Technology, and Culture

Development of science can be viewed through various lenses emphasizing its interaction with culture.
Key concepts include technological determinism and creative destruction.
The role of institutions in knowledge development is crucial for scientific advancement.

Technological Determinism

Technological determinism posits that technology drives changes in social values and norms.
Influenced by philosophers like Thomas Veblen and Karl Marx, focusing on the interaction between means of production (technology) and superstructure (culture and society).
New technologies can reshape social structures, impacting class systems and societal roles.

Skill in hunting tools influenced social roles, possibly elevating skilled hunters to leadership positions.
Development of food preservation techniques (like pots and discovering fire) affected food distribution and ownership concepts in early societies.
Agriculture's establishment increased food security and led to new societal roles, contributing to the rise of early city-states and larger empires.

Bronze Age to Iron Age Developments

Agricultural advances fostered social stratification and the emergence of administrative classes.
New political systems and laws evolved to manage populations and stabilize food production.
Professional classes, such as soldiers and politicians, emerged to maintain the existing modes of production.

Professionalization and Education

Rise in standardized work necessitated certification from institutions for specific tasks (e.g., teaching, medicine).
Industries demanded formal education systems to address labor-related issues and worker rights.

Creative Destruction

Concept introduced by economist Joseph Schumpeter, suggesting innovation requires the destruction of existing structures.
Historical examples include Luddites rebelling against machinery, leading to job losses in textile production.
Innovation examples: cars replacing horses, kerosene replacing whale oil, and email replacing traditional postal services.

Spread of Western Science

Industrialization in Western countries influenced the spread of Western science through colonization and trade.
George Basalla identified three phases in the spread of Western science to colonies:
- Colonies as sources of scientific knowledge.
- Dependence on colonizers for scientific training.
- Development of independent scientific traditions in former colonies.

Comparative Case Studies: India and the Philippines

In India, the British utilized local knowledge for crops and trained engineers for railway development; later established universities.
In the Philippines, American colonizers focused on public health systems, training personnel to control diseases, leading to a notable healthcare infrastructure.

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Description

This quiz explores the relationship between science, technology, and culture through various lenses. It emphasizes key concepts such as technological determinism and creative destruction, and encourages learners to analyze historical examples of this interaction. By the end of this module, participants should have a deeper understanding of how these areas influence and shape one another.