Science, Technology, and Society Overview

Definitions

• Science derives from the Latin "scientia," meaning "knowledge." It encompasses systems of knowledge on general truths and laws tested through scientific methods.
• Technology originates from the Greek word "techne," which translates to "art, skill, craft."
• Society is defined as a group of individuals living in a shared community and culture.

Science, Technology, and Society

• This interdisciplinary field examines how modern science and technology influence contemporary culture, values, and institutions, and conversely, how modern values impact science and technology.

Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology

• Approximately 500 B.C.E. in Greece marked the emergence of ancient Greek philosophers, heralding a new worldview.
• Early civilizations such as the Sumerians and Egyptians made significant advances, developing tools for survival and agriculture.
• Writing, mathematics, and metallurgy blossomed in ancient societies, creating practical intellectual tools rather than scientific explorations.

Key Civilizations and Innovations

• Large-scale agriculture began in the fourth millennium B.C.E. in the Tigris-Euphrates River Valley, known as the Fertile Crescent.
• The Sumerians invented cuneiform writing on clay tablets, while Egyptians used hieroglyphs on papyrus.
• Numeric systems and accounting methods were established, primarily managed by priest-administrators.
• Babylonian civilization, around 1800 B.C.E., contributed significantly to the modern calendar through keen astronomical observations.
• The Phoenicians developed simplified alphabets based on cuneiform and hieroglyphics around 3,300 years ago, broadening written communication.

Stone Age Developments

• The Paleolithic Age began around 2.4 million years ago, distinguished by simple stone tools usage.
• The Mesolithic Age introduced advanced tool-making and hunting techniques as a transitional phase.
• The Neolithic Age (circa 10,000 to 4,000 B.C.E.) marked the shift from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural societies.

Notable Thinkers in Ancient Philosophy

• Thales proposed that the earth floats on a vast ocean and attributed earthquakes to disruptions in the water.
• Anaximander defined the earth as a cylinder, theorizing concentric cylinders for celestial bodies; he suggested evolution from other animals.
• Anaximenes believed that air was the primordial substance, with other forms emerging through condensation.
• Pythagoras is known for formalizing geometry as a logical sequence of propositions, positing a central fire at the universe's core.
• Alcmaeon advanced anatomical research through dissections, discovering the optic nerve and linking the brain to intellect.

This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of science, technology, and society, examining their meanings and interconnectedness. It highlights how knowledge has evolved through scientific methods and the societal impacts of technology. Test your understanding of these essential interdisciplinary fields.