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Technology and Society Overview
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Technology and Society Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the main argument regarding the relationship between society and technology?

  • Technology primarily drives the advancement of society.
  • Society and technology influence each other in a reciprocal manner. (correct)
  • Technological change is fully independent of social factors.
  • Society ultimately has no impact on the development of technology.

    • Which technological advancement is directly associated with dietary changes in early humans?

  • Fire control
  • Acheulean tools (correct)
  • Oldowan tools
  • Agriculture

    • How does the concept of social determinism explain technological progress?

  • It emphasizes random occurrences in shaping technology.
  • It views technological change as a natural evolution.
  • It suggests that technology develops solely through scientific innovation.
  • It posits that societal beliefs and factors dictate technological advancement. (correct)

    • What role did religion play in the rise of modern science according to Roberton Merton?

    <p>Religion provided a framework that encouraged scientific inquiry.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a primary factor that led early humans to develop agriculture around 11,000 years ago?

    <p>The necessity to adapt to climate change and resource scarcity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which tool innovation is credited with altering human diets and contributing to increased brain size?

    <p>Flint hand axe</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the concept of technology having a two-way relationship with society imply?

    <p>Technological changes affect societal structures, and vice versa.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes Acheulean tools from Oldowan tools?

    <p>Acheulean tools involved shaping a core for specific uses, unlike Oldowan tools.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary purpose of the Mouseion established by Ptolemy in Alexandria?

    <p>To function as a research institute</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Eratosthenes contribute to the understanding of the Earth's size?

    <p>He accurately calculated the Earth's circumference</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What cultural impact did Alexander the Great's conquests have on Egypt?

    <p>It caused the Hellenization of Egyptian culture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the defining characteristic of the unidirectional model of technological determinism?

    <p>Technology influences society without any reciprocal effect.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant factor limiting technological innovation in ancient China?

    <p>Restriction by class and government control</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the internal approach to historiography, what is the focus of inquiry?

    <p>The scientific and detailed aspects of technology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What notable structure was created by Ptolemy III to protect the knowledge of the Great Library of Alexandria?

    <p>An underground backup library</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following critiques the idea of inborn genius in technological invention?

    <p>The external approach emphasizes social influences.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the predominant view of rapid change in medieval Europe compared to ancient China?

    <p>Change is a sign of progress in Europe and imbalance in China</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the evolutionary model of technology view its development?

    <p>Technology progresses from simple to complex forms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which major event in Europe facilitated the introduction of Greek texts from Alexandria?

    <p>The First Crusade</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What impact did Christianity have on the cultural landscape after the decline of the Great Library of Alexandria?

    <p>It became the dominant religion influencing societal values</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement aligns with the interactive view of technology in society?

    <p>There is a reciprocal relationship between society and technology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Lynn White's contribution to the discussion of technological determinism?

    <p>He criticized the unidirectional model by highlighting social factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of technological history, what do proponents of the external approach believe?

    <p>Technology is shaped significantly by social factors and cultural context.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a fundamental flaw in the traditional view of the 'great men' theory of invention?

    <p>It overlooks the contributions of women and minorities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the internal approach to historiography primarily differ from the external approach?

    <p>It emphasizes technological aspects without social influence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the unidirectional model of technological determinism imply about the relationship between society and technology?

    <p>Technology solely influences and shapes society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What criticism is directed towards the 'great men theory' of technological invention?

    Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant outcome of Alexander the Great's conquests for Egypt?

    <p>The founding of Alexandria as a cultural capital.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role did Ptolemy I play in the development of the Mouseion?

    <p>He established it as the first ever research institute.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which measurement did Eratosthenes famously calculate?

    <p>The circumference of the Earth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect limited technological advancements in ancient China compared to Europe?

    <p>Government control and rigid social structures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do historians often cite as the reason for the preservation of knowledge in Alexandria?

    <p>The Great Library's extensive collections.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which event is associated with the introduction of Greek texts to medieval Europe?

    <p>The First Crusade in 1095.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main feature of the underground backup library created by Ptolemy III?

    <p>It held copies of important works.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did perceptions of change differ between ancient China and medieval Europe?

    <p>Rapid change was viewed positively in the West, but negatively in China.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What invention is Isaac Newton credited with despite the controversy surrounding it?

    <p>Calculus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which significant scientific achievement is associated with Isaac Newton's research in optics?

    <p>Proving light is composed of small particles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was the first woman admitted to the Royal Society?

    <p>Kathleen Lonsdale</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the original purpose of the steam engine developed by Thomas Savery?

    <p>Water pump</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant social change was brought about by Newtonian laws?

    <p>Universal laws of motion and gravity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which individual is known for the conflict with Isaac Newton regarding the invention of a reflective telescope?

    <p>Robert Hooke</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which discovery is associated with the early experiments of the steam engine prior to Thomas Savery?

    <p>Vacuum pump design</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primary economic concept emerged during the era of the Royal Society's influence?

    <p>Capitalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor is most emphasized in social determinism regarding technological change?

    <p>External social factors shape technological development.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following technologies is associated with early human dietary evolution?

    <p>Oldowan tools</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the first printed book produced by Gutenberg?

    <p>The Bible</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a notable outcome of the shift from Oldowan to Acheulean tools?

    <p>The ability to hunt larger animals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which material was primarily used to produce paper in Europe after 1347?

    <p>Linen fibers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the end of the ice age affect human societies around 11,000 years ago?

    <p>It prompted the development of agriculture in favorable climates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a consequence of the printing press's introduction on established publishers before 1450?

    <p>Removal of gatekeepers to publication</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What critical link exists between technology and human evolution?

    <p>Increased meat consumption led to larger brain development.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which best describes the relationship between society and technology as discussed by Thomas Misa?

    <p>Technology and society mutually shape each other.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What technological advancement was used significantly for rocketry in China before the 1200s?

    <p>Gunpowder</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following was not a limitation in the early development of the printing press in Europe?

    <p>Existence of the printing press</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a major social factor influencing technological inventions according to Roberton Merton?

    <p>Religious beliefs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of early human life did tools from the prehistoric period primarily address?

    <p>Meeting survival needs such as food and shelter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary use of the black powder invented in China prior to its military applications?

    <p>Religious festivals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the commercialization of sins within the church lead to?

    <p>Availability of more indulgences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is credited with the innovation of oil-based ink and a new alloy for type in printmaking?

    <p>Johannes Gutenberg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the internal approach to historiography primarily focus on?

    <p>Detailed scientific aspects and technological mechanics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the unidirectional model of technological determinism?

    <p>Society is shaped exclusively by technological advancements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which model suggests that technology evolves from primitive to more complex forms?

    <p>Evolutionary model</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect does the external approach emphasize regarding technology?

    <p>Social and external factors shape technological development</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What criticism is often directed at the great men theory of invention?

    <p>It ignores the role of women in technological advancement</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the content, which of the following is a characteristic of technological determinism?

    <p>It views technological change as a leading factor in historical progress</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which criticism applies to the unidirectional model of technological determinism?

    <p>It overly simplifies the complexity of technological impacts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant flaw in the perception of the independent inventor notion?

    <p>Many recognized inventors were not the actual innovators</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Technology and Society

    • Technology is a system that leads to the creation of predetermined products, not just a collection of artifacts.
    • Technology is used to solve real-world problems.
    • Societies determine the development of technology, not the other way around.
    • Technology influences society and vice versa.

    The Development of Technology:

    • Prehistoric Period (before 3200 BC)
      • Oldowan tools (2.5 million - 1.5 million years ago)
        • Flake tools were created, for protection from elements.
        • Australopithecus (Lucy) used these tools.
        • Wonderwerk Cave (circa 2 million years ago) is considered one of the first shelters.
      • Acheulean tools (1.5 million - 100,000 years ago)
        • Core tools, Homo Erectus, and Turkana Boy were associated with these tools.
        • Acheulean Core tools - Flint hand axe
        • shift in diet, humans ate more meat, leading to bigger brains, turning humans into a product of technology.
    • Stone tools led to more meat consumption, new proteins, bigger brains, and ultimately the development of Homo Sapiens.
    • Climate Change and Technology
      • Circa 11,500 years ago, the ice age ended.
      • Circa 11,000 years ago, the earth became hot and dry, leading to a shift in human populations as they searched for food and water.
      • Circa 11,000 years ago, Mesopotamia was discovered as a lush place with abundant food and water.
      • The need to cultivate crops led to the development of agriculture as a new technology.

    Internal vs. External Approaches to Technology

    • Internal approach - "nuts and bolts," focuses on the science of technology without social context.
    • External approach - external social factors shape the development of technology.
    • Interactive view - technology influences society and society shapes technology.

    The Mouseion

    • Ptolemy I, after Alexander the Great, established the Mouseion, the first research institute.
    • The Great Library of Alexandria was the first major center of information.
    • The library was destroyed multiple times, but a backup library containing copies of important works survived until AD 642.

    Eratosthenes

    • A teacher, director of the Great Library, and a mathematician.
    • Measured the circumference of the earth (250,000 stadia, or 40,000 km).
    • Measured the distance from the earth to the sun (804,000,000 stadia) and the moon (780,000 stadia).

    Technology in China

    • Ancient Chinese invented many technologies but did not use them to advance society the way Europeans did.
    • Lack of social flexibility, primarily due to class structure, prevented innovation.
    • The government and religion controlled the rate of change.
    • In the West, rapid change is seen as progress. In China, rapid change is viewed as imbalance.

    Christianity and Technological Change in Medieval Europe

    • The stirrup, a tool already present in China, revolutionized warfare in medieval Europe.
    • The Battle of Hastings in 1066 established a new class structure, leading to armed men with little to do.
    • The First Crusade in 1095 brought back Greek books from Alexandria, boosting the spread of knowledge and technology.

    What is Technology?

    • Technology is a system used to create predetermined products, not just a collection of artifacts.
    • Examples of technology include: computers, rockets, cars, and cell phones.
    • Technology is used to solve real-world problems.
    • Technology can be “silent/invisible” - for example, education, government, and economy are all systems that rely on technology.

    From Technological to Social Determinism

    • Internal Approach focuses on the “nuts and bolts” of technology.
    • Scientists and engineers are seen as independent inventors, making discoveries without being influenced by society (the “great men theory”).
    • Unidirectional Model of Technological Determinism - Technology influences society, but society does not influence technology.
    • Evolutionary Model - Technology progresses from primitive to complex, always getting “better.”
    • External Approach focuses on how social factors shape the development of technology.
    • Social Determinism argues that all technological change is driven by social factors.
    • Interactive View - Technology influences society and society influences technology.

    Are We a Product of Technology?

    • Humans have been using technology for millions of years.
    • Oldowan Tools (2.5 million - 1.5 million years ago) - Flake tools used by Australopithecus for protection against the elements.
    • Acheulean Tools (1.5 million - 100,000 years ago) - Core tools used by Homo Erectus. The more efficient tools allowed for more meat consumption, which led to a larger brain size.
    • Stone Tools were crucial in the evolution of Homo Sapiens around 100,000 years ago.
    • Climate Change and Technology - The end of the ice age (circa 11,500 years ago) created challenges for early humans, driving them to develop new technologies for survival.
    • Agriculture became a new technology as humans learned to cultivate crops and grow their own food in Mesopotamia.

    Alexander, Ptolemy, and the Mouseion

    • Alexander the Great conquered Greece, Athens, and the Persian Empire, spreading Greek culture (Hellenization).
    • Alexandria became the capital of Egypt after Alexander’s conquest.
    • Ptolemy I established the Mouseion, the first research institute, in Alexandria.
    • The Great Library of Alexandria was the first major center of information.
    • The library was destroyed multiple times, finally in AD 200.
    • There was a backup library built underground, which survived until AD 642.
    • The House of Wisdom in Baghdad, founded in 763, was inspired by the Mouseion and focused on translation.

    Eratosthenes - The Little We Know

    • Eratosthenes was a teacher and director of the Great Library of Alexandria, known for his contributions to mathematics and astronomy.
    • Eratosthenes calculated the circumference of the Earth to be 250,000 stadia (40,000 km).
    • He also calculated distances to the sun and moon.

    Technological Determinism and External Factors

    • The Chinese Connection
      • Ancient China was a technologically advanced society, but it did not use its technology to the same extent as Europe.
      • Social inflexibility (class structure), government control, and religious beliefs prevented widespread innovation.
      • The stirrup, a critical innovation, had already been developed and used in China before being adopted by Europe.
    • Medieval Europe
      • The Battle of Hastings (1066) brought about a new class structure with armed men who had little to do.
      • The First Crusade (1095) led to the capture of Jerusalem and the acquisition of Greek books from Alexandria.
      • The rise of banking and commerce allowed military orders (e.g., the Templars) to control vast sums of money.
      • Gunpowder, initially known as the “elixir of life,” was known in China before being adopted by Europe.
      • The Roman Empire’s fall was partly attributed to the domestication of pigs, whose droppings contributed to the production of potassium nitrate (a key ingredient in gunpowder).
      • Large cannons, developed in China, were introduced to Europe by the Mongols and Turks before Constantinople (the Eastern Roman Empire) eventually fell to Turkish forces using these weapons.
      • The printing press
        • Movable type printing was invented in China in 868 AD and in Korea in 1377 AD.
        • Key challenges to creating a printing press in Europe included the availability of paper, fast-drying ink, reusable type, and a suitable press.
        • Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press, using oil-based ink and a new metal alloy, revolutionized the spread of knowledge.
      • The printing press facilitated the diffusion of knowledge and led to increased access to books.
      • Martin Luther’s 95 Theses (1517) were printed and disseminated widely, playing a significant role in the Reformation and the rise of Protestantism.
      • Robert Merton's thesis, which argued that Protestantism contributed to the Industrial Revolution, highlighted the impact of printed books.

    Isaac Newton and the Birth of Modern Science

    • Isaac Newton (1642-1727) was a groundbreaking scientist who developed calculus, the laws of gravity and motion, and made significant contributions to optics.
    • Newton’s work was heavily influenced by the texts he had access to during the plague of 1665.
    • Newton also practiced alchemy and believed he had discovered the elixir of life.
    • C. 1679, Robert Hooke, an English scientist, discovered the movement of planets.
    • Newton’s book Principia Mathematica (1687) outlined the mathematical principles of gravity, revolutionizing British society.
    • His theories were universal, making him a pivotal figure in the development of modern science.
    • Newton and Hooke engaged in bitter rivalry over who actually invented the reflecting telescope.
    • Opticks (1704), a book by Newton, detailed his discoveries on the nature of light, proving that it was made up of particles.
    • The book marked the birth of modern science through its process of standardized methods for obtaining facts and knowledge.
    • The Royal Society (1663) and Academy of Sciences (1666) funded the scientific revolution through private and public means, leading to a focus on the utility of science and technology.

    The Steam Engine

    • Heron of Alexandria (c. 50 AD) created the first jet stream/turbine.
    • The steam engine was developed as a solution to the British Navy’s need for pumps to remove water from ships.
    • Thomas Savery built the first patented steam engine, based on designs from Edward Marquise of Worcester.
    • Denis Papin further developed the steam engine in the late 17th century, creating the first piston steam engine.

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