Colegio de San Gabriel Arcangel
PACUCOA Accredited – Level 1 Status
COLLEGE DEPARTMENT
City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
LEARNING ACTIVITY 1
Name: ______________________________ Grade / Score
: _______________
Colleges: ____________________________ Program/Course
: _______________
Course Title: ________________________
Date : _________________________
Type of Activity (Check or choose from below)
Concept Notes
Skills: Exercise / Drill
Laboratory Report
Illustration
Formal Theme
Informal Theme
Others:
____________
Activity Title
Learning Target
: In the World: Ancient, Middle and Modern Ages
: I can discuss the interactions between Science and Technology
and Society throughout history.
References
:
(Author, Title, Pages) :
Discussion:
The ancient times predates to the time when civilization is still in its baby steps. Most
human settlements such as tribes, kingdoms, and empires are spiritually inclined in their
lives; believing in various deities as to explain why certain phenomenon occurs. As such,
the scientific community of this era is still heavily influenced by rituals and spiritualism.
Since science in that era is heavily tainted with spiritualism, most scientists pursue
knowledge thru arts, mathematics, philosophy, medicine, and astronomy.
Mathematics was considered as a major field during those times since it has a wide array
of application: from arithmetic in economy and war, to geometric principles in architecture
and engineering. Famous mathematicians from various ancient civilizations were
considered as founding fathers and authorities in various disciplines, and up until now
their works are still imminent in contemporary mathematics. For instance, Pythagoras’s
Theorem (Pythagorean Theorem) is a fundamental geometric principle felt in engineering.
Due to the lack of awareness in the place of humanity in the vastness of the universe,
some pursue knowledge in Arts and Philosophy. Here, men tried to come up with
principles as to why we exist, our place and roles in this world, and where we are heading
once we out of the game. Since the value of human life is still explored, various schools
that teaches how one should carry on with his life emerges.
With the advent of human life’s value, the need to preserve it emerges. Prolonging human
life thru the pursue of knowledge became the primary objective of ancient medicine. In
the earliest civilization, so little was known about the human body and pharmaceutical
potentials of plant. Pioneering men in such fields were Aristotle, Galen, and Hippocrates.
Aristotle made a crude attempt in differentiating animals from plants by pure observation.
Galen made further studies on Aristotle’s crude plant science and founded medicinal
botany. Hippocrates, on the other hand, was known for his important contribution in laying
the foundation of medicine during these times.
Although we have selected men who could make a somewhat estimated attempt during
the ancient times, still the legitimacy of other fields is somewhat questionable. This is
because their data were derived from what they can only observe thru their eyes.
Another reason why is because microscopic and atomic concept, two of the core dogmas
of biology and chemistry, are yet well established.
What’s more, the authority of knowledge were temple men, priests, and shamans who
are inclined more in the spiritual world.
Alchemy can generally be defined as an ancient art form that seeks purification of the
soul and immortality in parallel with the transmutation of chemical elements where gold
symbolizes perfection. Alchemists made medicines and pharmaceuticals, and
endeavored to understand the material basis of the world. Although the alchemists
practiced actual chemistry and medicine, turning lead into gold symbolized a spiritual
transmutation equivalent to an awakened consciousness present in all forms and which
created the universe. In Western alchemy, perfection is achieved through the action of
the Philosophers Stone. Alchemists believed that it could turn any substance into gold,
prolong life and cure illness. The Philosophers Stone is created from “prima materia”,
which is the primitive formless base of all matter, similar to our modern concepts of dark
matter or chaos.
Alchemy made important contributions to metalworking, refining, production of
gunpowder, ceramics, glass, ceramics, ink, dyes, paints, cosmetics, extracts, liquors
etc. Alchemists conceptualized chemical elements into the first rudimentary periodic
tables and introduced the process of distillation to Western Europe. They were also
among the first to extract metals from ores and compose various inorganic acids and
bases.
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Sulfuric acid was first described (approx. 1300 AD) by the alchemist, PseudoGeber. Sulfuric acid is the most used substance in chemical industries today
after water, air, coal and oil.
The alchemist Andreas Libavius (1555 – 1616 AD) was the first to describe
the preparation of free hydrochloric acid, of tin tetrachloride, and of
ammonium sulfate.
Libravius and Pseudo-Geber described the preparation of aqua regia (“royal
water”), a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, which can dissolve gold.
The alchemist Albertus Magnus (1193-1280 AD) is often credited for the
discovery of arsenic, although it was probably known to earlier alchemists.
Chinese alchemists invented gunpowder or black powder in the 9th century.
Indian alchemy made important contributions to metallurgy. High-quality, high
carbon steel was already being produced in India between 300-200 BC, and
was exported throughout Asia and Europe.
Alchemy was influential in the formulation of Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity. It is also
central to Jung’s idea of the collective unconscious. Much of the vast array of symbols
used in alchemy draws from the Collective Unconscious of the West. The history of
alchemy is very complex, and it is impossible to even scratch the surface in this article.
Activity:
1. How did the past knowledge shape the progress of society and the growth of
technology as of today based on the discussion above?
2. Why is it vital to look back upon past documents if are to advance with our study
is science and technology?