Sci Rev FINAL

Social Construction of Science

Science as a description of the natural world influenced by history and culture.

Judicial Astrology

Branch of astrology concerned with predicting worldly events and individual destinies.

Medical Astrology

Astrology focused on health and medicine, linking celestial bodies to human well-being.

Aristotle’s Cosmos

The geocentric model where Earth is the center of the universe, separating sublunar and superlunar realms.

Ptolemy’s Epicycles

A model explaining planetary motion with circular orbits, straying from uniform circular motion.

Retrograde Motion

Apparent backward movement of planets observed from Earth, influencing Ptolemy's theory.

Nicholas Copernicus

Proposed heliocentrism, placing the sun at the center of the universe, challenging church doctrine.

Isaac Newton

Physicist who provided a foundation for classical mechanics, explaining the laws of motion.

Humoralism

Medical theory based on four bodily fluids: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm.

Scholasticism

Medieval approach combining philosophy and theology, prevalent in universities.

Humanism

Renaissance movement emphasizing the study of classical texts and the importance of human values.

Natural History

Study of the natural world through observation, forming the basis for modern biology.

Hermeticism

Philosophical system exploring the relationship between human spirit and the divine.

Natural Magic

Focus on the hidden, natural meanings of the world, emphasizing observation and experimentation.

Cabinets of Curiosity

Collections showcasing a variety of artifacts and knowledge with no real consensus.

Tycho Brahe

Astronomer known for his detailed observations, helping to develop a new astronomical model.

Galileo Galilei

Mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to observational astronomy.

René Descartes

Philosopher who proposed mechanical philosophy and the vortex theory.

The Galileo Affair

Conflict arising from Galileo's support of heliocentrism, opposing church teachings.

The Enlightenment

Intellectual movement promoting reason and empirical evidence over religious dogma.

Positivism

Philosophy advocating empirical evidence and scientific methods to understand reality.

Industrial Science

Science driven by economic power and technological innovation, particularly in the 20th century.

20th Century Research Institutes

Facilities where scientists collaborate on major scientific questions, linking science and society.

C.P. Snow’s ‘Two Cultures’

Concept highlighting the divide between scientific and literary cultures, posing risks in technology and education.

Carl Sagan’s Cosmos

A TV series that popularized science and astronomy, inspiring public interest and education.

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Astrophysicist advocating for science as an objective, evidence-based discipline.

Social Construction of Science

Science as a description of the natural world influenced by history and culture.

In what way does the 'Social Construction of Science' view scientific knowledge?

It views scientific knowledge as being shaped by human factors like cultural values, historical context, and social biases, rather than being purely objective.

Judicial Astrology

Branch of astrology concerned with predicting worldly events and individual destinies.

What is the primary focus of 'Judicial Astrology'?

Predicting worldly events and individual destinies based on celestial positions.

Medical Astrology

Astrology focused on health and medicine, linking celestial bodies to human well-being.

What is the core idea behind 'Medical Astrology'?

It suggests a direct connection between celestial phenomena and human health, which could influence diagnosis and treatment methods.

Aristotle’s Cosmos

The geocentric model where Earth is the center of the universe, separating sublunar and superlunar realms.

What are the two main realms in 'Aristotle’s Cosmos'?

The corruptible, changing sublunar realm (Earth and its atmosphere) and the perfect, unchanging superlunar realm (celestial bodies).

Ptolemy’s Epicycles

A model explaining planetary motion with circular orbits, straying from uniform circular motion.

How did 'Ptolemy’s Epicycles' explain planetary motion?

By proposing that planets move in small circles (epicycles) whose centers move in larger circles (deferents) around the Earth.

Retrograde Motion

Apparent backward movement of planets observed from Earth, influencing Ptolemy's theory.

What observation did 'Retrograde Motion' present to ancient astronomers?

The periodic apparent backward movement of planets against the background stars when viewed from Earth, requiring complex explanations like epicycles.

Nicholas Copernicus

Proposed heliocentrism, placing the sun at the center of the universe, challenging church doctrine.

What revolutionary model did 'Nicholas Copernicus' advocate?

The heliocentric model, which placed the Sun rather than the Earth at the center of the universe.

Isaac Newton

Physicist who provided a foundation for classical mechanics, explaining the laws of motion.

What significant scientific framework was established by 'Isaac Newton'?

Classical mechanics, based on his three laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation.

Humoralism

Medical theory based on four bodily fluids: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm.

What was considered essential for health according to 'Humoralism'?

A balance among the four bodily fluids: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm.

Scholasticism

Medieval approach combining philosophy and theology, prevalent in universities.

What was the primary method of 'Scholasticism' in medieval universities?

It sought to reconcile classical philosophy (especially Aristotle) with Christian theology through rigorous logical debate and disputation.

Humanism

Renaissance movement emphasizing the study of classical texts and the importance of human values.

What was a critical focus of 'Humanism' during the Renaissance?

The emphasis on classical education, human potential, and civic virtue, drawing from ancient Greek and Roman thought.

Natural History

Study of the natural world through observation, forming the basis for modern biology.

What is the foundational approach of 'Natural History'?

Observing, describing, and classifying organisms and natural phenomena to understand ecological relationships and biodiversity.

Hermeticism

Philosophical system exploring the relationship between human spirit and the divine.

What is a key concept in 'Hermeticism'?

The belief in a divine oneness of the cosmos and the human ability to achieve spiritual understanding or gnosis through secret wisdom.

Natural Magic

Focus on the hidden, natural meanings of the world, emphasizing observation and experimentation.

How did 'Natural Magic' aim to influence the world?

By understanding and manipulating the hidden virtues and correspondences within nature itself, often through observation and experimentation, rather than invoking supernatural powers.

Cabinets of Curiosity

Collections showcasing a variety of artifacts and knowledge with no real consensus.

What was the typical content of 'Cabinets of Curiosity'?

Diverse collections of naturalia (natural objects like fossils, shells) and artificialia (man-made objects like artifacts, art), meant to represent the world's wonders.

Tycho Brahe

Astronomer known for his detailed observations, helping to develop a new astronomical model.

What was 'Tycho Brahe' primarily known for in astronomy?

His exceptionally precise and systematic astronomical observations, particularly of planetary positions, over decades, without a telescope.

Galileo Galilei

Mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to observational astronomy.

What major astronomical discoveries did 'Galileo Galilei' make?

He observed Jupiter's moons, the phases of Venus, sunspots, and the mountainous surface of the Moon, fundamentally challenging the perfection of the celestial sphere.

René Descartes

Philosopher who proposed mechanical philosophy and the vortex theory.

What was 'René Descartes'' influential view on the universe's mechanics?

He proposed that the universe is a machine governed by mechanical laws, with his 'vortex theory' attempting to explain planetary motion through swirling matter.

The Galileo Affair

Conflict arising from Galileo's support of heliocentrism, opposing church teachings.

What was the outcome of 'The Galileo Affair'?

Galileo was tried by the Roman Inquisition, forced to recant his support for heliocentrism, and spent the rest of his life under house arrest.

The Enlightenment

Intellectual movement promoting reason and empirical evidence over religious dogma.

What central idea did 'The Enlightenment' champion?

The belief that human reason and empirical evidence could be used to solve social, political, and scientific problems, leading to progress and individual liberty.

Positivism

Philosophy advocating empirical evidence and scientific methods to understand reality.

What does 'Positivism' assert about knowledge acquisition?

It asserts that the only authentic knowledge is scientific knowledge, derived from empirical observation and verifiable data, excluding metaphysical speculation.

Industrial Science

Science driven by economic power and technological innovation, particularly in the 20th century.

What was a key characteristic of 'Industrial Science'?

A close integration of scientific research with industrial applications and economic goals, fostering rapid technological advancements for commercial and national interests.

20th Century Research Institutes

Facilities where scientists collaborate on major scientific questions, linking science and society.

What role did '20th Century Research Institutes' play in modern science?

They provided environments for large-scale, collaborative research, often bridging academic, governmental, and industrial interests to tackle complex scientific problems systematically.

C.P. Snow’s ‘Two Cultures’

Concept highlighting the divide between scientific and literary cultures, posing risks in technology and education.

What did 'C.P. Snow’s ‘Two Cultures’' argue was a societal problem?

The lack of communication and mutual understanding between scientists and humanists, leading to a fragmented intellectual life and hindering informed decision-making.

Carl Sagan’s Cosmos

A TV series that popularized science and astronomy, inspiring public interest and education.

What was the lasting legacy of 'Carl Sagan’s Cosmos'?

It significantly increased public awareness and appreciation for science, particularly astronomy, making complex scientific concepts accessible and inspiring a generation of scientists.

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Astrophysicist advocating for science as an objective, evidence-based discipline.

How does 'Neil deGrasse Tyson' contribute to science communication today?

He uses various media platforms to advocate for scientific literacy, critical thinking, and the importance of an objective, evidence-based approach to understanding the universe.