Science, Technology, and Society: Historical Antecedents and Intellectual Revolutions

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the historical development of science and technology from ancient times to the modern era, including key intellectual revolutions and philosophical frameworks.

Antecedents

Precursors or influences that paved the way for advanced and sophisticated developments in science and technology.

Ancient Time

The historical period spanning from $3000\,BC$ to $500\,AD$.

Middle Ages

The historical era from approximately $476\,AD$ to $1400/1450\,AD$, lasting roughly $1,000$ years.

Modern Ages (Modernity)

The period from $1500\,AD$ to the present, marked by urbanization, scientific discoveries, and globalization.

Papyrus

An ancient form of paper developed by Egyptians as early as $3000\,BC$ using the pith of the Cyperus papyrus plant.

Cuneiform

The first writing system developed by Sumerians using word pictures and triangular symbols on clay for record-keeping.

Uruk City

Considered the first true city, built by Sumerians using sun-baked bricks and reeds.

The Great Ziggurat of Ur

A sacred temple known as the "Mountain of God," built for the chief God of the Sumerians.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, built by King Nebuchadnezzar II for Queen Amytis.

Hieroglyphics

A system of writing using symbols provided by Gods, often found on Egyptian pyramid walls.

Water Clock (Clepsydra)

A time-telling device used by Egyptians and Greeks that utilized graduated vessels and water flow.

Gazette

The first Roman newspaper, which featured news engraved on metal or stone.

Codex

An early bound book introduced by Julius Caesar, initially featuring a protective wax cover.

Thales

A Greek scientist who studied the heavens and successfully predicted solar eclipses.

Anaximander

A Greek philosopher who concluded that all life originated in the sea.

Leucippus

The scientist known as the "Father of Atomic Theory" who proposed matter is composed of indivisible units.

Johann Gutenberg

The inventor of the printing press, which utilized metal cast type and fruit juice-based ink.

Zacharias Janssen

The individual credited with the invention of the microscope based on principles of eyeglasses.

Louis Pasteur

The scientist who developed the process of heating liquids to kill bacteria, known as pasteurization.

Samuel M. Kier

The person who established petroleum refinery through the distillation of kerosene, also known as illuminating oil.

Alexander Graham Bell

The inventor credited with the first successful development of the telephone.

Geocentric Model

A cosmological theory proposed by Aristotle and Ptolemy stating the Earth is stationary at the center of the universe.

Heliocentric Model

A model proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus in $1543$ stating the Sun is at the center of the universe.

Id

In Freudian theory, the primitive part of personality driven by instant gratification and unconscious urges.

Ego

The rational and pragmatic part of the personality, considered the "Self," that balances reality with internal drives.

Superego

The personality component representing social rules, morals, and conscience.

Natural Selection

The primary mechanism of evolution where individuals with traits best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Tycho Brahe

An astronomer who developed the Tychonic System and compiled the highly accurate Rudolphine Tables.

Law of Ellipses

Kepler's first law stating that planets orbit the Sun in oval shapes rather than perfect circles.

Galilean Moons

The discovery by Galileo Galilei of Jupiter's four largest moons, proving not everything orbits the Earth.

Principia Mathematica

The world-changing book published by Sir Isaac Newton detailing the laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Cartesian Dualism

René Descartes' philosophical theory that the mind (non-physical) and body (physical) are separate entities.

Fermat's Last Theorem

A puzzle stating $a^{n} + b^{n} = c^{n}$ has no whole-number solutions when $n$ is greater than $2$.

Pascal's Law

A fluid mechanics principle stating pressure applied to a confined liquid is transmitted equally in all directions.

Robert Hooke

The scientist who formulated Hooke's Law and coined the term "cell" after observing cork under a microscope.

Eudaimonia

Aristotle's concept of happiness, defined as the pursuit of becoming a better person through virtuous activity.

Enframing (Gestell)

Martin Heidegger's term for the essence of technology as a way of ordering nature and revealing the unconcealed.

Technological Pessimism

The view supported by Jacques Ellul that technological progress creates more problems than it solves and becomes an inescapable framework.

Hedonism

The philosophical school of thought, led by Epicurus, that considers the acquisition of pleasure as the primary goal of life.

Tekne

A division of science meaning Art or Craft.