STS Module 2 - Historical Development in Science and Technology: Medieval and Modern Periods

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from the lecture notes on historical development in science and technology during the Medieval and Modern Periods.

Medieval Period

Covers the years around 400 AD to 1400 AD, characterized by feudalism, an agricultural economy, and the dominant Catholic Church.

Feudalism

A system that sustained the different kingdoms across Europe during the medieval period.

Catholic Church (Medieval Period)

A very dominant entity during the medieval period that kept watch on intellectual activities and put up several educational institutions.

Heavy Plow

An agricultural innovation during the medieval period that increased yield.

Mariners Compass

An improved version of the Chinese compass that, along with sternpost rudder and lenses, improved transport of goods during the medieval period.

Movable Metal Type Printing Press

Invented in Germany with roots in China, which, combined with paper, allowed books to be printed in volumes and improved knowledge transfer.

Arab Science

Flourished from the 10th to 14th century, characterized by being free of metaphysical and philosophical interpretations of reality, dwelling on observations and experimentations.

Modern Times

An era characterized by two important events: the scientific revolution and the industrial revolution.

Scientific Revolution

Started with Copernicus in the 1550s and culminated with Newton's laws in 1687, marked by a shift towards empirical data and the scientific method.

Copernicus

Initiated the scientific revolution in the 1550s by asserting the heliocentric model of the cosmos.

Heliocentric Model

The model of the cosmos asserted by Copernicus, stating that the sun is at the center.

Galileo

Presented observed evidence for the heliocentric theory in 1609 using a telescope, demonstrating the importance of empirical data in scientific discourse.

Empiricism

An emerging approach to science during the scientific revolution that emphasized observation and experimentation, contrasting with medieval scholasticism.

Scholasticism

The method of critical thought on which medieval science relied heavily.

Newton

Culminated the scientific revolution in 1687 by formulating the laws of motion and gravitation.

Industrial Revolution

Occurred in the 18th century, stemming from the coupling of science and technology to meet commercial demands, which led to the end of feudalism and the birth of capitalism.

Capitalism

An economic system that replaced feudalism after the massive industrialization of the Industrial Revolution.