History of Science, Medicine, and Cultural Paradigms

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on science, medicine, cultural paradigms, and Filipino martial arts.

Science

A body of knowledge and a process of learning that seeks to explain natural phenomena.

Scientific Revolution

Period of fundamental change in scientific thought; Thomas Kuhn (1962) described it as shifts in dominant paradigms.

Thomas Kuhn

Philosopher of science who introduced the concept of paradigms and paradigm shifts in scientific progress.

Paradigm

A shared set of assumptions, methods, and values that guides normal scientific research.

Paradigm Shift

A fundamental change in dominant scientific assumptions prompted by persistent anomalies.

Anomaly (Science)

An observation that cannot be explained by the prevailing paradigm and may trigger a shift.

Normal Science

Research conducted under an accepted paradigm, solving puzzles rather than questioning fundamentals.

Culture and Technology

Mutual influence where cultural values shape scientific study and technology, while science can transform culture.

Medicine as a Science

Healthcare discipline focused on longevity and alleviating suffering through empirical observation and treatment.

Trephining

Ancient practice of drilling holes in the skull to treat ailments such as migraines.

Burr Hole

Modern surgical equivalent of trephining used to relieve pressure inside the skull.

Craniotomy

Surgical opening of the skull for brain operations.

Herbal Medicine

Use of plants—leaves, roots, bark, fruits—for therapeutic purposes.

Poultice

A soft, moist mass of plant material applied to the body to relieve soreness or inflammation.

Decoction

Preparation method that involves boiling plant material to extract medicinal compounds.

Infusion

Soaking plant parts in hot water to obtain therapeutic substances, similar to making tea.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Holistic system linking mind, body, spirit, and nature, emphasizing balance and Qi.

Qi

Vital life force in Chinese medicine whose flow and balance determine health.

Yin and Yang

Complementary forces (e.g., dark/light, cold/hot) whose balance sustains health in TCM.

Meridian

Pathways through which Qi flows in the body according to Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture

TCM treatment that inserts needles into meridians to restore Qi balance.

Egyptian Medicine

Ancient system where doctors–often priests–treated illness using herbs, rituals, and a channel theory akin to Nile irrigation.

Eye of Horus

Egyptian symbol associated with healing, used on medical prescriptions.

Imhotep

Egyptian high priest and physician; provided early public health advice such as shaving and handwashing.

Greek Medicine

Rational, philosophically based medical system introducing ethics, training, and the humoral theory.

Hippocrates

“Father of Modern Medicine,” developer of the Hippocratic Oath and humoral theory.

Hippocratic Oath

Ethical code for physicians originating with Hippocrates.

Pneuma

Vital force or innate heat in Greek medicine thought to sustain life.

Four Humors

Blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile; their balance was believed essential to health.

Temple of Aesculapius

Ancient Greek healing center where patients sought cures through incubation (dream therapy).

Roman Medicine

Pragmatic medical practice focused on soldier health, public baths, aqueducts, and prevention.

Galen

Greek physician in Rome; advanced anatomy and physiology, becoming an authority for centuries.

Barbary Ape Dissections

Galen’s animal dissections that informed, but also misled, human anatomical knowledge.

Renaissance

Era of renewed scientific inquiry and artistic expression, leading to advances in anatomy.

Leonardo da Vinci

Renaissance polymath who produced detailed anatomical sketches based on cadaver dissections.

Andreas Vesalius

16th-century anatomist who corrected Galenic errors through human dissection; authored ‘De humani corporis fabrica.’

William Harvey

Physician who described systemic circulation and the heart as a pump.

Pythagoras

Ancient Greek mathematician connecting music, ratios (2:1), and geometry like the pentagram.

Golden Ratio

Irrational number (~1.618) linked to aesthetics, spirals in nature, and classical architecture.

Galileo Galilei

Scientist who called mathematics the language of nature, advancing physics and astronomy.

Filipino Martial Arts (FMA)

Collective term for indigenous combat systems like arnis, eskrima, and kalis with weapon emphasis.

Arnis/Eskrima/Kalis

Primary weapon-based styles within Filipino Martial Arts practiced across the Philippines.

Destreza Diagram

Geometric footwork pattern (often a diamond) derived from Spanish swordsmanship, adopted in FMA.

Baston

Rattan or hardwood stick used as a primary training weapon in FMA.

Espada y Daga

Combination of long sword (espada) and short dagger (daga) techniques in both Spanish and Filipino systems.

Material Culture (FMA)

Physical objects—rattan sticks, steel blades, protective gear—that embody and transmit martial knowledge.

Soft Power (Cultural Diplomacy)

Use of cultural practices like arnis to promote national image and foster international goodwill.

Science

A body of knowledge and a process of learning that seeks to explain natural phenomena.

Scientific Revolution

Period of fundamental change in scientific thought; Thomas Kuhn (1962) described it as shifts in dominant paradigms.

Thomas Kuhn

Philosopher of science who introduced the concept of paradigms and paradigm shifts in scientific progress.

Paradigm

A shared set of assumptions, methods, and values that guides normal scientific research.

Paradigm Shift

A fundamental change in dominant scientific assumptions prompted by persistent anomalies.

Anomaly (Science)

An observation that cannot be explained by the prevailing paradigm and may trigger a shift.

Normal Science

Research conducted under an accepted paradigm, solving puzzles rather than questioning fundamentals.

Culture and Technology

Mutual influence where cultural values shape scientific study and technology, while science can transform culture.

Medicine as a Science

Healthcare discipline focused on longevity and alleviating suffering through empirical observation and treatment.

Trephining

Ancient practice of drilling holes in the skull to treat ailments such as migraines.

Burr Hole

Modern surgical equivalent of trephining used to relieve pressure inside the skull.

Craniotomy

Surgical opening of the skull for brain operations.

Herbal Medicine

Use of plants—leaves, roots, bark, fruits—for therapeutic purposes.

Poultice

A soft, moist mass of plant material applied to the body to relieve soreness or inflammation.

Decoction

Preparation method that involves boiling plant material to extract medicinal compounds.

Infusion

Soaking plant parts in hot water to obtain therapeutic substances, similar to making tea.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Holistic system linking mind, body, spirit, and nature, emphasizing balance and Qi.

Qi

Vital life force in Chinese medicine whose flow and balance determine health.

Yin and Yang

Complementary forces (e.g., dark/light, cold/hot) whose balance sustains health in TCM.

Meridian

Pathways through which Qi flows in the body according to Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture

TCM treatment that inserts needles into meridians to restore Qi balance.

Egyptian Medicine

Ancient system where doctors–often priests–treated illness using herbs, rituals, and a channel theory akin to Nile irrigation.

Eye of Horus

Egyptian symbol associated with healing, used on medical prescriptions.

Imhotep

Egyptian high priest and physician; provided early public health advice such as shaving and handwashing.

Greek Medicine

Rational, philosophically based medical system introducing ethics, training, and the humoral theory.

Hippocrates

“Father of Modern Medicine,” developer of the Hippocratic Oath and humoral theory.

Hippocratic Oath

Ethical code for physicians originating with Hippocrates.

Pneuma

Vital force or innate heat in Greek medicine thought to sustain life.

Four Humors

Blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile; their balance was believed essential to health.

Temple of Aesculapius

Ancient Greek healing center where patients sought cures through incubation (dream therapy).

Roman Medicine

Pragmatic medical practice focused on soldier health, public baths, aqueducts, and prevention.

Galen

Greek physician in Rome; advanced anatomy and physiology, becoming an authority for centuries.

Barbary Ape Dissections

Galen’s animal dissections that informed, but also misled, human anatomical knowledge.

Renaissance

Era of renewed scientific inquiry and artistic expression, leading to advances in anatomy.

Leonardo da Vinci

Renaissance polymath who produced detailed anatomical sketches based on cadaver dissections.

Andreas Vesalius

16th-century anatomist who corrected Galenic errors through human dissection; authored ‘De humani corporis fabrica.’

William Harvey

Physician who described systemic circulation and the heart as a pump.

Pythagoras

Ancient Greek mathematician connecting music, ratios (2:1), and geometry like the pentagram.

Golden Ratio

Irrational number (~1.618) linked to aesthetics, spirals in nature, and classical architecture.

Galileo Galilei

Scientist who called mathematics the language of nature, advancing physics and astronomy.

Filipino Martial Arts (FMA)

Collective term for indigenous combat systems like arnis, eskrima, and kalis with weapon emphasis.

Arnis/Eskrima/Kalis

Primary weapon-based styles within Filipino Martial Arts practiced across the Philippines.

Destreza Diagram

Geometric footwork pattern (often a diamond) derived from Spanish swordsmanship, adopted in FMA.

Baston

Rattan or hardwood stick used as a primary training weapon in FMA.

Espada y Daga

Combination of long sword (espada) and short dagger (daga) techniques in both Spanish and Filipino systems.

Material Culture (FMA)

Physical objects—rattan sticks, steel blades, protective gear—that embody and transmit martial knowledge.

Soft Power (Cultural Diplomacy)

Use of cultural practices like arnis to promote national image and foster international goodwill.