MTTC SEMINAR PRESENTATION OPTIONAL 2.pptx

MTTC SEMINAR PRESENTATION OPTIONAL 2.pptx

1. DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE IN ANCIENT, MEDIEVAL AND MODERNPERIODS PRESENTED BY, NIMITHA ANN SAMUEL PHYSICAL SCIENCE MOUNT TABOR TRAINING COLLEGE

2. INTRODUCTION 2 Science has existed since ancient civilizations. Modern science emerged with systematic methods and reliable results. Classical natural philosophy in ancient Greece laid the foundation for systematic scientific thinking .

3. Development of Science in Ancient Period Pre-Philosophical Science Science originally meant general knowledge, not specialized study. Early humans gathered natural knowledge through observation. This led to abstract thinking and development of: Calendars Techniques for survival Communal systems like mythology and law. 3

4. Development of Science in Ancient Period Philosophical Study of Nature Pre-Socratic philosophers were the first to study nature systematically. They aimed to understand the natural order by separating it from conventions. Focus on explaining natural and physical phenomena logically. 4

5. Development of Science in Ancient Period Philosophical Turn to Human Things Socrates’ Major Contribution Shifted focus of philosophy to human concerns – human nature, ethics, politics, and knowledge itself. Criticized earlier natural philosophers for being too speculative and materialistic. Aristotle’s Contribution Developed a more systematic and teleological (purpose-driven) philosophy. Emphasized causes, motion, and change, seeing everything as having a natural end or goal ( teleos ) Addressed ethical, social, and political questions about the good life 5

6. Development of Science in Ancient Period Theoretical vs Practical Knowledge Aristotle separated theoretical knowledge from practical work. Considered speculation and reasoning the highest human activity. Manual work seen as less important compared to intellectual pursuits. Approach to Knowledge Unlike modern science, Aristotle emphasized deriving universal truths through reasoning. Relied less on experiments and observations. 6

7. MEDIEVAL SCIENCE 7 Aristotle’s ideas on natural phenomena dominated the Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages. After Rome’s fall, much ancient knowledge was preserved through Latin encyclopedias and translations into Syriac and Arabic. Islamic scholars translated, preserved, and improved Greek works, especially in science and philosophy. Europeans later recovered Aristotle, Ptolemy, Euclid etc., sparking a revival of scientific interest. Scholasticism blended Aristotelian ideas with Catholic theology, shaping medieval intellectual life. Western Europe, with its universities and monasteries, emerged as a new center of science, laying foundations for the Renaissance .

8. RENAISSANCE AND EARLY MODERN SCIENCE Rediscovery of Greek and Roman texts revived interest in learning and inquiry. Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model, challenging old beliefs. Galileo, Kepler and others advanced astronomy with experiments and observations Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes promoted the scientific method. The printing press spread new scientific ideas widely across Europe. Discoveries in anatomy and medicine laid the foundation of modern science. 8

9. Inspired by Bacon and Descartes- science advanced with experimental and mathematical approaches. Newton & Leibniz developed Newtonian physics, explained phenomena mathematically, and introduced concepts like energy & potential. Focus shifted to natural laws (thermodynamics, mechanics and practical applications ). AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT (17 th -18 th CENTURIES 9

10. Science became systematized- Willian Whewell coined the term scientist. Darwin’s on the origin of species introduced evolution & natural selection, transforming biology. John Dalton developed atomic theory; laws of thermodynamics and electromagnetic theory were established, extending beyond Newton’s framework . 19 th CENTURY 10

11. Einstein’s theory of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics replaced Newtonian mechanics. Science drove progress- space race, nuclear energy, innovations. Improvements in life expectancy and quality of life came through scientific discoveries. Modern thinkers like E.O.Wilson emphasized that the ultimate purpose of science is to improve human life and our relationship with nature. 20 th CENTURY & BEYOND 11

12. THANK YOU