Unit 4

Question 1

What did the significant thinkers of classic Greece value?

Answer 1

Pure thought over practical applications

Question 2

When was scientific investigation, as a way of satisfying curiosity about the natural world, repressed in Europe? And why.

Answer 2

During the dark ages as people became preoccupied with religion

Question 3

What did science begin to challenge with the dawn of the scientific revolution?

Answer 3

Societal forces and tradition

Question 4

What did scientist realize during the scientific revolution?

Answer 4

The truth about nature must be established by systematic experimentation

Question 5

How did Aristotle contribute to scientific progress being thwarted for centuries?

Answer 5

His non-scientific thinking. Knowledge for its own sake was valued above application.

Question 6

Name an ancient Greek connection between politics and science.

Answer 6

Archimedes discovered the relative densities of different metals because he was asked to determine if a crown was made of real gold

Question 7

Why did science wither under the Romans?

Answer 7

They were far more interested in applying existing practical knowledge than in exploring the frontiers of theoretical knowledge

Question 8

What did philosophical studies focus on during the mediaeval period?

Answer 8

Issues of a biblical, not a scientific, nature. Societal pressures from the church were used in an attempt to regulate the nature of science.

Question 9

Name four ways that society changed from the 16th century onward’s

Answer 9

1. The decline of feudalism: dramatic increase in wealth
2. European colonization
3. Travel and conquest made the world smaller and less mysterious
4. Education was more accessible which enabled personal and social transformation

Question 10

Why was the Catholic Church opposed to the views of Copernicus?

Answer 10

Because by demonstrating that the earth moved, science force people to realize that maybe they want to so important after all. The Catholic Church opposed scientific development because it usurped its power

Question 11

Why did applied science flourish during this time? (Time of the scientific revolution)

Answer 11

People demanded more from science once they saw what it could do for them

Question 12

Who were the three great thinkers of Renaissance science?

Answer 12

1. Galileo (put into practice)
2. Descartes
3. Bacon (both articulated)

Question 13

Galileo, Descartes, and bacon’s ideas about how scientific experiment should be performed led to what?

Answer 13

The development of the scientific method

Question 14

Name two causes of the dehumanizing aspects of technology

Answer 14

1. Accidentally flawed design

2. Malevolence

Question 15

The decisions we make about science today will affect what?

Answer 15

Society tomorrow

Question 16

Scientific discovery comes increasingly from research and development programs that happen financed by what?

Answer 16

Social interests because of some potential value

Question 17

Why is knowledge not neutral?

Answer 17

Because it’s discovery flows from its anticipated worth. By the time a discovery occurs, commitments and decisions have already been made based on belief in the worth of the results

Question 18

In what two ways have scientific results and their possible technological consequences been seen as value neutral?

Answer 18

1. They tell us only what we can do, not what we ought to do: have no social/cultural value in themselves
2. No intrinsic monetary worth: no value before they enter the market and the market is either found or created for their use

Question 19

What mathematical function can be used to value risks?

Answer 19

The probability assigned to the occurance of danger, multiplied by its severity

Question 20

Accurately predicting the scientific results of future science is…

Answer 20

Impossible