Evolution, Science, and Technology: A Historical Journey

The Theory of Evolution

It is now believed that all different lifestyles evolved from a common ancestor. The main idea of Darwin's theory was that change materialized in the morphological variation of species. These changes were slow and gradual. The process responsible for this evolution is natural selection.

Neodarwinism: Its central tenets are that variability is due to chance, mutation, and genetic recombination. Evolution takes place not on individuals but on the population.

Technology and Technoscience

Technique: A way of knowing is applied to the resolution of a practical matter. The systematic organization of practical knowledge is the basis of technology.

Technoscience: Science presents new challenges to be met. In this way, technology and new materials for scientific development are developed. This relationship is bidirectional.

Technology: The latest and most recent technical advances.

Prototechnology: The imitated ability to develop simple tools from materials of natural origin.

Writing: By means of a code, technology, a material, and a tool to carry out codified information.

Scientific Advancement

Advancement: The development of science can explain an increasing number of natural phenomena.

Falsificationism: According to Karl Popper, science progresses continuously because it ever gets closer to the epistemological truth.

Anarchism: Anything goes in science, and scientists must be free to exploit the power of nature and innovate.

Paradigm: Only changes when enough anomalies are presented in theories, and there must be an intention to change.

Limits of Science

• Social Limits: Many research projects are abandoned due to a lack of funds.
• Scientific Fraud: Ethical and legal conditions.
• Problems of Social Scientific Research: The environmental impact of science and technology affects the planet.
• It is unknown if research on genetic modifications in animals and plants will have repercussions in the future.
• The invention of weapons of mass destruction.

Historical Periods of Science

Greco-Roman Period

The authentic systematization of knowledge began in ancient Greece and was consolidated during the Roman period. Greek philosophy emerged alongside contemporary science. Herodotus stands out in the history of the Greco-Roman era.

The Middle Ages

The European era was marked by Catholicism.

The Scientific Revolution

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the conceptual and institutional foundations of modern science were established.

The Enlightenment

Scientific societies were consolidated, such as universities, as centers of scientific knowledge. The successes of Newton's physics and mathematics led to the predominance of mechanism.

The Century of Science

The 19th century saw advances in medicine, biology, chemistry, and physics. The 20th century saw enormous social interest.

The Genetic Revolution

It began with the discovery of the structure of DNA, finally arriving at genetic manipulation, genetic research maps, cloning, and stem cell research.