Lecture 2b_ Ancients to Copernicus. Reference_ Chapter 2.2 & 2.4 in OpenStax Astronomy
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Santa Barbara City College *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
101
Subject
Astronomy
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
1
Uploaded by ChancellorKnowledge13606
1. What struck you as most interesting, impressive, or intriguing about the development of astronomy before Copernicus? (5 points)
The first thing I found interesting was how each culture kept track of their development of their knowledge but also the different tools they created like China’s calendrics and timekeeping. I also found it interesting how the Mayan’s temple played a part of equinoxes with the serpent Kukulkan going into a pool at the end of the base of the temple. I also found it interesting that Ulugh Beg’s observatory was destroyed after his death because it was found so valuable as being considered the finest observatory in the world.
2. Why do you think most western textbooks present the history of western science as
originating in Ancient Greece, and then somehow popping up in the late fifteenth century in Europe, completely ignoring the 1500 years of direct contributions, both in mathematics and observational astronomy, of the Islamic Empire, in spite of ample evidence of trade and exchange of ideas along the Silk Road Trade Routes? (25 points) DO NOT SAY BECAUSE THEY LEFT NO WRITTEN RECORDS! There is evidence that there were lots of written translations between Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, and Latin. I think there could be a lot of factors of why europeans didn’t use other’s input except Ancient Greece but the first thing I could think of was because of cultural differences as many tool and discoveries to help create their conclusions was part of their cultural beliefs or significance for example the Mayan’s temple and Chaco Canyon being a structure that they built that helped align with equinoxes and solstices. With Europeans
not possibly trusting these systems could possibly be an underlying prejudice as in history has been shown that Europeans believed that they are better than other nations
with their pattern of colonization.
3. How do you think this omission affects kids and their attitudes towards science? (5 points)
This is an opinion question, so there is no single
right answer. However, there are WRONG
answers, which include an assumption that there were no written records, or that the developments were not important, or that the Greeks were superior. If you are tempted to write that the Greeks were superior, or that there was no trade, go back and read the slides again. I think this omission can only do harm as it doesn’t give them a full perspective and leaving them only semi educated on the subject. I also think that the only way we create more ideas is giving all the information and letting them use that information to from hopefully better creations.
Overall I think it is a little bit egotistical and unfair to not give credit to people who have also made an impact.
Discover more documents: Sign up today!
Unlock a world of knowledge! Explore tailored content for a richer learning experience. Here's what you'll get:
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help