History and Philosophy of Science
General Studies Unit
Kaduna State University, Kaduna
Kaduna State, Nigeria
GST 203
HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
LECTURE NOTES
COURSE INTRODUCTION:
This course is designed with the objectives of not only educating students on the historical developments that have taken place in the fields of science and technology and the philosophical basis on which achievements were made but to stimulate discuss and interests in the minds of students irrespective of the course they offer in the University, it is understood that cross disciplinary exposures of students in this manner will enable them appreciate the need to think alike and work together especially that they are our future leaders. The end result is lifting our country to joining the elite nations of scientific and technologically developed societies.
Man, His Origin and Nature
Introduction
The origin of man is based on the modern theory concerning the evolution of man which proposes that humans and apes derive from an apelike ancestor that lived on earth a few million years ago. The theory states that man, through a combination of environmental and genetic factors, emerged as a species to produce the variety of ethnicities seen today, while modern apes evolved on a separate evolutionary pathway. Perhaps the most famous proponent of evolutionary theory is Charles Darwin (1809-82) who authored The Origin of Species (1859) to describe his theory of evolution. It was based largely on observations which he made during his 5-year voyage around the world aboard the HMS Beagle (1831-36). Since then, mankind's origin has generally been explained from an evolutionary perspective. Moreover, the theory of man's evolution has been and continues to be modified as new findings are discovered, revisions to the theory are adopted, and earlier concepts proven incorrect are discarded.
Evolution of Man - Concepts in Evolutionary Theory`
The currently-accepted theory of the evolution of man rests on three major
Kaduna State University, Kaduna
Kaduna State, Nigeria
GST 203
HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
LECTURE NOTES
COURSE INTRODUCTION:
This course is designed with the objectives of not only educating students on the historical developments that have taken place in the fields of science and technology and the philosophical basis on which achievements were made but to stimulate discuss and interests in the minds of students irrespective of the course they offer in the University, it is understood that cross disciplinary exposures of students in this manner will enable them appreciate the need to think alike and work together especially that they are our future leaders. The end result is lifting our country to joining the elite nations of scientific and technologically developed societies.
Man, His Origin and Nature
Introduction
The origin of man is based on the modern theory concerning the evolution of man which proposes that humans and apes derive from an apelike ancestor that lived on earth a few million years ago. The theory states that man, through a combination of environmental and genetic factors, emerged as a species to produce the variety of ethnicities seen today, while modern apes evolved on a separate evolutionary pathway. Perhaps the most famous proponent of evolutionary theory is Charles Darwin (1809-82) who authored The Origin of Species (1859) to describe his theory of evolution. It was based largely on observations which he made during his 5-year voyage around the world aboard the HMS Beagle (1831-36). Since then, mankind's origin has generally been explained from an evolutionary perspective. Moreover, the theory of man's evolution has been and continues to be modified as new findings are discovered, revisions to the theory are adopted, and earlier concepts proven incorrect are discarded.
Evolution of Man - Concepts in Evolutionary Theory`
The currently-accepted theory of the evolution of man rests on three major