Introduction to STECHSOC

Study Notes

The course explores the relationship between science, technology, and society (STS), its impacts, and various fields of study.
Students will analyze the historical, social, cultural, ethical, moral, political, and economic aspects of science and technology.

Science is defined as the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. It originates from the Latin word "scientia," meaning "to know."
Various philosophers offer diverse perspectives on the nature of science:
- Karl Popper: Science aims to find disconfirming evidence, not confirming it.
- Galileo Galilei: All truths are simple once discovered; the challenge is discovery itself.
- Aristotle: An educated mind can consider a thought without accepting it.
- René Descartes: Solved problems become rules for solving future problems.
- Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz: Everything possible strives to exist.
- Immanuel Kant: Human knowledge originates from intuitions, progresses to concepts, and culminates in ideas.
- Francis Bacon: Arts and sciences should constantly advance.
- Bertrand Russell: Science limits knowledge but not imagination.
- Isaac Newton: Bold guesses are essential for great discoveries.
- Albert Einstein: Great scientists are also artists.

Technology originates from the Greek words "tekhne" (art, craft) and "logia" (study), representing the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes or the manipulation of the human environment.
Society stems from the Latin word "societas" (companion), representing a group of people living together in an ordered community with shared customs, laws, and organizations.

Science is a method for gathering knowledge about the natural and social world, prioritizing reason and observation.
It's characterized by a critical spirit, constantly testing hypotheses through observation and experimentation. Findings are always considered tentative and open to revision.
Science is a complex network of evidence and theory, evaluated by scientific communities. STS is interdisciplinary and inherently political.

A group reflection activity requires students to define "science," "technology," and "society" and present a unified definition to the class.
A reflection exercise involves analyzing a specific societal issue, examining its personal impact, societal impact, and the science and technology components involved.