Science, Technology, and Society in the Philippines

Historical Antecedents of Science & Technology

• Historical events shaped the development of science and technology.
• Key developments are connected to societal changes and economic growth.
• Different time periods show distinct approaches to science and technology.

How is Science Used in Technology?

• Science is the systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation.
• Technology applies scientific knowledge for practical purposes.
• Scientists use technology to conduct experiments.

The Role of Science and Technology

• Science and technology significantly affect daily life, communication, and economic activities.
• Technological and scientific revolutions drive economic progress, health improvements, and infrastructure development.
• 21st-century technology, like microprocessors, telecommunications, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, create new possibilities.
• Development comes from the convergence of related technologies.
• Science and technology have the ability to improve the lives of people in developing countries.
• They can differentiate economies that effectively address poverty from those that don't.
• These developments are drivers of growth, and include advancements in cognitive enhancement, therapies for cancer, and genetic engineering.

What Does Science, Technology, and Society (STS) Mean?

• STS studies how society, politics, and culture affect scientific research and technological innovation.
• This area examines how these advancements also impact society, politics, and culture.

Science and Technology Studies (STS)

• STS is a relatively new field that originated in the 1960s and 1970s.
• It emerged from a shift in focus in the study of science.
• A core assumption in STS is that science and technology are interconnected.
• These two fields are socially and politically influenced.

How Science and Technology Affect Society

• Science and technology have greatly affected society.
• They have made life easier and broadened the pursuit of social issues like ethics, aesthetics, education, and justice.
• Science's knowledge and scientific methods impact how individuals view the world and themselves.
• These effects are both positive and negative.

The Relationship Between Science and Society

• Science and technology significantly impact society, but society also influences science.
• Social factors influence scientific development, including pressure groups and social values.

History of Science and Technology in the Philippines

• Philippine science and technology have experienced growth and stagnation periods.
• Science and technology in the Philippines is overseen by the Department of Science and Technology.
• Many Filipino scientists in different areas like Pediatrics, Plant taxonomy, Tropical Marine Phycology, and Food Technology, have made contributions.

Pre-Spanish Era

• Filipinos had advanced knowledge of medicinal plants and extracted medicine.
• They had number systems, an alphabet, and developed methods of measurement.
• Farming, shipbuilding, mining, and weaving were prevalent activities.
• Examples of this era's innovations can be seen in the Banaue Rice Terraces.

Spanish Colonial Era

• Spanish colonization spurred growth in Philippine science and technology.
• Formal education and scientific institutions were introduced.
• Methods of agriculture and sanitation were advanced.
• Universities like the University of Santo Tomas were established.

Galleon Trade

• The Galleon Trade heavily influenced the Philippine economy during the colonial period.
• Trade was prioritized due to high profits.
• Agriculture and industrial development were often neglected.
• The opening of the Suez Canal led to an influx of European visitors to the Philippines.

American Period

• American rule saw continued progress in science and technology.
• The Bureau of Government Laboratories was established in 1901.
• The Bureau of Science replaced this later in 1905.
• The National Research Council of the Philippines was established in 1933.
• Science during this time was focused largely on agriculture, food processing, and related fields.
• Reports from the US indicated a lack of information needed, and limited resources for scientific research during the early years of US rule.

Post Commonwealth Era

• Science and technology gained importance during the Ferdinand Marcos presidency in the 1970s.
• The 1973 Philippine Constitution acknowledged the government's role in supporting science.
• A Science development program was introduced in the four-year development plan of 1974-1978.
• Funding for science and technology was increased.
• The National Science and Technology Authority replaced the National Science Development Board.
• The Presidential Task Force was created in 1988.
• The Congress did not pay much attention to scientific legislation in this period.

Paradigm Shifts in History

• Paradigm shifts represent significant changes in belief systems and provide new ways of understanding the world.
• They are essential in advancing scientific thought.

Kuhn's Paradigm

• Thomas Kuhn's work introduced the idea of a paradigm shift.
• These are fundamental changes in scientific approaches and underlying assumptions.
• A paradigm is a model for understanding how a field works.

Kuhn's Cycle

• The Kuhn cycle describes the process of scientific progress.
• The stages include pre-science, normal science, model drift, model crisis, model revolution, and paradigm change.
• These periods are important to better understand how science develops.

Society/Ethics

• Slavery used to be considered acceptable which is not the case now.
• The role of children in society has changed; child labor is now unacceptable.
• Concepts of male superiority and violence against women are no longer acceptable in many cultures.
• Control over information has evolved due to major inventions like the printing press.
• The Reformation affected the religious views of many.

Natural Sciences

• Darwin's theory of evolution, Plate Tectonics, and Einstein's theory of space-time are examples of paradigm shifts in scientific understanding.

Human Sciences

• Psychology and economics are influenced by paradigm shifts.
• For example, Sigmund Freud's theories about the subconscious revolutionized psychology, and government interventions in economics became increasingly commonplace.

The Arts

• The purpose of art is to reflect reality.
• The impact of Shakespeare and the evolution of musical styles like jazz and rock are examples of how societal, cultural, and historical standards influence the arts.

This quiz explores the intricate relationships between science, technology, and societal views, particularly in the context of the Philippines. It examines historical practices, significant contributions to Pediatrics, and the implications of technological advancements. Test your knowledge on how societal factors influence scientific endeavors and vice versa.