Science, Technology, and Society: Origins of Science

• Kathleen A. Rafanan authored the material on Science, Technology, and Society as a faculty member of CAS-DMNS at UNP (University of Northern Philippines).
• The goal is to discuss interactions between science and technology, how developments affect society/environment, and to identify paradigm shifts in history.

Origin of Science

• Science systematically accumulates and organizes knowledge about the universe through observation and experimentation.
• Science is derived from "scientia," which means knowledge.
• Science can be defined as the system of knowledge of the natural world gained through the scientific method.
• Science was originally called "philosophy of the natural world" stemming from the ancient Greeks' desire to understand nature.
• Early scientists were called "philosophers of nature."
• The task of these philosophers was to understand what makes materials the same and different.

John Heilbronn's Definition of Modern Science:

• Modern science is both a discovery and an invention.
• It involves the discovery of natural regularity, allowing natural phenomena to be described by principles and laws.
• Science requires the development of techniques, abstractions, apparatuses, and organizations to describe natural regularities and their laws.

Divisions of Science:

• Natural Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Formal Sciences
• Applied Sciences
• Overlapping Sciences

Natural Sciences

• Natural sciences focus on understanding the natural world and its governing laws.
• Biology is the study of living organisms, their structure, function, growth, evolution, and interactions.
• Chemistry studies the composition, structure, properties, and changes of matter at atomic and molecular levels.
• Physics studies the fundamental principles governing matter and energy, including force, motion, space, and time.
• Earth Science consists of geology (rocks and Earth's structure), meteorology (weather and climate), and oceanography (oceans).

Social Sciences

• The social sciences study human society and social relationships.
• Psychology studies the human mind, emotions, and behavior.
• Sociology studies social behavior, institutions, and society, examining individual and group relationships and social structures.
• Economics examines the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
• Political Science studies political systems, government structures, public policies, and political behavior.

Formal Sciences

• Formal sciences focus on abstract structures, systems, and reasoning.
• Mathematics: The study of numbers, quantities, shapes, and patterns, including pure and applied mathematics.
• Logic: The study of reasoning, including the principles of valid inference and the structure of propositions.
• Computer Science: The study of algorithms, computation, and information processing.
• Statistics: The study of data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation.

Applied Sciences

• Applied sciences apply scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems and improve human life.
• Engineering uses scientific and mathematical principles to design, develop, and maintain structures, machines, devices, systems, and processes.
• Medicine diagnoses, treats, and prevents diseases and injuries, including specialties like surgery, pediatrics, and psychiatry.
• Agriculture cultivates plants and animals for food, fiber, fuel, and other products, incorporating knowledge from biology, chemistry, and economics.
• Forensic Science uses scientific methods to solve crimes, analyze physical evidence, and assist in legal investigations.

Overlapping Sciences

• Overlapping sciences integrate and interact between different scientific disciplines.
• Physics + Chemistry = Physical Chemistry
• Astronomy + Physics = Astrophysics
• Biology + Chemistry = Biochemistry/Organic Chemistry
• Biology + Geology = Paleontology
• Biology + Astronomy + Physics = Astronautics
• Geology + Chemistry = Geochemistry
• Geology + Astronomy = Astrogeology

Scientific Method

• The scientific method is a structured approach by scientists that explores observations, answer questions, and test hypotheses.
• It is a cycle of inquiry that aims to ensures reliable, reproducible, and unbiased findings.

Origin of Technology

• Technology is "tekhne", which means art of craft.
• Technology is also "logia" which means subject/interet.
• That is practical applications of scientific principles to improve the human situation.

Interactions between Science and Technology

• Science explores for the purpose of knowing, while technology explores for the purpose of making something useful from that knowledge.
• Science drives technology by making new technology possible through scientific breakthroughs.

Society

• Society is a group of individuals in persistent social interaction and sharing the same geography, political authority, and cultural expectations

Science Technology and Society

• Science and Technology greatly impact society, and this impact is growing.
• The sciences has given people the chance to pursue ethics, aesthetics, education, and justice to improve human condition.