STS and the Human Condition: Eudaimonia

STS and the Human Condition: Human Flourishing

• Eudaimonia, a Greek term, literally means "good spirited" person.
• Aristotle, a renowned Greek philosopher, coined the term to describe the pinnacle of attainable human happiness.
• In literature, this is often translated to "human flourishing," comparing humans to blooming flowers.

Lesson Objectives

• Identify different concepts of human flourishing
• Determine the development of the scientific method and its validity
• Critically evaluate human flourishing in relation to scientific and technological progress

Eudaimonia

• Aristotle's concept of human flourishing stems from various interconnected components, including phronesis (practical wisdom), friendship, wealth, and power.
• Ancient Greek society believed that achieving these qualities would lead to happiness.

Elements of Human Flourishing

• Human flourishing is dynamic, influenced by social history.
• Key elements include improved comfort, exploration of new places, innovation in products, and wealth accumulation.
• These elements repeat in a cyclical pattern, driving further human advancement.

Early/Ancient People

• Early societies relied on simple tools to enhance hunting and gathering.
• Technological advancements allowed for greater sophistication in tools and machines, leading to advancements in fields like space exploration and medicine.

Concept of Human Flourishing Today

• The modern concept of human flourishing differs from Aristotle's.
• Today, humans are expected to be "men of the world," participating in global communities and collaborating with institutions and governments to achieve common goals.

Eastern vs. Western Perspectives

• Western civilizations often focus on individual achievement, while Eastern civilizations prioritize a community-centric approach.
• Human flourishing as a singular goal is more prevalent in Western cultures.

Greek Aristotelian View

• The Greek view, rooted in Aristotelian thought, aims for eudaimonia as the ultimate good.
• Aristotle did not see eudaimonia as a means to obtain other goals.
• A person who has achieved the eudaimonic state will want to serve the community.

STS and Human Flourishing

• Scientific discoveries, innovations, and achievements expand human knowledge.
• Humans continuously seek to understand the world, tracing evolution and uncovering the universe's secrets.
• These discoveries provide perspective on existence, motivating future endeavors.

Human Flourishing and Science/Technology

• Human flourishing is intertwined with goals relevant to science and technology.
• Heidegger argued that technology is a human activity that results from advances in science.
• The goals of science, technology, and human flourishing are interconnected.

Science as a Method and Results

• Science gains its reputation due to its objective approach and rigid methodology.
• This methodology prevents prejudice and ensures objectivity.

Scientific Method Steps

• Observation of the problem
• Defining the problem
• Hypothesis formulation
• Experimental design
• Data collection and analysis
• Conclusion formation and recommendations

Distinguishing Features of Science

• Experimentation
• Empiricism

Verification Theory

• This philosophical criterion determines whether something is considered science.
• A discipline qualifies as science if the hypothesis is empirically testable and confirmable.
• Empiricism is prioritized, focusing on measurable and repeatable results.

Vienna Circle

• Early 20th-century academic movement.
• Emphasized the importance of observable evidence for meaningful claims.
• Rejects ideas that are not empirically verifiable.

Examples of Verification Theory

• Astrology uses the verification method to evaluate its claims, relying on existing expectations.

Falsification Theory

• This approach posits that accepting theories should be based on their ability to withstand attempts to prove them false and potentially explain phenomenon over alternative theories.

Science and Falsification

• Falsification theory doesn't promote the sole adoption of one theory.
• It encourages critical investigation that aims to determine which theories can endure attempted refutations.
• This theory was proposed by Karl Popper.

Non-Falsifiable Theories

• Theories such as Marx's Theory of Social History and Freud's Psychoanalysis are not testable and not falsifiable, thus challenging their scientific status.

Science as a Social Endeavor

• Science, due to the complexity of its methodologies, has led to a new school of thought concerned with the proper demarcation and criteria of science.

Alternative Perspectives on Demarcation

• Several philosophers have presented alternative approaches to the demarcation of science, looking at the social dimensions of scientific and technological development.

Science and Society

• The new view on science benefits society, recognizing that science is not the sole producer of results.
• Religious beliefs, luck, and random human actions can also affect outcomes.

Science as Education

• Science does not monopolize the production of results.
• Science uses a variety of procedures.

Objectivity in Reality

• The concept of objectivity is being replaced by intersubjectivity, reducing the emphasis on objectivity as a crucial element.

Development Goals (MDGs)

• Eight overarching concerns and priorities were established based on global partnerships for development.
• These include poverty eradication, hunger, universal education, gender equality, child mortality reduction, maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability, and global partnerships.

The Role of Growth and Technology

• Growth serves as an indicator for development, supported by technological advancements.
• Technological advancements enable growth attainment.

Explore the concept of Eudaimonia as defined by Aristotle and its implications for human flourishing. This quiz delves into the interconnected components of happiness and the impact of science and technology on our understanding of well-being.