Sts and Human Flourishing PDF

STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION HUMAN FLOURISHING  LESSON OBJECTIVES 1. Identify different conceptions of human flourishing 2. Determine the development of the scientific method and validity of science 3. Critic human flourishing vis- à-vis progr...

STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION HUMAN FLOURISHING  LESSON OBJECTIVES 1. Identify different conceptions of human flourishing 2. Determine the development of the scientific method and validity of science 3. Critic human flourishing vis- à-vis progress of science and technology to  Eudaimonia - literally “good spirited” person - a term coined by renowned Greek philosopher Aristotle to describe the pinnacle of happiness that is attainable by humans - translated into “human flourishing” in literature, arguably likening humans to flowers achieving their full bloom  Nicomachean Ethics - Aristotle’s human flourishing arises as a result of different components such as phronesis, friendship, wealth, and power - in Ancient Greek society, they believe that acquiring these qualities will surely bring the seekers happiness, Elements that comprise human flourishing -based on the subject to the dynamic social history as written by humans 1. to live more comfortably 2. to explore more places 3. to develop more products 4. to make more money 5. to repeat the process in full circle  Early /Ancient People -relied on simple machines to make hunting and gathering easier -development allowed them to make grandeur and more sophisticated machines to aid them in their endeavors- space explorations, medicine  Concept of Human Flourishing Today - different from what Aristotle originally perceived them- humans of today are expected to become a “man of the world” - situate himself in a global neighborhood, working side by side among institutions and the government to be able to reach a common goal  Competition as means of survival has become passe; coordination is the new trend Eastern v.s Western Concept of Human Flourishing - western civilization tends to be more focused on the individual, while those from the east are more community- centric  - human flourishing as an end then is primarily more of a concern for western civilizations over eastern ; this not to discredit our kinsfolk from the east Chinese Confucian System Japanese Bushido  Greek Aristotelian View - aims for eudaimonia as the ultimate good - no indication whatsoever that Aristotle entailed it instrumental to achieve some other goals - a person who has achieved such state would want to serve the  than him , and thus is only appropriate that he should recognize it as a higher entity worthy of service. - stereotypes cannot be said to be true given the current stance of globalization  STS and Human Flourishing - discovery, innovation, and success contributes to our pool of human knowledge - human’s perpetual need to locate himself in the world by finding proofs to trace evolution - business of uncovering the secrets of the universe answers the question of our existence and provides us something to look forward to  - human flourishing is deeply intertwined with goal setting relevant to science and technology Heidegger - technology is a human activity that we excel in as a result of achieving science - end goals of both science and technology and human flourishing are  Science as Methods and Results - science’s reputation stems from the objectivity brought upon by an arbitrary, rigid methodology whose very character absolves it from any accusation of prejudice  Scientific Method STEPS : 1.Observation 2.Determine the problem 3.Formulate hypothesis 4.Conduct experimentation 5.Gather and analyze results 6.Formulate conclusion and provide recommendation  Two distinct features that give science edge over other schools of thought: 1. Experimentation 2. Empiricism  Verification Theory - earliest criterion that distinguishes philosophy and science - the idea proposes that a disciplines is science if it can be confirmed or interpreted in the event of an alternative hypothesis being accepted - theory gives premium to empiricism and only takes into account those results which are measurable and experiments which are repeatable  Vienna Circle - early twentieth century movement - group of scholars who believed that only those which can be observed should be regarded as meaningful and reject those which cannot be  Example of verification theory : Astrology, whose followers are able to employ the verification method in ascertaining its reliability; the idea is that since one already has some sort of expectations on what to find,  Falsification Theory - asserts that as long as an ideology is not proven to be false and can be best explain a phenomenon over alternative theories, we should accept the said ideology - due to its hospitable character , the shift to this theory allowed  - it does not promote ultimate adoption of one theory but instead encourages research in order to determine which among the theories can stand the test of falsification Karl Popper  Marx’s Theory of Social History Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalysis - not testable and not falsifiable, and subsequently questioning their status as scientific  Science as a Social Endeavor -due to inconclusiveness of the methodologies previously cited, a new school of thought on the proper demarcation criterion of science emerged  Several philosophers who presented an alternative demarcation that explores the social dimension of science and technology: 1. Paul Thagard 2. Imre Lakatos 3. Helen Longino 4. David Bloor  - the new view perpetuates a dimension which generally benefits the society Science and Results - science is not the only discipline which is able to produce results- religion, luck, and human randomness are some of its contemporaries in the field  - it can be concluded that science does not monopolize the claim for definite results Science as Education - there is no such thing as a singular scientific method, offering instead a variety of procedures that scientists can  - the idea of objectivity in reality, subscribing instead to alternative idea called inter-subjectivity - with objectivity gone, it has lost its number one credence  How Much is Too Much? Eight priority concerns of Millennium Development Goals (MDG) based on global partnership for development : 1. eradication of extreme poverty and hunger 2. universal primary education 3. promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women  4. reduction of child mortality 5. improvement of maternal health 6. continuous battle against HIV/AIDS 7. environmental sustainability 8. development of global partnership  Economists believe that growth is the primary indicator of development, as both go hand in hand, and has put forth their resources in trying to achieve such. Technology is the primary instrument in enabling them to pursue the