Introduction to STS and Historical Development PDF

INTRODUCTION TO STS AND HISTORICAL Materials science innovations create DEVELOPMENT stronger, lighter, and more durable materials for various industries. Science an...

INTRODUCTION TO STS AND HISTORICAL Materials science innovations create DEVELOPMENT stronger, lighter, and more durable materials for various industries. Science and technology play crucial roles in shaping our world. They influence how we The ROLE OF SOCIETY in Scientific and communicate, work, and solve problems. This Technological Advancements module explores the key aspects of the interplay Society’s needs, values, and economy between science, technology, and society, drive scientific research and illustrating how they impact our daily lives and technological innovation. future. Ethical concerns and public policy INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, guide how research are done and how AND SOCIETY technologies are used. Science, technology, and society (STS) is an Government significantly funds research interdisciplinary field that studies how through grants, subsidies, and policies. scientific and technological advances affect society and how social factors influence these Advocacy groups raise awareness on developments. It looks at the interaction issues like data privacy, climate change, between science, technology, and human life. and genetics. In simpler terms, STS focuses on the connection Economic factors and market demand between new inventions and discoveries and influence technological progress. the way they change or are shaped by society. Cultural views affect how people accept Science and Technology as new technologies like Artificial INTERDEPENDENT FIELDS Intelligence and genetic engineering. Science is the systematic study of the Access to technology and digital natural world through observation and literacy impact how communities benefit experimentation. from advancements. Technology is the application of Collaboration between schools, scientific knowledge to create tools and industries, and governments processes that improve life. encourages innovation. Science and technology influence each International cooperation is key in other: discoveries drive new technologies, tackling global challenges like pandemics and technology enables further and climate change. exploration. Instruments like microscopes and telescopes enhance our understanding of the universe and life.  HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Ancient Civilizations and Early Technology Advancement Period and Location Impact The Wheel c. 4000 BCE, Mesopotamia Revolutionized transportation and trade, facilitating easier movement of goods and people Cuneiform and Cuneiform (c. 3100 BCE, Enabled record-keeping and knowledge Hieroglyphics Mesopotamia) and Hieroglyphics transfer, paving the way for written (c. 3100 BCE, Egypt) communication in ancient civilizations Roman 27 BCE–476 CE, Roman Empire Engineered to carry water to cities, baths, Aqueducts and fountains, improving public health and advancing urban infrastructure Medieval Period and Technological Innovations (500–1500 CE) Advancement Period and Location Impact Al-Khwarizmi’s Algebra c. 8th–14th century Helped establish the foundation for modern CE, Islamic World algebra, greatly influencing the field of mathematics The Mechanical Clocks c. 13th century CE, Installed in church towers, were among the earliest Europe timekeeping devices Johannes Gutenberg’s c. 1440 CE, Germany Revolutionized communication and literacy by Printing Press enabling mass production of written material Scientific Revolution (16th–18th Century) Advancement Period and Impact Thinker Scientific 1561–1626 CE, Introduced a systematic approach focused on observation and Method Francis Bacon experimentation to advance scientific discovery Telescope 1564–1642 CE, Transformed astronomy with groundbreaking discoveries such Galileo Galilei as the moons of Jupiter, challenging previous models of the universe Laws of Motion 1643–1727 CE, Laid the foundation for classical physics, influencing the Isaac Newton understanding of forces and motion The Industrial Revolution (19th Century) Advancement Period and Innovator Impact Steam Engine c. 1765 CE, James Watt Transformed industries by driving mechanized production and boosting productivity Incandescent 1879 CE, Thomas Edison Introduced a more reliable, longer-lasting Light Bulb alternative to candles and gas lamps, revolutionizing lighting Assembly Line c. 1901–1913 CE, Streamlined manufacturing processes, reducing Ransom Olds and Henry costs and making products like cars more affordable Ford 20th-Century Technological Advancements Advancement Period and Innovator Impact Airplane (The 1903 CE, Wright Pioneered powered flight, transforming Wright Flyer) Brothers transportation and global connectivity Penicillin 1928 CE, Alexander Revolutionized medicine by providing the first Fleming effective antibiotic, saving millions from bacterial infections DNA Structure 1953 CE, James Discovered the double-helix structure of DNA, laying Watson and Francis the foundation for advances in genetics and heredity Crick 21st-Century Innovations Advancement Period and Innovator Impact Combines many functions in one portable device that Smartphones 2000s–Present has reshaped communication, entertainment, and daily life Blockchain Introduced decentralized systems for secure digital 2000s–Present Technology transactions, enabling cryptocurrencies CRISPR-Cas9 2012, Jennifer Doudna and Enables precise genetic modifications in medicine Gene-Editing Emmanuelle Charpentier and agriculture  SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY – PPT-BASED What is Science, Technology, and Society Includes topics on climate change and (STS)? environmental awareness. STS is an interdisciplinary subject that: Examine the interaction between science, Philosophy of Science technology, and social, cultural, political, Two Key Concepts and economic contexts. 1. Knowledge – Information and Helps students confront the realities of understanding gained through study and scientific and technological impacts on experience. society. 2. Epistemology – The study of the nature, Encourages ethical decision-making in origin, and limits of human knowledge. response to scientific advancements. REASONING IN SCIENCE Inductive Reasoning (Specific → General) Deductive Reasoning (General → Specific) Making a generalized conclusion based on Making a specific conclusion from a specific observations. general principle. Example 1: Example 1: o The sun rises in the east every morning. o All mammals have lungs. o Conclusion: The sun always rises in the o A whale is a mammal. east. o Conclusion: A whale has lungs. Example 2: Example 2: o All observed swans are white. o All humans are mortal. o Conclusion: All swans must be white. o Socrates is a human. Example 3: o Conclusion: Socrates is mortal. o Every cat I have seen has four legs. Example 3: o Conclusion: All cats must have four legs. o All planets orbit a star. Example 4: o Mars is a planet. o A student noticed that studying for tests o Conclusion: Mars orbits a star. improves their grades. Example 4: o Conclusion: Studying always leads to o All fruits contain seeds. better grades. o An apple is a fruit. Example 5: o Conclusion: An apple contains o After observing multiple apples fall from seeds. trees, a scientist concludes that objects Example 5: are pulled toward the ground. o If it is raining, the ground will be wet. o Conclusion: Gravity affects all objects on o It is raining. Earth. o Conclusion: The ground is wet. Inductive reasoning is logically true but may not Deductive reasoning is both logically and always be realistically true because new realistically true when based on valid premises. evidence may contradict previous observations.  KEY THEORIES IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 1. The Problem of Induction (David Hume, 1711–1776) Not all inductive conclusions can be considered general truths. Just because something has always happened in the past does not mean it will always happen in the future. 2. Hypothetico-Deductive Method (Karl Hempel, 1905–1997) Scientific conclusions must be determined through rigorous experimentation. Hypotheses must be tested quantitatively. 3. Bayesian Confirmation Theory (Rev. Thomas Bayes, c. 1701–1761) Uses probability to determine the likelihood of a hypothesis being true. Provides numerical support rather than definitive correctness. 4. Falsificationism (Karl Popper, 1902–1994) A hypothesis must be falsifiable to be considered scientific. If an experiment proves a hypothesis false, the hypothesis itself is false. 5. Epistemological Anarchism (Paul Feyerabend, 1924–1994) Claims that there is no single scientific method. Suggests that science should not be restricted by rigid rules. 6. Testing Scientific Theories (John Earman, 1942–present) Theories must be tested and confirmed through various models of verification. SCIENTIFIC REALISM VS. ANTI-REALISM Scientific Realism Scientific Anti-Realism Scientific theories and laws accurately Scientific theories do not always define define reality. reality accurately. Arguments for scientific realism: Arguments for scientific anti-realism: 1. Scientific facts are objective. 1. Scientific facts are subjective. 2. Experimentation helps us answer 2. Experimentation is influenced by scientific questions. opinions. 3. Both observable and non- 3. Non-observable elements do not observable elements exist. exist. Types of Scientific Realism: Types of Scientific Anti-Realism: 1. Naïve Realism – Everything perceived is 1. Constructive Empiricism – Science real. explains only what can be observed. 2. Structural Realism – Reality exists, but 2. Instrumentalism – Scientific theories are must follow specific structures. just tools for solving problems. 3. Entity Realism – Something exists if tools 3. Social Constructivism – Scientific can provide evidence for its existence. knowledge is created through collective agreement. Key Takeaways STS examines the connection between scientific advancements and society. Science uses both inductive and deductive reasoning to draw conclusions. There are multiple perspectives on the nature of scientific knowledge. Scientific realism argues that science reflects reality, while anti-realism suggests that science is a tool for understanding observations.