Science, Technology & Society Module 1: Introduction, Definitions & Impacts PDF

**SCIENCE ,TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY** **[MODULE 1:INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY]** **DEFINITIONS OF SCIENCE.** 1. **SCIENCE IS A PRODUCT** a. Systematized, organized body of knowledge based on facts or truths observations. b. A set of logical and empirical metho...

**SCIENCE ,TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY** **[MODULE 1:INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY]** **DEFINITIONS OF SCIENCE.** 1. **SCIENCE IS A PRODUCT** a. Systematized, organized body of knowledge based on facts or truths observations. b. A set of logical and empirical methods which provide for the systematic observation of empirical phenomena. c. Source of cognitive authority. d. Concerned with verifiable concepts e. A product of the mind f. It is the variety of knowledge, people, skills, organizations, facilities, techniques, physical resources, methods and technologies that taken together and in relation with one another. **DEFINITIONS OF TECHNOLOGY**  e\. Focused on inventing new or better tools and materials or new and better ways of doing things. f\. A way of using findings of science to produce new things for a better way of living. g\. Search for concrete solutions that work and give wanted results. h\. It is characteristically calculative and imitative, tends to be dangerously manipulative. i\. Form of human cultural activity. **2. TECHNOLOGY AS A PRODUCT** a\. A system of know-how, skills, techniques and processes. b\. It is like a language, rituals, values, commerce and arts, it is an intrinsic part of a cultural system and it both shapes and reflects the system values. c\. It is the product of the scientific concept. d\. The complex combination of knowledge, materials and methods. e\. Material products of human making or fabrication. f\. Total societal enterprise**.** **Some of the notable human successes in the field of science and technology** Humans are ingenious species. Humans (Homo sapiens) have dreamed up and created some amazing and far-out things. From the moment someone bashed a rock on the ground to make the first sharp-edged tool, to the debut of the wheel to the development of Mars rovers and the internet, several key advancement standouts as particularly revolutionary. Here are some of most important invention of all times, along with the science behind the invention and how they came about.    **[Eco-Friendly Technologies/Advantages:]** These are sustainable technologies. This technol- ogy utilizes resources from the environment without causing negative effects to it. Some of these are: - Solar Energy - use of solar panels to provide electricity - Geothermal energy= Is the heat that comes from the sub-surface of the earth.,use steam to produce electricity. - Wind power - wind mills as source of energy **[Disadvantages and Ethical dilemmas of Science and Technology]** 1\. Threats to human survival - the invention of nuclear weapons in 1945, like the nuclear bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima that caused deaths of many people. This was a product of chemical and bio- logical warfare (bio-warfare); toxic wastes produced by manufacturing companies that threaten human survival and stability of the environment. 2\. Ethical dilemmas - exploitation of advanced scientific knowledge and technology devices and systems gave rise to situations in which advances seem to have turned against their beneficiaries, creating ethical dilemmas. The negative effects of technology are numerous. In our march to progress we have degraded the natural world. Forest are chopped down, topsoil is washed away, rivers are polluted and our waste is dumped in the oceans. 3\. Disparities in Human well being - there are advanced countries enjoying Science and technology based successes and hold high esteem in contemporary society (Economic strength), versus millions of people in less developed countries who have not partaken in these benefits. 4\. Social and Cultural conflicts - Military power is vital for national security of many governments; Superior and highly technical weapons dictated the outcomes of some recent wars. 5\. Innovating technologies can have negative consequences for certain sectors or constituencies: - include pollution associated with production processes, - increased unemployment from labor-saving new technologies - conversion of agricultural land into urban areas - effect on humans psychologically and emotionally -the usage and addiction of new gadgets effect of overused technologies in medical industry that can cause fatal births and diseases. - global warming