Module 5: Science, Technology and Society PDF

MODULE 5 NORTHERN BUKIDNON STATE COLLEGE (Formerly Northern Bukidnon Community College) R.A.11284 Manolo Fortich, 8703 Bukidnon 0975-3032951 [email protected]...

MODULE 5 NORTHERN BUKIDNON STATE COLLEGE (Formerly Northern Bukidnon Community College) R.A.11284 Manolo Fortich, 8703 Bukidnon 0975-3032951 [email protected] Creando futura, Transformationis vitae, Ductae a Deo GE 7: Science, Technology and Society 2nd Semester of A.Y. 2022-2023 Rationale Human flourishing is the ability to live a good life. Rooted in Aristotelian ethics, it values health intrinsically and applies universally to all human lives. They can use their values, talents, and abilities in pursuit of their own goals and health. Course Learning Outcomes COURSE MODULE A. determine the development of the scientific method and validity of science. B. critic human flourishing vis-à-vis progress of science and technology to be able to define for themselves the meaning of a good life. Activating Content Synchronous Session Asynchronous Session Activity Reflections Content/Discussion Human Flourishing in Terms of Science and Technology Setting Application Assessment/ Reflection/Action The teacher will encourage students to ask question relative to the content presented. Establishing Feedback The teacher will be sending students a link for students to write their feedback in the week’s experience. Resources and Additional Resources Please refer to the course guide for the resources. 1  MODULE 5 Discussion HUMAN FLOURISHING Eudaimonia, literally 'good spirited is a term coined by renowned Greek philosopher Aristotle (385-323 BC) to describe the pinnacle of happiness that is attainable by humans. This has been translated into "human flourishing”. Human flourishing is defined as being 'good spirited" in the classical Aristotelian notion. It arises because of different components such as phronesis (Greek term for wisdom or intelligence), friendship, wealth, and power. In the Ancient Greek society, they believe that acquiring these qualities will surely bring E L the seekers happiness, which in effect allows them to partake in the greater notion of what U we call the GOOD. E D As times change, elements that comprise human flourishing changed, which are subject to L COURSE MODULE O U M the dynamic social history as written by humans. D Our concept of human flourishing today proves to be different from what Aristotle O E S originally perceived then-humans of today are expected to become a man of the world M R Competition as a means of survival has become out of date; coordination is the new trend. E U Western civilization tends to be more focused on the individual. S O C R Eastern civilization is more community-centric U The Chinese and the Japanese encourage studies of literature, sciences, and art, not entirely O C for oneself but in service of a greater cause. The Greek Aristotelian view, on the other hand, aims for eudaimonia as the ultimate good Flourishing borders allowed people full access to cultures that as a result, very few can maintain their original philosophies. It is in this regard that we would tackle human flourishing in a global perspective and as a man of the world. 2  MODULE 5 SCIENCE. TECHNOLOGY, AND HUMAN FLOURISHING According to Heidegger Technology is a human activity that we excel in because of achieving science”. The end goals of both science and technology and human flourishing are related in that the good is inherently related to the truth. The following are two concepts about science which ventures its claim on truth. SCIENCE AS METHOD AND RESULTS. For the most part, science's reputation stems from the objectivity brought upon by an arbitrary, rigid methodology whose very character absolves it from any accusation of prejudice. Such infamy effectively raised science in a pedestal untouchable by other institutions- its sole claim to reason and empiricism-garnering supporters who want to defend it and its ways General idea of how to do science: Observe COURSE MODULE Determine the problem Formulate hypothesis Conduct experiment Gather and analyze Formulate conclusion and provide recommendation TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING o Comparing the lives of the people before and now will make anyone realize the changes that happened in society not just in terms of culture, language, or rights but more importantly, changes in people's way of life due to the existence of science and technology. o The term "generation gap" is attributed mainly to the changes brought about by technology. o Although the original idea for technology is to be comfortable in using the different kinds of technology, mostly those who belong to the older generation think that these technologies are too complicated to operate. The Human Condition Before Common Era The Human Condition Before Common Era ✓ Our early ancestors' primal need to survive paved way for the invention of several developments. ✓ Gifted with brains more advanced than other creatures, humans are able to utilize abundant materials for their own ease and comfort. ✓ Homo erectus have been using fire to cook and marked the era of Stone Age 3  MODULE 5 ✓ Homo sapiens humans began to sharpen stones as one would a knife, an example of this simple machine is wedge. ✓ Changes in their protective covering out of necessity, and gradually, added more to their garments. ✓ What does this tell of them and their philosophies? ✓ Were they perhaps proud to show off their hunt and how good of a hunter they were? ✓ Were they concerned with social standing and stratification?. ✓ How about the meaning of life? ✓ Were they also curious on finding explanations to certain phenomena? ✓ It seems that they have found their answer in the person of religion through different figures in honor of some deity. ✓ Different tribes have different gods. COURSE MODULE ✓ Nevertheless, it can be positively inferred that like the people of today, our ancestors also found the need to explain things in a way that makes sense to them. They quickly realized that there are events outside of their control and attempted to justify things as being a work of a supernatural being The Human Condition in the Common Era. For a long time, humans were content with their relationship with nature. Earliest case of man-made extinction occurred over 12 000 years ago, possibly brought upon by hunting and territorial disputes. The Holocene extinction, also called the sixth extinction or more aptly Anthropocene extinction, occurred from as early as between 100 000 to 200 000 years up to the present. It pertains to the ongoing extinction of several species-both flora and fauna- due to human activity People then had a new objective-gather as much products as possible. They have to turned to wealth as one of their goals as humans and ultimately as civilizations, for they perceived that those who have many, live comfortably and thus are generally happier than those who do not have sufficient wealth. Thus, they began to hunt, farm and produce things with prospect of profit. Humanity became more complex. The primary goal was not merely to survive, but to live the good life.. Technology has been instrumental in all of these because in searching for the good life, people were able to come up with creations that would make life easier, more comfortable, and more enriching. Position-wise, the humans of today are much better off compared to humans several centuries ago. 4  MODULE 5 Advancements in medicine, technology, health, and education ushered in humanity's best yet, and show no sign of stopping. Below are some of the notable comparisons then and now. 1. Mortality Rate 2. Average Lifespan 3. Literacy Rate 4. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) The Essence of Technology. Humanity has indeed come a long way from our primitive ways, and as a general rule, it is said that we are more developed" than we were before. Modern humans are reliant on technology in their search for the good life. We see ways and means from nature to utilize and achieve growth- a goal that we believe would bring forth betterment. It assumes that it is instrumental in achieving a goal in mind, that it is a purposeful, deliberate craft humans steer in order to reach some greater good. One philosopher by the name of Martin Heidegger identifies that technology can either be perceived as first a means to achieve man's end and second, that which constitutes human activity. The second perspective paints technology in such a way that each period reveals COURSE MODULE a particular character regarding man's being. Rather than thinking that humans have a clear idea of what to expect in a good life, it can be stated that technology allows humans to confront the unknown and see how they would react. This is the danger presented by too much reliance on technology. Humans lose track of things that matter, reducing their surroundings to their economic value. After all, it was science and technology that gave us explanations, which worked for us and benefited us. It will be absurd to venture the dark and the unknown, but it should be done in order for us to retrace our steps to be able to achieve the Good. 5