STS Finals PDF - Science and Technology in the Philippines

Lesson 10: History of Science and Technology in the Key figures: José Rizal, Antonio Luna, Philippines Francisco Liongson, Francisco Vivencio del Rosario. Precol...

Lesson 10: History of Science and Technology in the Key figures: José Rizal, Antonio Luna, Philippines Francisco Liongson, Francisco Vivencio del Rosario. Precolonial Filipino Science ("Agham"): Rizal and others studied medicine and pharmacy, producing significant research in "Agham" means knowledge of nature, rooted in biology and medical microbiology. religious and spiritual beliefs, influenced by They viewed science as essential for political Sanskrit agama (approaching truth). and social change, critiquing the colonial Applied in everyday life, using technology for system's reliance on Catholic doctrine over practical purposes like metallurgy (gold refining) science. and astronomy (navigation using stars). Advancements in Science in the 19th Century: Spanish Colonization and Scientific Development: Biological Studies: Filipino scholars like Casto Spanish friars were the first to document Filipino de Elera (zoology) and Sebastián Vidal science, focusing on natural history (biodiversity, (botany) contributed to biodiversity studies and plants, animals). defended Darwin’s theory of evolution. Early scientific works included Herbarum Public Health: The study of diseases and Philipinarum (by Joseph Kamel) and Flora de improvements in medical knowledge, with Luna Filipinas (by Francisco Blanco), documenting and Liongson contributing to global medical Philippine flora and fauna. advancements. Patronato Real promoted Catholicism, education, and development in science and Science and National Identity: technology. Through science, Filipino intellectuals fostered a Scientific Contributions of the Jesuits: sense of national identity, linking Filipino culture with global knowledge and the fight for Jesuits contributed to meteorology and independence. astronomy, founding Observatorio de Manila Scientific knowledge became intertwined with (1865). the desire for a modern, self-sufficient nation Fr. Faura’s Barometer (1879): First typhoon forecasting tool used across Asia, helping Lesson 11: Science and Technology in Governance reduce damage from typhoons in the Philippines. Good Governance: The Sociedad de los Amigos del País (Society of Good governance is central to ensuring a just society, Friends of the Country): where citizens' needs are met through transparent, efficient, and fair processes. Governance emphasizes: Established in 1771 to promote economic development in Spanish colonies, focusing on Social Justice: This ensures all citizens have agriculture, industry, and public health. equal access to opportunities and resources, Supported the rise of modern science in the addressing inequality. Philippines, especially in public health, Accountability: Leaders and public officials navigation, and industry. must answer to citizens, ensuring decisions are made transparently and fairly. Citizen Empowerment: It encourages people to Illustrados and Their Role in Science: actively participate in decision-making processes, creating inclusive policies. Illustrados were educated Filipinos (often Efficiency: Governance must efficiently deliver mestizos) who studied in Europe and advocated services and ensure sustainable development. for reforms in governance and society, believing in science as a tool for progress. Science & Technology in Governance:  ICT (Information and Communication assuming certainty and objective truths. In Technology) helps improve public service contrast, PNS recognizes uncertainty, conflicting delivery, making processes transparent, values, and high-stakes situations, particularly in citizen-friendly, and accountable. For example, complex issues like environmental management e-government platforms help reduce corruption or public health. and streamline service access. Why PNS?: PNS provides a framework for Innovation in technology allows better tackling complex problems where facts are management of resources and services, unclear, multiple stakeholders have different enhancing governance across sectors. values, and decisions must be made quickly (e.g., climate change, pandemics). Environmental Management and S&T: 2. Main Elements of PNS: Our environment’s role is two-fold: it provides - Developed by: Silvio Funtowicz and Jerome essential resources (like water and food) and Ravetz (1993). absorbs the waste humans produce. However, Uncertainty Management: Unlike normal the unsustainable use of these resources can science, which assumes that knowledge is lead to environmental degradation. certain, PNS acknowledges that many scientific S&T Solutions: issues are uncertain or evolving. Managing this ○ ANR (Assisted Natural Regeneration) uncertainty is crucial for informed helps restore forests, mitigating decision-making. deforestation. Multiplicity of Perspectives: PNS encourages the ○ Waste Management: Using technology, inclusion of diverse views and stakeholders, waste can be minimized, and recycling recognizing that there is no single, universally can be promoted to reduce harmful accepted answer. This contrasts with traditional environmental impacts. science, where experts alone often make ○ Fishery Management: Science and decisions. technology guide sustainable fishery Social and Intellectual Structures: PNS policies, ensuring the long-term health considers the broader social context of scientific of marine ecosystems. issues. It’s not just about solving problems; it's also about understanding how society's values, Synthesis: institutions, and policies influence those problems and solutions. Science and technology provide the tools needed to form effective policies, improve administrative 3. Where PNS is Applied: processes, and manage resources in a way that enhances governance. By incorporating technology into Environmental Management: PNS is particularly environmental management and policy-making, effective in managing environmental issues, sustainable governance is achieved, leading to better which are often uncertain and involve competing living conditions for citizens and a more interests. For instance, when there’s a lack of environmentally conscious society. clarity on how climate change will impact a region, PNS encourages public engagement and By linking good governance with science and considers diverse perspectives in technology, we can address environmental issues and decision-making. improve public service efficiency, both of which are Case Study - The Netherlands: The Netherlands essential for long-term development. Environmental Assessment Agency used PNS after a controversy around uncertainty Lesson 12: Post Normal Science management in 1999. This approach shifted from a technocratic model (relying on experts) to 1. What is PNS? a more inclusive, participatory process involving stakeholders, which helped improve the Traditional vs. PNS: Traditional science is based management of environmental uncertainties. on established facts and expert opinions, 4. Application in Real-World Problems: ○ How it Works: Citizens upload photos of whale sharks, contributing to a global Sustainability: PNS supports more sustainable catalog. development by recognizing that solving ○ Scientific Impact: Leads to scientific long-term problems requires input from a variety publications that help shape of sources, including science, social concerns, conservation strategies for and ethics. endangered species. Urban Development: Applying PNS can lead to Galaxy Zoo: better urban policies that account for long-term ○ Project Goal: Classify galaxies from impacts and engage the community in telescope images. decision-making. ○ How it Works: Volunteers visually classify galaxy images, contributing to 5. Why Is PNS Necessary?: new astronomical discoveries. ○ Legacy: Sparked similar projects in the PNS is essential for tackling issues where Zooniverse network. traditional scientific methods don’t suffice. Its focus on uncertainty, multiple viewpoints, and 3. Issues in Citizen Science community involvement makes it a more holistic and inclusive approach, especially in uncertain, Misconduct: Amateurs might unintentionally high-stakes situations like environmental introduce errors, or intentionally falsify data due sustainability, health, or policy-making. to lack of expertise or oversight. Ethics: There are concerns regarding consent, Conclusion: privacy, and whether citizens truly understand their role in the research. PNS is not just about addressing science-related issues; Data Quality: Ensuring that non-expert it’s about recognizing that complex problems require contributions meet scientific standards and more than just technical expertise. Uncertainty, diverse are accurate enough for serious analysis. perspectives, and social considerations are integral to finding effective solutions. 4. Ethical Concerns Lesson 13: Citizen Science Citizen Participation as Research Subjects: Ethical dilemmas include ensuring informed 1. What is Citizen Science? consent, protecting privacy, and preventing misuse of data collected by amateurs. Inclusive Science: Ordinary people, or amateurs, contribute to scientific studies, not 5. Synthesis just professionals. Public Engagement: Involves public in data Future of Citizen Science: Promising, with collection, analysis, and sharing insights, increasing potential for large-scale leading to more diverse input and faster data collaboration. However, must establish gathering. guidelines and ethics protocols to handle data Purpose: Aims to solve complex issues like accuracy and participant rights. biodiversity conservation, environmental Public Benefit: When managed properly, it problems, or disease tracking that require fosters a more inclusive, accessible, and extensive data. effective way of doing research, especially for issues like conservation and global health 2. Citizen Science in Action challenges. Wildbook for Whale Sharks: ○ Project Goal: Gather data to understand whale shark populations globally.