STS Module Lesson 4 PDF

LESSON 4: SCEINCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE HUMAN CONDITION Learning Outcome: At the end of the lesson, you will be able to 1. Analyze the human condition to deeply reflect and express philosophical ramifications that are meaningful to the students as part of the...

LESSON 4: SCEINCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE HUMAN CONDITION Learning Outcome: At the end of the lesson, you will be able to 1. Analyze the human condition to deeply reflect and express philosophical ramifications that are meaningful to the students as part of the society 2. Critique human flourishing vis-a-vis the progress of science and technology so that the students can define for themselves the meaning of good life. 3. Examine shared concerns that make up the good life to come up with innovative solutions to contemporary issues guided by students’ standards. 4. Examine human rights to uphold such rights on technological and ethical dilemma 5. Evaluate contemporary human experience to strengthen and enlighten the human person functioning in society. The Human Person Flourishing in Terms of Science and Technology The rapid advancement of science and technology in today’s contemporary world, there are questions being raised about human life, human flourishing, human suffering, and death. One lingering question is how should we live and die in this 21 st century when almost everything is under the control of the digital age? These are questions currently when science and technology shape our conceptions of what it means to be human The human person had become a global character because of the intersection of science and technology. S&T cut across material, cultural, and religious boundaries. The human person and the human body are divine gifts deserving of unconditional respect. In both the Catholic and Muslim view, God endowed human beings with reason as means to communicate with one another, to strive after the truth, and to care for his creations. Science and technology are recognized as positive in principle but can also, like human enterprises, serve evil ends. Technology as a Way of Revealing Martin Heidegger was one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century. Technology was an important element in his work: for Heidegger, technology was the key to understanding our current time. Especially his text ‘The Question Concerning Technology’ (1954, English Translation 1977), which has been very influential in philosophy of technology. He states that “technology is a way of revealing” In his Question Concerning Technology he has three claims: (1) technology is “not an instrument”, it is a way of understanding the world; (2) technology is “not a human activity”, but develops beyond human control; and (3) technology is “the highest danger”, risking us to only see the world through technological thinking. His view of technology as a way of revealing would suggest that technology is inseparably bound up with the way in which we live, our practices, and our institutions. In other words, Heidegger stresses modern technology as an instrumental way of revealing the world, that is modern technology is a means to an end. Human Flourishing Human flourishing is an effort to achieve self-actualization and fulfillment within the context of a larger community of individuals, each with the right to pursue his or her own such efforts. In the Theory of Sequential Development or Theory of Hierarchy of Needs, Abraham Maslow (1908 – 1970). Dealt on self-actualization (self-fulfillment, reaching one’s potential to the fullest, creativeness and appreciation of beauty and symmetry) as the last level of man’s motivation (Ariola, 2009).  Human Flourishing encompasses the uniqueness, dignity, diversity, freedom, happiness, and holistic well-being of the individual within the larger family community and population. Achieving human flourishing is a lifelong existential journey of hopes, achievements, regrets, losses, illness, suffering, and coping. According to Anthony Bradley, in an article of the World Magazine writes: ‘ an emphasis on human flourishing, our and others, becomes important because it is characterized by holistic concern for the spiritual, moral, physical, economic, material, political, psychological, and social context necessary for human beings to live according to their design.” For Aristotle, the end of human life is to flourish, to live well, to have a good life. All actions should aim at this end. Human Flourishing Versus the Progress of Science and Technology Science and technology and theology are key elements that contribute to human flourishing. Science (or scentia), in its broader sense encompasses the whole range of human knowledge. New scientific and spiritual information enable human flourishing to have a “better way of life for all-humans”. The whole range of science and technology examine one or more of the following aspects of human flourishing: ❖ The structure of the physical world in which we live ❖ The nature of human identity and human mystical experiences ❖ Character formation in adverse circumstances ❖ Relationship between scriptures and modern scientific knowledge ❖ Notion or purpose of biology The information that will be gathered from this examination will form an integrated and comprehensive examination of science and technology and human flourishing. The Good Life It is a philosophical term for the life that one would like to live. Concerns That Make Up the Good Life The values that make up the foundation of a life well-lived is not money. The ultimate expression of life is not the paycheck, not Mercedes Benz, Cruise ship, not even a billion peso in the bank. The ultimate expression of life is living a good life. What constitutes a good life? 1. Produce as much as you can. 2. Develop good friends 3. Keep your culture alive 4. Your spirituality counts a lot 5. Do not miss anything 6. Inspire your family and their inner circle When Technology and Humanity Cross When technology and humanity cross, which side are you on? Let us critically examine the future of technology and its relationship to individuals’ communities, governments, and the world. Are you ready for the greatest change in human history? It is futurism (in technology meeting humanity). Whether we like it or not, technology will radically alter not just our society and economy but our values and lifestyle as well. It is between techno mania and nostalgia in a lost world. As you notice, technology is developing at a fast pace that redefines the way we work, live, and even think. Do you know where the world is going? This question must have been posted long time ago when technology is still at its low pace. When you later become a business leader, an institutional decision -maker, a professional in an any industry, or simply a curious and aware individual, you will meet many challenges along the road. You might rethink that you are already in a post-human world – the world of “X-men” and “The Transformers”. We are about to be a witness and participant of a world dominated by technology – a world that is rapidly beginning to resemble that science fiction.  If these things will come, will you blindly abdicate big chunk of your lives to the global technology companies – or will you take back your autonomy and demand, a sustainable balance between technology and humanity? This was the big question Gerd Leonhard, ask. What is your answer? Examination of Human Rights Human being has an innate right to be valued, respected, and to receive ethical treatment. In the Philippines, the constitution sets forth the basic rights of the Filipino People. These rights are embodied in Article III (Bill of Right) and Article XIII (Social Justice and Human Rights). When both sets out basic rights they are referred to as constitution of liberty. Rights are designed to protect the individual against violation by the government or by an individuals or groups of individuals. These rights are enshrined in the Constitution to the individual in a democratic state on the belief that the individual has intrinsic dignity which must be respected and safeguarded. Under a democratic country, there are three (3) human rights: natural rights, statutory rights, and constitutional rights. 1. Natural Rights Natural Rights: Natural rights are associated with philosophy and religion. The idea behind natural rights is that our humanity (our unique nature) imbues us with certain inherent rights, including the right to life. Such rights are commonly attributed to scriptural or religious teachings, the teachings of philosophy, or simply "common sense." We believe natural rights are bestowed on us by virtue of being human. 2. Statutory Rights Statutory rights are an individual’s legal rights, given to him or her by the local and national ruling government. These are generally designed to protect citizens. They are typically enforced by local law enforcement, and their violation usually carries a penalty of legal prosecution and punishment. 3. Constitutional Rights These are rights of the citizens to participate directly or indirectly to the establishment or administration of the government. These rights are rights of citizenship (Art IV), rights of suffrage, right on information on matters of public concern (Art III, section 7). Constitutional rights include civil rights, social, and economic right, and of the accused. The General Assembly of the United Nations adapted Resolution No.53/148 on December 9, 1998 declaring the rights and responsibilities of individuals, groups, and organs of society to promote and protect universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedom. Ethical Dilemma of Robotics Dylan Evans writes about the idea of robot ethics that sounds like something out of science fiction. His descriptive narrative presentation is reproduced hereof: Scientists are already beginning to think seriously about the new ethical problems posed by current developments in robotics. At the top of their list concerns is safety. Robots were once confined to specialist application in industry and the military, where users received extensive training on their use, but they were increasingly being used by ordinary people. Robot vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers are already in many homes, and robotic toys are increasingly popular with children. As these robots become more intelligent; it will become harder to decide who is responsible if they injure someone. Is the designer to blame, or the user, or the robot itself? Software robots are basically complicated computer programs, However, they are already making important financial decisions. Suppose they make a bad investment, whose fault it is? Isaac Asimov, a well-noted robot creator was already thinking about the above problem back in the 1940s when developed his famous” three law of robotics” In his 1942 short story 'Runaround', science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov introduced the Three Laws of Robotics — engineering safeguards and built-in ethical principles that he would go on to use in dozens of stories and novels. They were:  1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2) A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law; and 3) A robot must protect its own existence if such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws. These three laws might seem like a good way to keep robots from harming people. But to a roboticist they pose more problems than they solve. In fact, programming a real robot to follow the three laws would itself be very difficult. For a start, the robot would need to be able to tell humans apart from similar- looking things as chimpanzees, statues and humanoid robots. This may be easy for us humans, but it is very hard problem for robots, as anyone working in machine vision will tell you. For further reading: https://people.uwec.edu/greener/phil308/TermPapers2/eric.lafferty.phil308.paper[ 1].pdf https://www.uio.no/studier/emner/matnat/ifi/INF3700/v12/undervisningsmateriale/ Is%20Google%20Making%20Us%20Stupid.pdf https://www.cc.gatech.edu/computing/nano/documents/Joy%20- %20Why%20the%20Future%20Doesn't%20Need%20Us.pdf ACTIVITY 1 REACTION PAPER Direction: Choose an article form the links above, Ethical Dilemma on Robotics, Is Google Making Us Stupid and Why the Future Does not Need Us. Write a 1-page reaction paper on your chosen article. Make sure to relate your discussion on the present experiences of humans. Criteria: Content - 30 pts Coherence - 10 pts Grammar/neatness - 10 pts ACTIVITY 2 MIND SETTING Direction: Answer the following. 1. When is life considered “good”? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. Are you happy on earth if your life span reach 150 years? Reason out. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 3. Is there a time on earth when robots are no longer controlled by man? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Direction: React on the following statements. 1. God has planned eternity in human heart. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________  2. Without a clear goal in life, you have no foundation in which you will base decision, allocate your time, and use your resources. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 3. Science and technology can build and destroy humanity. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ACTIVITY 3 ESSAY Direction: Write an essay with at least 300 words. Choose 1 from the different issues in science and technology. focus on the impact it could bring to the society. You can also include your own experiences. (50 pts) 1. Personalized genetic tests/personalized medicine 2. Hacking into medical devices 3. Driverless Zipcars 4. 3-D printing 5. Adaptation to climate change 6. Low-quality and counterfeit pharmaceuticals 7. Autonomous system 8. Human-animal hybrids (chimeras) 9. Ensuring access to wireless and spectrum 10. Ensuring access to wireless spectrum 11. Human enhancement