Science, Technology, and Society

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY - An interpretation of the physical world to which LESSON 1: DEFINITIONS OF SCIENCE, scientists subscribe. TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY - Changes as anomalies arise and gets replaced as...

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY - An interpretation of the physical world to which LESSON 1: DEFINITIONS OF SCIENCE, scientists subscribe. TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY - Changes as anomalies arise and gets replaced as knowledge develops What is Science? S – search for the truth What is Technology? C – creativity E – empirical Commonly define as the product or application of I – investigative science. N – numerical C – change and constancy 2 Basic Needs to Satisfy: E – encompassing The search for knowledge. Material requirements for human survival and Science – comes from the Latin word scire or scientia, prosperity which means “knowledge”. It is a very broad term. Its domain ranges from: Core activities of technology: Technological innovation that seeks to abstract science - study of abstract concepts transform the prototype inventions of R&D into like logic and numbers to commercial product or process. social science - study of society and its Utilization of technology itself. behaviour to natural science - the study of natural world and Outputs of technological activity: the phenomena within it. “software” - methods, techniques, organizations and management. - In general, science is a department of knowledge hardware” – tools, equipment, machines and covering facts and laws obtained through scientific materials method (merriam-webster dictionary). What is Society? - Its ultimate goal is to search for the truth in our universe. Some facts and theories are constantly - a group of people working together because of changing. common interests, beliefs, goals, profession or common ends (Merriam Webster) 2 types of knowledge: - an organization or club formed for a particular purpose or activity. Belief knowledge - Knowledge about the world is inherent and unique in each human being. It is attained by individual revelation LESSON 2: INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTIONS Research knowledge - Gathering of knowledge is THAT DEFINED SOCIETY universal. Based on the protocol to allow one to select between alternative observations or hypotheses. Scientific Revolution - It is the period of enlightenment Theory and Law - The ideas generated during this period enabled the people to reflect, rethink, and reexamine their beliefs Theory → A hypothesis or guess and their way of life; Scientific theory → an organized body of facts or - It led to the creation of new research fields in science explanations. It answers the question “Why”. and prompted the establishment of a strong foundation Law → a mathematical statement which summarizes a for modern science set of observation of natural phenomena. It answers the question “How” or “What”. The Copernican Revolution There were 2 reasons the ancient people had an interest GOOD Science? in studying the sky: 1. Used the sky to navigate on the sea - Eliminates as many variables while entertaining as 2. To know what time of year it was (very important many alternate interpretations of the observations as for planting crops) possible. - Studies the material universe - Its Hallmark is DOUBT. - This understanding changes over time. - Has paradigms  LESSON 3: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND NATION BUILDING Based on the brief historical background of science and technology of our country, during Pre-Spanish Philippines: The early inhabitants of the archipelago had their own belief system and indigenous knowledge system. Science was observed in the way they interpreted the movements of heavenly bodies to predict seasons and climates, and in organizing days into months and years. Scientific knowledge was observed in the way they planted their crops, in taking care of animals, and for food production.  They used science in preparing the soil for agricultural Transportation and communication systems were purposes and like any other ancient cultures. They also improved, though not accessible throughout the country. discovered the medicinal uses of plants. The Protestant church missions in different places in They developed tools for planting, hunting, cooking, the country also brought hospitals and schools to far- and fishing; for fighting their enemies during war or flung areas. tribal conflicts. However, World War II had destabilized the They also developed technologies in creating musical development of the country in many ways. Institutions instruments. and public facilities were turned into ashes, houses were The Metal Age had a significant influence on the lives burned, and many lives were destroyed. of early Filipinos. Since the establishment of the new republic, the whole Sophisticated designs of gold and silver jewelry, nation had been focusing on using its limited resources ceramics, and metal tools proved that their in improving its science and technological capability. technological ideas helped in the development of different tools SUMMARY: The development of science and technology in During Spanish Era: the Philippines, based on its brief history, is shaped by The Spaniards brought with them their own culture several factors and influences. Like in the history of and practices. science in other countries, it is always shaped by human They established schools for boys and girls and and social activities, both internal and external. introduced the concept of subjects and disciplines. Government Policies on Science and Technology It was the beginning of formal science and technology Science and Technology plays an important role to the in the early inhabitants of the archipelago had their own betterment and development of any country. belief system and indigenous knowledge system. Technology has a fundamental role in wealth creation, Science was observed in the way they interpreted the improvement of the quality of life and real economic movements of heavenly bodies to predict seasons and growth and transformation in any society. In order to climates, and in organizing days into months and years. achieve positive used of science and technology, the Scientific knowledge was observed in the way they Philippine government introduced and implemented planted their crops, in taking care of animals, and for several programs, projects, and policies to boost the area food production. of science and technology. They used science in preparing the soil for agricultural Science and technology policy is one of the purposes and like any other ancient cultures. They also public policies that promote appropriate funding to discovered the medicinal uses of plants. advance scientific and technological research and The country, known now as school of science and education, studies the impact of science and technology technology. upon its citizenry, and prescribes regulation, if The Filipinos developed ways to replicate the necessary. technology brought by the Spaniards using indigenous materials. Goals of Philippine Government Policies on Science Medicine and advanced science were introduced in and Technology formal colleges and universities established by the Prepare the whole country and its people to meet the Catholic orders. demands of a technologically driven world and; The galleon trade had brought additional technology Capacitate the people to live in a world driven by and development in the Philippines. Science and Technology Filipino students who were able to study in Europe DOST - Department of Science and Technology also contributed to the advancement of medicine, Sought expertise to the National Research Council of engineering, arts, music, and literature in the country the Philippines (NCRP) Meet ASEAN 2015 Goals American Era: The Americans established the public education The National Research Council of the Philippines system and improved the engineering works and the (NCRP) clustered these policies into four, namely: health conditions of the people. 1. Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, They reorganized the learning of science and International Policies and Governance introduced it in public and private schools. They established a modern research university, the Integrating ASEAN awareness in basic education University of the Philippines. without adding to the curriculum They created more public hospitals than the former Emphasizing teaching in the mother tongue colonial master. Developing school infrastructure and providing for The mineral resources of the country were also ICT broadband explored and exploited during the American time. Local food security 2. Physics, Engineering and Industrial Research, Earth and Space Sciences, and Mathematics The Philippine Congress has also created various laws related to science and technology. These laws vary Emphasizing degrees, licenses, and employment according to different themes such as: conservation, opportunities health-related, technology-building, and supporting Outright grants for peer monitoring basic research, among others. Review of RA. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) Some laws and policies are in line with international Harnessing science and technology as an independent treaties such as: move of development The United Nations (UN); 3. Medical, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); and Research areas Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Ensuring compliance of drug-manufacturing firms with ASEAN - harmonized standards by full Fields /Areas for Research and Development implementation of the Food and Drug Administration Creating an education council desiccated to 1. Use alternative and safety energy standardization of pharmaceutical services and care 2. Harnessing mineral resources Empowering food and drug agencies to conduct 3. Finding cure for various diseases and illness evidence-based research as pool of information 4. Climate change and global warning Allocating two percent of the GDP to research 5. Increasing food production Legislating a law supporting human genome projects 6. Preservation of natural resources 7. Coping with natural disasters and calamities 4. Biological Sciences, Agriculture, and Forestry 8. Infrastructure development Protecting and conserving biodiversity by full The development of Science and Technology implementation of existing laws Policies, Programs, and Projects in the Philippines are Use of biosafety and standard model by ASEAN embedded on the national goals, internationally treaty, countries legal frameworks, and social needs, issues, and Promoting indigenous knowledge system and problems. indigenous people's conservation Formulation of common food and safety standards Indigenous science is part of the indigenous knowledge system practiced by different groups of Existing Programs by Government Through DOST people and early civilizations. It includes complex Some of these projects are the following: arrays of knowledge, expertise, practices, and Providing funds for basic research and patents related representations that guide human societies in their to science and technology enumerable interactions with the natural milieu: Providing scholarships for undergraduate and graduate agriculture, medicine, naming and explaining natural studies of students in the field of science and technology phenomena, and strategies for coping with changing Establishing more branches of the Philippine Science environments. High School System Balik Scientist Program to encourage Filipino Indigenous science helps the people in scientists abroad to come home and work in the understanding the natural environment and in coping Philippines with everyday life. Developing science and technology parks in academic 1. Indigenous science uses science process skills such campuses to encourage academe and industry as observing, comparing, measuring, problem solving, partnerships inferring, communicating, and predicting. The establishment of the National Science Complex and National Engineering Complex within the 2. Indigenous science is guided by culture and University of the Philippines campus in Diliman. community values such as the following: The land is a source of life. It is a precious gift Capacity Building Programs from the creator; The Earth is revered as “Mother Earth.” It is Establishment of National centers of excellence and the origin of their identity as people development All living and non-living things are Strengthen Science education at the early stage interconnected and interdependent with each through PSHS or Phil. Sci Schools other; STEM implementation in K to 12 curricula Human beings are stewards or trustee of the Manpower and institutional development programs land and other natural resources. They have a Science and technology business center responsibility to preserve it; and (Technopreneurship)  Nature is a friend to human beings—it needs By too much reliance on technology, humans lose respect and proper care. track of things that matter, reducing their surroundings to their economic value. 3. Indigenous science is composed of traditional Martin Heidegger argued that its essence, or purpose, knowledge practiced and valued by people and and being are different from each other. communities such as ethno-biology, ethno-medicine, Technology can either be perceived as first, a means to indigenous farming method and folk astronomy. achieve man’s end and second, that which constitutes human activity. The second perspective paints technology in such a LESSON 4: TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF way that each period reveals a particular character REVEALING HUMAN FLOURISHING regarding man’s being. The Human Conditions Before Common Era and Backtracking Human Conditions During Common Era Technology’s initial promises proved to be true, Our early ancestors primal need to survive regardless of its ramifications. paved way for the invention of several developments. Different machineries aid in prolonging lives- Gifted with brains more advanced than other creatures, assisting those with disabilities, honing efficiency in humans are able to utilize abundant materials for their industrial workplaces, and many more. own ease and comfort. Some places in the world are still battling for their daily survival diseases, tribe wars, lack of habitable Below are some notable conditions of humans territories, and competitions on resources. A lot of people still subscribe to religion in explaining a) before common era things that they do not know. For those who have ceased Homo erectus has been using fire to cook, all the while to do so, they have turned their worships to reverence of without realizing the laws of friction and heat. science. Tools from stone and flints marked the era of the Stone They are still trying to discover and rediscover things Age, during the advent of our very own Homo sapiens as to how their existence of the world make sense, and People discovered minerals and began forging technology does little to aid them in the pursuit of life’s metalwork. meaning. Fur clothing and animal skin are primarily used for Technological advancements are seemingly occurring comfort against harsh winds. They begin to cover in a rapid pace that our morality cannot quite keep up; themselves up out of necessity. no such consideration was given in this approach in People of the time had also painstakingly wrought and achieving good life. hewed said figures in honor of some deity; initial roster of primitive gods includes objects they encounter through their day-to-day lives. LESSON 5: THE GOOD LIFE b) some notable conditions during common era Aristotle and How We All Aspire for a Good Life Plato Driven by their primal need to survive, humans were and Aristotle embarked on a different approach in quick to find ways to drive off other megafaunas figuring out reality. Plato thought that things in this threatening a prospective hunting spot. world are not real and are only copies of the real in the The ongoing extinction of several species—both flora world of forms. and fauna—due to human activity They began to hunt, farm, and produce things with Change is so perplexing that it can only make sense if prospect of profit. there are two realities: the world of forms and the When they could not sell products, they used their world of matter: skills and got compensated for it—bringing forth a In the world of matter, things are changing and specialized group of artisans. impermanent; Physical strength was valued at most, although there In the world of forms, the entities are only copies of appeared to be as many intellectually gifted figures just the ideal and the models, and the forms are the only real the same. entities. The Essence of Technology Aristotle forwarded the idea that there is no Modern humans are reliant on technology in their reality over and above what the senses can perceive, search for the good life. Humans are reduced into the claiming that this world is all there is to it and that this amount of productivity they are able to render during world is the only reality we can all access. their lifetime. Declares that even human beings are potentialities who aspire for their actuality  Every action that emanates from a human person is a resemble a science-fiction movie. We might as well start function of the purpose (telos) that the person has. discussing the moral framework required to steer the evolution of digital life and to finally articulate the Every human person, according to Aristotle, aspires for difference between our unique humanity and the rapidly an end. This end is happiness or human flourishing. evolving robotic versions. Claims that happiness is the be all and end all of George Orwell - author of Nineteen Eighty–Four, everything that we do warned us of a world dominated by technology and Human flourishing, a kind of contentment in knowing those who own and control it. that one is getting the best out of life Humanity will change the world in the next two Happiness as the Goal of a Good Life decades than 30 decades ago. Technology has changed all aspects of our lives, even ancient fields of study of Materialism mankind. - The first materialists were the atomists in Ancient Greece. Humanity is defined as the quality or condition of - Democritus and Leucippus belief is that the world is being human, the human nature. Human nature is the made up of and is controlled by the tiny indivisible units concept that there is a set of inherent distinguishing in the world called atomos or seeds. characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling and - For Democritus and his disciples, the world, including acting, which all humans have. human beings, is made up of matter - Only material entities matter. In terms of human Television Sets, Mobile Phones, Computers and flourishing, matter is what makes us attain happiness. Humanity Hedonism A number of technological devices can be easily found - The hedonists, for their part, see the end goal of life in inside the home, the most accessible place for anyone. acquiring pleasure. It can easily be inferred that these technological devices - Life is about obtaining and indulging in pleasure are some of the most popular and commonly used types because life is limited. of devices across all age groups. Almost all households, - The mantra of this school of thought is the famous, if not all, own these types of devices across all age “Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.” groups. To be more specific, these celebrities in the field of technology are television sets, mobile phones, and Stoicism computers. - The idea that to generate happiness, one must learn to People all over the world use these technologies distance oneself and be apathetic. every day to accomplish different purposes. First, - For the stoics, happiness can only be attained by a according to Kantar Media, one of the most trusted careful practice of apathy. television audience measurement providers in the Philippines, 92% of the urban homes and 70% of rural Theism homes own at least one television set. It is for this reason - The ultimate basis of happiness for theists is the why television remains to be the ultimate medium for communion with God. advertisement placements (Manila times 2014). - The world where we are in is only just a temporary reality where we have to maneuver around while This survey simply shows that almost all waiting for the ultimate return to the hands of God. Filipinos use this particular type of device. In fact, Filipinos are believed to have this big fascination for Humanism television. Most of the time, they watch television during their free time or any time of the day when they - The freedom of man to carve his own destiny and to have nothing important to do. In addition to this, Kantar legislate his own laws, free from the shackles of a God media also reported that in the Philippines, the current that monitors and controls. count of households with television sets already reached - Humanists see themselves not merely as stewards of 15,135 million (NODA 2012). This signifies something, the creation but as individuals who are in control of that is, television plays a great role in the lives of the themselves and the world outside them. people or in this case, Filipinos. The television is a product of different LESSON 6: WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND experiments by various people. Paul Gottlieb Nipkow, a HUMANITY CROSS German student in the late 1800s, was successful in his attempt to send images through wires with the aid of a Gerd Leonhard - He even investigated how humans rotating metal disk. This invention was to send the preserve their world that is slowly beginning to electric telescope that had 18 lines of resolution. After proved the deep-seated fascination of Filipinos to sometime in 1907, two inventors, Alan Archibald different technological devices. Campbell-Swinton, who was an English scientist, and Boris Rosing, who was a Russian scientist, had their Robotics and Humanity experiment that gave rise to two types of television Another great product of the innovative minds systems, namely, mechanical and electronic of the people is robot. Robots are now widely used. The television. international Federation of Robotics (IFR) and the UNITED NATIONS Economic Commission for Europe Second, Filipinos love to use their mobile (UNECE) made it their task to formulate working phones anywhere, anytime. They use it for different definitions for service robots. purposes other than for communication. More than half of the Filipinos own at least one mobile phone A preliminary extract of the relevant definition is (IFR, regardless of type. In 2010, global research agency 2012). Synovate conducted a survey and declared 67 percent a) A robot is an actuated mechanism programmable in product ownership in the country. In fact, it was also two or more axes with a degree of autonomy, moving claimed that mobile phones are considered a musthave within its environment, to perform intended tasks. among young Filipinos (ABS CBN News 2010). To Autonomy in this context means the ability to perform prove that Filipinos really love to use their mobile intended tasks based on the current state and sensing phones, the IPos Media Atlas Philippines Nationwide human intervention. Urban 2011-2012 survey results showed that one in b) A service robot is a robot that performs useful tasks every Filipinos cannot live without a mobile phone. for humans or equipment excluding industrial Not only this, there are some Filipinos who even own automation application. more than one mobile phone. c) A personal service robot or a service robot for personal use is a service robot used for noncommercial Mobile phones have a very interesting task, usually by laypersons. Examples are domestic background story. On April 3 1973, Martin Cooper, a servant robots, automated wheel chair, personal senior engineer at Motorola, made the world’s first mobility assist robot and pet exercising robot. mobile phone call. He called their rival d) A professional service robot or a service robot for telecommunications company and properly informed professional use is a service robot used for a commercial them that he was making a call from a mobile phone. task, usually operated by a properly trained operator. The mobile phone used by Cooper weighed 1.1 kilograms and measured 228.6X 127X 44.4 mm. This Roles Played by Robots kind of device was capable of a 30-minute talk time. However, it took 10 hours to charge. In 1983, Motorola Just like people living in society, robots also have their made their first commercial mobile phone available own set of rules and characteristics that define what a to the public. It was known as Motorola Dyna Tac good a robot is. These laws were formulated by Isaac (Goodwin 2016). Asimov in the 1940s, when he was thinking of the ethical consequences of robots. Lastly, computers and laptops have become part of many Filipino households. Just like television sets These are the following laws: and mobile phones, computers and laptops also have a Law One: A robot may not injure a human being or, long background history of trial and error. It was through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. Charles Babbage, a 19th century English Mathematician professor, who designed the Law Two: A robot must obey the orders given by analytical engine which was used as the basic human beings except where such orders would conflict framework of the computers even until the present with the First Law. time. Generally, computers can be classified into three Law Three: A robot must protect its own existence as generations. Each generation of the computer was used long as such protection does not conflict with the First for certain period of time and each gave people a new or Second Law. and improved version of the previous one (Steitz). The first true portable was released in April 1981. It was Ethical Dilemma(s) Faced by Robotics called the Osborne 1 (Orfano 2011). From that moment on, the evolution of laptops continued until the One of the ethical dilemmas faced by the robots is present time where various designs and models are safety. already available. Another ethical dilemma faced by robots is the A typical household owns at least four of the emotional component. This may be a little absurd as of following devices: a mobile phone (89%), smart phone the moment but looking at how fast technology (53%), tablet (14%), desktop (39%), laptop or net books progresses nowadays; it is not completely impossible (37%) and a smart TV (4%) (PhilStar 2013). These data for robots to develop emotions (Evans 2007). If the problems arise when the robot deviates from the laws specified, then the maker or the inventor of the machine should be blameworthy. It just means that the robot was not programmed very well because it violated the laws. Other problems may arise when the machine develops the ability to think for itself. In this case, the one that should be blamed can be the maker or the inventor and the robot itself. This is because, in the first place, the maker gave the robot the capacity to think for itself. This is so he should be very much aware of its possible consequences. In addition, since the robot thinks for itself, whatever the decision it makes and whether consequences it may bring, the robot itself should be held responsible.