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- Lesson 1 – Introduction to Science, Technology and Society This lesson intends to introduce Science, Technology, and Society (STS) as a field of study. Further, this traces the historical roots of STS as an academic field following the description of Science and Technology and discussion of the same. The significance to study STS in an age of scientific progress and technological development was brought about by the existence of ethical dilemmas as enumerated herein and discussed. Science- refers to a system and accurate activity of pattern and plan of knowledge about how the universe act through observation, experimentation or both. According to the famous American science historian, John Heilbron (2003, p. vii), Modern Science is a discovery as well as invention. He also explained that Science required invention to devise techniques, abstractions, apparatuses, and organizations to describe this natural regularities and their law-like descriptions. Technology- application of theoretical knowledge of industry and the industrial arts to produce services, materials, tools and machines aimed at solving real-world problems. It comes from the Greek root word techne , meaning art, skill or cunning of hand. As what Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, explained in December 2014 during a live public question and answer event: “A technological tool is something that takes a human’s sense or ability and augments it and makes it more powerful.” He gave as example that the wearing of contact lenses or glasses is a technology that enhances human ability of vision and makes it better. Wolpert (2005) - made an interesting comparison between science and technology that is helpful in the study of their interaction with society. He explained the possible uses and applications of such scientific knowledge. He clearly emphasized that science is not the same as technology. He further explained that the very nature of science, not to predict scientific discoveries. Scientists are responsible for the reliable conduct and honest interpretation and dissemination, technological application of science. Advancements in science and technology became pervasive. It shows in the activities that humans proceed the use of tools every day. The elegance of this is to bring things forward Humans today live more productive and full of eagerness thanbefore. With these, it is expected that the generations of children and the
children of their children have the chance to lead even better lives than of the past generation. The introduction of machines tremendously cut the need for human workforce. The invention of drugs, the rise of social media the way to communicate, interact and share information. Carl Sagan, American popular scientist quoted in Tom Head’s (2006) book: “We live in a society absolutely dependent on science and technology and yet have cleverly arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology”. That’s a clear prescription of disaster. STS seeks to bridge the gap between two traditionally exclusive cultures— humanities (interpretive) and natural sciences (rational)—so that humans will be able to better confront the moral, ethical, and existencial dilemmas brought by the continued developments in science and technology. The John J. Reilly Center for Science, Technology, and Values of the University of Notre Dame is responsible for listing the ten emerging ethical dilemmas and policy issues in science and technology every year. Below is the list of 2018: However, if some numbers given as enumerated seem unpopular to many they can be utilized in the study of Science and Technology. The enumeration is geared towards the dynamic challenges, questions, and issues that require to be satisfied and settled in the event science and technology and humanity become interrelated. Nevertheless, methods of critiquing these surfacing ethical dilemmas may come from the same methods adopted in previous critics of science and technology issues. For example, one can utilize methods applied in critiquing the rise of clinical trials of gene therapy in the 1990’s. Today’s approach in critiquing emerging science and technology issues, such as the ones listed above, may be influenced by how scientists and non-scientists evaluated the positive and negative implications of clinical trials of gene therapy in the 1990’s. For this intension one can go along to specifically draw from the concepts of history, philosophy and sociology in formulating informed and critical judgements of the ethical and moral values of this innovations of science and technology.
. Ethical Dilemmas in STS John J. Reilly Center for Science Technology and values of the University of Notre Dame is responsible for listing the ten emerging ethical dilemmas and policy issues in science and technology. Below is the list for 2018:
- Helix. A digital app store designed to help you read your genome.
- The Robot Priest. BlessU-2 and Pepper are the first robot priest and monk, respectively.
- Emotion Sensing Facial Recognition — Optimizing retail experiences by assessing your reactions. 4. Ransomware. Holding data hostage until you pay up, whether you’re an individual or a large corporation.
- The Textalyzer. A new tool in the battle against texting and driving that tells police if you were on your phone before an accident.
predict astronomical positions and eclipses for calendar and astrological considerations. The same was invented by Greek scientist between 150- 100 BC. The Antikythera mechanism is one of the most amazing mechanical devices discovered from the ancient world.
- Aeolipile – also known as Hero’s engine believed as ancient precursor of the steam engine. The Aeolipile is a steam powered engine which spun when the water container was heated. 4.2. Middle Ages II. Middle Ages Increase of new inventions, introduction of innovations in traditional production, and emergence of scientific thinking and method. The Middle Ages was not as a stagnant as alternate terms such as the ‘Medieval Period’ or ‘Dark Ages’ suggest. In fact, many medieval universities at the same time stirred scientific thinking and built infrastructures for scientific communities to flourish. 1. Heavy Plough – One of the most important technological innovations during the middle ages. Clay soil despite being more fertile than lighter types of soil, was not cultivated because of its heavy weight. Professor Thomas Bernebeck Andersen of the University of Southern Denmark succinctly describes the impact of the invention of heavy plough. The heavy plough stirred an agricultural revolution in Northern Europe marked by higher and healthier agricultural yields and more efficient agricultural practices.
- Gun Powder – Around 850 AD, Chinese alchemists accidentally invented black powder or gunpowder. Since its invention, the gunpowder has allowed for more advanced warfare. From fiery arrows to cannons and grenades, the gunpowder has prompted foundation for the functionality of almost every new weapon used in war since its invention. Its ushered in an unprecedented advancement in warfare and combat throughout the Middle Ages.
- Paper Money – the first known versions of paper money could be traced back to the Chinese in 17 th century AD as an offshoot of the invention of block printing, which is similar to stamping. Before the introduction of paper money, precious metals, such as gold and silver were used as currency. The idea of assigning value to a marked piece of paper did not immediately become popular. When the Mongol’s attempted to introduce paper money into the Middle East market in the 13 th century, it did not gain immediate success. Traders and Merchants eventually realized the huge advantage of using paper money because it was easier to transport around compared to the previous forms of currencies.
- Mechanical Clock – The development of mechanical clocks paved the way for accurately keeping track of time. The sophistication of clockwork technology of the mechanical track drastically changed the way days were spent and work patterns were established, particularly in the more advanced Middle Age cities.
- Spinning Wheel – a machine used for transforming fiber into thread or yarn and eventually woven into cloth on a loom. Although no consensus could be made regarding the origin of the spinning wheel, it is theorized that the Indians invented the spinning wheel between 6 th and 11 th century AD. According to White (1974), the invention of the spinning wheel sped up the rate at which fiber could be spun by a factor of 10 to 100 times. Thus, White argued
that this invention ushered in a breakthrough in linen production when it was introduced in Europe in 13 th century AD. They would quickly replace the more traditional method of hand spinning and were a pre- requisite to the later innovations made during the Industrial Revolution like the Spinning Jenny and spinning frame. Spinning wheels appear to have their origin in India sometime between the 5th and 10th Century AD. They would eventually reach Europe later in the Middle Ages thanks to the silk road. They would quickly replace the more traditional method of hand spinning and were a pre-requisite to the later innovations made during the Industrial Revolution like the Spinning Jenny and spinning frame. The spinning wheel can, therefore, be argued to have helped lay the foundations for the modern world - as unlikely as that might seem at first. Modern Ages A period of increased efficiency in transportation, communication and production brought about by a steady increase in world population. This is also the time when industrialization took place. 1. Compound Microscope – A Dutch spectacle maker named Zacharias Jansen is credited for the invention of the first compound microscope in 1590. Together with his father Hans, Zacharias began experimenting with lenses by putting together several lenses on a tube. This led to an amazing discovery that an object, when placed near the end of the tube, can be magnified far larger than what a simple magnifying lens can do. Today, the compound microscope is an important instrument in many scientific studies, such as in the areas of medicine, forensic studies, tissue analysis, atomic studies and genetics.
- Telescope – It was Galileo Galilei who invented the telescope, the single, most important technological invention in the study of astronomy during Modern Ages. It could magnify objects 20 times larger than the Dutch perspective glasses. It was Galileo who first used the telescope skyward and made important astronomical discoveries, and identified the presence of craters and mountains on the moon. For the first time, it became clear that the universe is far larger than previously imagined and the earth far smaller compared to the entire universe.
- Jacquard Loom – one of the most critical drivers of the revolution. Built by French weaver Joseph Marie Jacquard , the Jacquard loom simplifies textile manufacturing. Prior to the invention of the Jacquard loom, a drawloom was used which required two individuals to operate—the weaver and a “ drawboy ”—if figured designs on textile were needed. The Jacquard loom is also important antecedent of modern computer technology as it demonstrated the use of punched cards to instruct a machine to carry out complex tasks, i.e., making different textile patterns. 4. Engine – Powered Airplane – invented by the Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur , with an original flying machine patent (US patent NO. 821393) and referred to as airoplanes. The Wright Brothers were brilliant scientist who prepared the path for modern aircraft technology.
By definition, the Indigenous People’s Right Act of the Philippine (1997), also known as IPRA or RA 8371, is an act to recognize, protect and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples. The creation of a National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) was accomplished to implement mechanisms and appropriate funds for its mandated purposes. Who are the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) or the Indigenous Peoples (IPs)? These terms refer to groups of people or homogenous societies identified by self- ascription and ascription by others, who have continuously lived as organized community on communally bounded and defined territory, and who have, under claims of ownership since time immemorial, occupied, possessed and utilized such territories, sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political, social and cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and cultures, became historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos. Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) or the Indigenous Peoples (IPs), which we will use interchangeably here, shall likewise include peoples who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the populations which inhabited the country, at the time of conquest or colonization, or at the time of inroads of non-indigenous religions and cultures, or the establishment of present state boundaries, who retain some or all of their own social, economic, cultural and political institutions, but who may have been displaced from their traditional domains or who may have resettled outside their ancestral domains ; Dichotomous Categories of the IP’s of the Philippines Culturally-indigenous peoples in our country may be categorized in many ways, but usually by dichotomous; (1) highlands and lowlands; (2) Muslim and non-Muslim; and (3) Northern (mostly from Luzon) and Southern (mostly from Mindanao). Firstly, northern Philippine highlands can be grouped into the Igorot (comprising many different groups) and singular Bugkalot groups, while the non-Muslim culturally-indigenous groups of mainland Mindanao are collectively called Lumad. Australo-Melanesian groups throughout the archipelago are termed Aeta , Ita , Ati , Dumagat , among others. Numerous culturally-indigenous groups also live outside these two indigenous corridors On the other hand, the Southern Philippines, upland and lowland tribal groups are concentrated in Mindanao and Western Visayas, although there are several upland groups such as the Mangyan living in Mindoro. Among the most important groups found in Mindanao are collectively called the Lumad, and includes the Manobo which is a bigger ethnographic group such as the Ata-Manobo and the Matigsalug found in Davao City, Davao del Norte and Bukidnon Province; the Langilan- Manobo in Davao del Norte; the Agusan-Manobo in Agusan del Sur and southern parts of Agusan del Norte; the Pulanguiyon-Manobo of Bukidnon Province; the Ubo-Manobo in southwestern parts of Davao City, and northern parts of North Cotabato Province that is also to include the Arumanen-Manobo of Carmen (N. Cotabato); the Dulangan-Manobo in the Province of Sultan Kudarat; among other more Philippine tribal groups. 3.2. Indigenous Knowledge System, Science and Technology
The indigenous knowledge system is orally passed and embedded in the cultural traditions of regional or local communities. This is translated and applied in their way of life as indigenous science and technology. Indigenous science is guided by community culture and values, uses indigenous process skills, and incorporates traditional knowledge. Some examples of the practice of indigenous knowledge are ICC’s ability and own ways to (1) predict the weather and calamities, like when the goats repeatedly wail, there will be landslide (2) formulating herbal medicine by the herbolarios and tuob , (3) preserving foods, like etag , a cured and aged slab of pork, (4) classifying plants and animals, (5) choosing good seeds for planting, (6) building local irrigation, with the Banaue Rice Terraces as example of being familiar with nature’s cycle and landscape, (7) sorting different types of soil, (8) producing wines from tropical fruits, like tapey , (9) pottery, and (10) building houses on hillside. Indigenous Science and Nation-building Indigenous science helped our culturally-displaced brothers and sisters address what was lacking or excessively available in their natural environment. They have created their own indigenous science process skills to make do of what Mother Nature gave them. They are indeed historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos, but they have survived by shaping their own identity, alongside Filipino nation-building. Necessity is the mother of all inventions for most, but for our culturally-indigenous peoples, survival is the mother of their knowledge system. As some of them may have been displaced from their traditional domains, but they have successfully constructed a uniquely Filipino science and technology, which can be pride of our nation. Lesson 2 – Science, Technology, and Nation Building Science, technology, and nation building remains the focus of this lesson. It will help you to understand the role of science, technology, and society in the context of Philippine nation building. You will also learn the contributions of Filipino scientists in science and technology and the impact of these contributions to the society and on the environment. Nation building is the process whereby diverse people have unified values to develop democratic state institutions for the development and welfare of the entire society. Pre-colonial Period Even before the practices of the native Filipinos linked to Science and technology. They were already aware of the uses of medicinal plants. They were also used simple method of extracting properties of the plants. People use herbal medicine to cure diseases. The first livelihood developed skills by Filipinos during the pre-colonial period were weaving, farming, fishing, and mining. They made use of writing, measurement, numerical and calendar system to trade their products. The Banaue Rice Terraces is one of the evidences of agricultural designs by pre-Spanish era Filipinos. Spanish Colonial Period
- PNRI (Philippine Nuclear Research Institute) Formerly the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). This is under DOST to mandate and regulate the safe and peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology.
- PhilRice (Philippine Rice Research Institute) It is located at Munoz, Nueva Ecija. It aims to develop and promote the use of science and technology to ensure food security for the Filipino people.
- IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) The focus is to abolish poverty and hunger among people that depend on rice-based agri-food system and provides a sustainable rice sector’s globally.
- PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration) It provides protection against natural calamities and utilize scientific knowledge to ensure the safety, well- being and economic security of people.
- BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) This agency is responsible for the development, improvement, management, and conservation of fisheries and aquatic resources.
- DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) This agency is responsible for conservation, management, and development of the environment and natural resources. It provides protection of the environment for a sustainable development. 4.2. Former Presidents of the Philippines and their Contributions and The Filipino Scientists Knowing the different agencies mentioned above, can you think other Philippine agencies, organizations, or programs established by the former presidents of the Philippines that it pertains to science and technology? Former Presidents of the Philippines and their Contributions Presidents Contribution in Science and Technology
- Corazon “Cory” Aquino During her term, National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA) was renamed DOST. She encouraged scientists and inventors to bring again the Philippines next to Japan in the field of science and technology During the presidency of F.V. Ramos in 1987, he established the “Doctors to the Barrios” (DTTB) program. This was created to deploy
- Fidel V. Ramos doctors in the different municipalities even in far-flung areas in the Philippines for health care accessible for the Filipinos. The National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in Science and Technology was established for high school learners who wanted to pursue a career in the field of science and engineering in college. There are some laws related to science and technology was created like RA 7459: Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act; RA 8439: Magna Carta for Scientist Engineers, Researchers and other Science and Technology Personnel in the Philippine government sectors; RA 8293: The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines
- Joseph Estrada During his term, RA 8749 (The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999) and RA 8792 (Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 were signed and mandated. He implemented the cost-effective irrigation technologies and providing basic health care services for those who cannot afford.
- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Former president Gloria Arroyo encouraged farmers to use rice varieties that can withstand environmental hazards.
- Benigno Aquino, III During the presidency of B. “Noynoy” Aquino, III he named new National Scientists- Gavino C. Trono, Angel C. Alcala, Ramon C. Barba and Edgardo C. Gomez. Filipino Scientists
What are the Impacts of Science and Technology on the Environment? There are many benefits of science and technology, however when technology is not properly manage there are negative impacts not only to human health but especially on the environment. The damage of the environment are due to pollution and the depletion of natural resources. Industrial revolution has brought about new technologies such as the establishments of power stations, industrial plants, mass agriculture, technological machines and vehicles. These technologies produce pollutants that are introduced into the earth’s atmosphere. The depletion of natural resources is brought about by technological advancements. For example the exploitation of natural resources such as aluminum, magnesium, and silicon as raw materials in manufacturing computers and cellphones. Mining for fossil fuels and minerals; contamination of resources and aquifer are other types of resource depletion. What solutions can you contribute to maintain healthy a healthy environment? Module 3: SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY AND THE HUMAN CONDITION
- Lesson 1- Technology as a Way of Revealing Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) was a German philosopher who embraced the Continental tradition of philosophy. One of his famous quotes about technology represents an irony. Heidegger said, “The essence of technology is by no means anything technological.” He opposed positivism. He, therefore, believed that philosophy and the study of social sciences should not strive to measure human social life in terms of quantity (gross domestic product, net income, etc). Sociology, philosophy, and other social sciences should investigate in terms of quality. Hence, to engage in a true and correct understanding of technology, the goal should be to question and look into its (qualitative) essence. Heidegger’s key concepts revolve around ontology, or the study of “being” ( dasein in German), “forgetfulness of being” ( seinsvergessenheit ) , and “rootedness-in- soil” ( bodenstandigkeit ). His philosophical works are often described as complicated, and so a weblink to a five-minute Youtube video entitled, The Philosophy of Martin Heidegger , is cited below in the references. It is important to understand his basic concepts and his philosophy to better make use of his valuable framework. The whole philosophy of Heidegger focuses on the role of ethics and social morality in the very essence and definition of technology. In his treatise, The Question Concerning Technology , he emphasized the two definitions of technology: (1) Instrumental and (2) Anthropological. The first definition states that “technology is a means to an end”, while the second definition asserts “technology is a human activity”. In the context of the first definition ( instrumental definition ), technology is seen as a tool whose function varies according to individual goals and collective aspirations. Alternatively, for the second definition ( anthropological definition ), technology is a human activity to produce, invent, and achieve. To Heidegger, however, neither definition touches on the true essence of technology.
3.1. Technology is a Way of Revealing and Challenging Forth According to Heidegger, technology is a mode of “bringing forth” or poeisis (Greek). By bringing something forth or out of concealment, the truth (aletheia) of that something is revealed. Truth is translated as unclosedness, unconcealedness, or disclosure. In philosophy, techne (the Greek root word of technology) resembles the term episteme , which refers to the human ability to make and perform, including knowledge and understanding also. While in art, techne refers to both tangible and intangible aspects of life. The Greeks understood techne in the way that it encompasses not only craft, but other acts of the mind, and poetry. Both primitive crafts and modern technology are revealing, according to Heidegger. However, he explained that modern technology is revealing not in the sense of bringing forth. Modern technology “challenges” nature, by extracting something from it, transforming, storing, and distributing it. Modern technology is “challenging forth” because it prompts people into manipulating and enframing the earth’s natural resources with very little concern for its ecological consequences (threats to human health, food safety, etc). Challenging forth as a result of modern technology is also evident in the information age, such that greater control of information to profit from its value gives rise to concerns about privacy and the protection of human rights Enframing is, therefore, modern technology’s way of revealing and ordering (or framing). It is akin to two ways of looking at the world: calculative thinking and meditative thinking. In the former, humans put an order to nature to better understand it and exploit it. In the latter, humans allow nature to reveal itself to them without the use of force or violence. The former tends to be more commonly used. Ironically, as a consequence, humans become exploited also as an instrument of technology. This process is called destining. This destining of humans to reveal the nature carries with it the danger of misconstruction or misinterpretation. 3.2. The Dangerous Modern Technology and the Way Out of It The Dangerous Modern Technology and the Way Out of It It is the responsibility of humans to recognize how they have become exploited as instruments by the dangerous modern technology (for example, invasion of privacy and proliferation of fake news). As mere tenants on Earth, people must not allow themselves to be consumed by technology, lest they lose the essence of who they are as humans. This requires critical and reflective thinking on the use of technology. Hence, Heidegger reminded us that the worst human view to have is to regard technology as neutral and to pay homage to it without recognizing the real threat of the essence of modern technology (enframing and designing). As we quoted earlier from Heidegger, the essence of technology is not neutral, and by no means anything technological. The way out of enframing is the art (techne or poetry). Art is the saving power, said Heidegger, because it is an act of mind which had great power over the truth. Art encourages us to think less from a calculative standpoint. It inspires meditative thinking. Humans need to re-assess who they were, are, and will, in the grand scheme of things. Heidegger emphasized the importance of questioning. It is only through questioning that we are able to re-assess our positions in the midst of technology.
