Science, Technology, and Society: Introduction and Historical Antecedents

Flashcards covering key definitions, ethical dilemmas in S&T, and historical antecedents of science and technology from ancient times to modern Filipino inventions.

What is the Latin origin and definition of the word 'science' as presented in the lecture?

Science comes from the Latin word 'scientia,' meaning knowledge, and refers to a systematic and methodical activity of building and organizing knowledge about how the universe behaves through observation, experimentation, or both.

How did John Heilbron (2003) characterize modern science?

John Heilbron described modern science by stating, 'Modern science is a discovery as well as an invention.'

What is the Greek origin and definition of 'technology'?

Technology comes from the Greek word 'techne,' meaning art, skill, or cunning of hand. It is the application of scientific knowledge, laws, and principles to produce services, materials, tools, and machines aimed at solving real-world problems.

According to Mark Zuckerberg (2014), how is a technological tool defined?

A technological tool is defined as something that takes a human's sense or ability and augments it to make it more powerful, such as contact lenses or glasses enhancing vision.

According to Wolpert's 1998 Medawar Lecture ('Is Science Dangerous?'), what is the division of responsibility between scientists and technology?

Scientists are responsible for the reliable conduct of scientific inquiry, but they are NOT responsible for the application of knowledge in technology, which is influenced by sectors such as politics, governance, religion, and business.

Why did Carl Sagan state that society's arrangement regarding science and technology is a 'prescription for disaster'?

Carl Sagan stated this because we live in a society absolutely dependent on science and technology, yet almost no one understands science and technology.

What fields of study combine to form Science, Technology, and Society (STS)?

STS is a combination of the history of science, philosophy of science, and sociology of science.

According to Harvard University's Kennedy School (2018), when did STS trace its roots as an academic field?

STS traces its roots from the interwar period and the start of the Cold War.

What two traditionally exclusive cultures does Science, Technology, and Society (STS) seek to bridge?

STS seeks to bridge the gap between humanities (interpretive) and natural sciences (rational).

Which organization annually publishes a list of Ten Emerging Ethical Dilemmas and Policy Issues in Science and Technology?

The John J. Reilley Center for Science, Technology and Values from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.

What is HELIX in the context of the 2018 emerging ethical dilemmas in Science and Technology?

HELIX is a digital app store designed to read genomes.

What are BlessU-2 and Pepper as identified in the 2018 list of emerging ethical dilemmas?

BlessU-2 and Pepper are the first robot priest and monk.

What is Emotion-Sensing Facial Recognition technology designed to do?

It is a software being developed to assess human reactions to anything, such as shopping and playing games.

What is ransomware, and what statistics did Malwarebytes report regarding its impact on SMBs over a 12-month period?

Ransomware is a way of holding data hostage through hacking and requiring a ransom to be paid. Malwarebytes reported that 22% of organizations had to cease operations immediately, 81% experienced a cyberattack, 66% suffered a data breach, and 35% were victims of ransomware.

What is the purpose of the Textalyzer device?

Textalyzer is a device that analyzes whether a driver was using his/her phone during an accident.

How is the Social Credit System defined among emerging ethical dilemmas?

It is a system of scoring citizens through their actions by placing them under constant surveillance.

What is Google Clips?

Google Clips is a hands-free camera that lets the user capture every moment effortlessly.

What is sentencing software as an ethical dilemma in S&T?

Sentencing software is a mysterious algorithm designed to aid courts in sentencing decisions.

What does the Friendbot app do?

Friendbot is an app that stores a deceased person's digital footprint so one can still 'chat' with them.

What is the primary function of the Citizen app?

Citizen app is an app that notifies users of ongoing crimes or major events in a specific area.

To whom is the ancient wheel credited, and what was its original form before being used in carts?

The ancient wheel is credited to the Sumerians. It originated as the potter's wheel—a heavy flat disk made of hardened clay—and was used in carts 1000 to 1500 years later.

What material did ancient Egyptians use to create paper, and what were its main properties?

Ancient Egyptians made paper from the pith of Cyperus paperus. It was lightweight, strong, durable, and portable.

What is a Shadoof (or Shaduf), and what concept did it introduce?

A Shadoof is a hand-operated device used by Egyptians to irrigate land by lifting water, introducing the idea of lifting things using counterweights.

What is the Antikythera Mechanism, where was it discovered, and what was its purpose?

Discovered in 1902 in Antikythera, Greece, it is the ancient world's analog computer orrery used to display celestial time and predict astronomical positions and eclipses for calendar and astrological purposes.

What is the Aeolipile, who created it, and what is its significance?

Also known as Hero's engine, created by Hero of Alexandria, the Aeolipile is a steam-powered turbine recognized as the first rudimentary steam engine and one of the 'temple wonders.'

How did the heavy plough impact European agriculture during the Middle Ages?

The heavy plough enabled farmers to harness heavy, fatty, and moist clay soils, turning European agriculture and economy on its head by yielding the greatest crop harvests.

Who accidentally discovered gunpowder, and what weapons were created as a result?

Chinese alchemists accidentally discovered black powder or gunpowder, leading to advanced warfare tools such as fiery arrows, cannons, and grenades.

Why was paper money invented during the Middle Ages?

Paper money developed as an offshoot of block printing to replace heavy gold and silver currency for ease of transport, though it was not successful at first.

How did the mechanical clock affect daily life during the Middle Ages?

Clockwork technology provided accurate keeping track of time, changing the way days were spent and establishing structured work patterns.

To whom is the spinning wheel credited, and what breakthrough did it bring to Europe?

The spinning wheel is credited to Indians around the 6th and 11th Century. It transformed fiber into thread or yarn faster than tedious hand spinning, ushering in a breakthrough in European linen production.

Who invented the compound microscope in 1590, and what was its design?

Zacharias Janssen invented the compound microscope in 1590, consisting of several lenses placed on a tube.

What discoveries did Galileo Galilei make using the telescope?

Galileo Galilei made astronomical discoveries such as craters and mountains on the moon, proving that the universe is far larger than previously imagined.

Who invented the Jacquard Loom in 1801, and why is it considered an antecedent of computer technology?

Joseph Marie Jacquard invented the Jacquard Loom. It simplified textile manufacturing by replacing drawboys with a series of cards with punched holes, making it an antecedent of computer technology.

Who invented the first engine-powered aircraft, and what was its patent number?

Orville and Wilbur Wright invented the first engine-powered aircraft, securing US Patent #821393 (Flying Machine Patent).

Who demonstrated the television in 1924, and why was it criticized?

Scottish Engineer John Logie Baird demonstrated the television. It was criticized for fuzzy and flickering images because it was mechanical rather than electronic.

What benefits does the Electronic Jeepney offer in the Philippines?

The Electronic Jeepney eliminates air and noise pollution and is economical because electricity is much cheaper than diesel.

Who discovered the antibiotic Erythromycin, and from what organism was it derived?

Ilonggo scientist Abelardo Aguilar discovered Erythromycin out of a strain of the bacterium Streptomyces erythreus while working for US employer Elli Lilli Co. (which did not credit him).

How was the medical incubator designed by Dr. Fe del Mundo constructed?

The incubator consisted of two native laundry baskets of different sizes placed one inside the other, heated by hot water bottles around the baskets, and covered with a makeshift hood for oxygen circulation.

Who invented the non-surgical mole remover in 2000, and what was its main ingredient?

Rolando dela Cruz invented the mole remover using extracts of cashew nuts (Annacardium occidentale) to remove moles and warts non-surgically.

Who invented banana ketchup, and why was it created?

Maria Orosa invented banana ketchup during World War II due to a huge shortage of tomatoes. It was made of mashed banana, sugar, vinegar, and spices, and dyed red to resemble tomato ketchup.