Introduction to Science, Technology and Society

Foundations of Science and Technology

Science is derived from the Latin word Scientia, which means knowledge. It is defined as a systematic and methodological activity of building and organizing knowledge about how the universe behaves through observation, experimentation, or a combination of both. John Heilbron, a historian of science who lived from $1934$ to $2003$, characterized modern science as both a discovery and an invention. Science serves as the system of knowledge of the natural world gained by the scientific method and is often referred to as the philosophy of the natural world by philosophers of nature. The primary goal is to understand the natural world, starting with the ability to name and classify the objects found in nature.

Technology originates from the Greek words tekhne, meaning art or craft, and logia, meaning subject or interest. It involves the practical applications of what is known about nature using scientific principles for the betterment of the human situation. In $2014$, Mark Zuckerberg defined a technological tool as something that takes a human’s sense or ability, augments it, and makes it more powerful. While science and technology are often linked, Lewis Wolpert ($1929$ to $2021$) argued that reliable scientific knowledge has no ethics and values on its own, as its purpose is simply to study the universe and nature. In contrast, technology is influenced by many external factors. Scientific inquiry is the domain of scientists, whereas technology is the application of that inquiry.

Dimensions and Categorizations of Technology

Technology is not limited to physical products but encompasses four distinct dimensions. Artifacts or Hardware refer to products fabricated by humans to meet specific needs, such as tools, machines, or implements. Knowledge and Methods constitute a system of implicit and explicit knowledge, techniques, and materials utilized in using, making, or repairing artifacts. Technology is also a human cultural activity or profession, exemplified by the work of military or civil engineers, crafters, and machinists. Finally, it is a total societal enterprise, involving research and development (R&D), invention, patronage, mass production, and mass consumption, often referred to as technological know-how.

The Societal Impact and Drawbacks of Science and Technology

Science and technology play a vital role in daily life, from the alarm clocks used to wake up in the morning to the lights turned off at night. Advances in these fields provide the pleasures available for purchase and allow tasks to be completed in a short amount of time. Jacque Fresco noted that the intelligent use of science and technology are the tools with which to achieve a new direction. However, science and technology serve a double-edged function. The introduction of machines, the invention of drugs, and the rise of social media present significant challenges.

Carl Sagan, an American astronomer and planetary scientist, highlighted a significant risk: the dependence on a system that almost no one understands. He stated that living in a society absolutely dependent on science and technology, while arranging things so that almost no one understands them, is a clear prescription for disaster. This situation creates a critical need for better science education and public engagement to mitigate potential risks such as over-dependence and the lack of informed decision-making.

Ethical Dilemmas and Policy Issues

The John J. Reilly Center for Science, Technology, and Values at the University of Notre Dame, in collaboration with Dr. Jessica Boron and Dr. John J. Reilly, identified several ethical dilemmas in science and technology. The $2018$ Reilly Top $10$ list includes Helix, designed to help individuals read their genomes; Bless U-2 and Pepper, the first robot priest and monk; and emotion-sensing facial recognition used to optimize retail experiences. Other issues include Ransomware, which holds data hostage for payment; Textalyzer, a tool to analyze if a driver used a phone during an accident; and China’s Social Credit System, which uses constant surveillance of citizens. The list also features Google Clips, a camera that captures picturesque moments throughout the day; sentencing software used by courts; Friendbot, which stores a deceased person’s digital footprints for continued interaction; and the Citizen App, which notifies users of ongoing crimes.

Additional ethical dilemmas identified between $2020$ and $2021$ include the pseudoscience of skincare, the use of artificial intelligence and gamification in hiring processes, and the existence of predatory journals. Concerns also arise regarding robot abuse, the accessibility of telemedicine (Telemedicine—For Some), the creation of deep fakes, and the broader societal impacts of Facebook.

The Academic Field of Science, Technology, and Society

Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is a relatively young field of study that combines older, independent disciplines such as the history of science, the philosophy of science, and the sociology of science. According to the Kennedy School ($2018$), the field emerged as an academic discipline during the interwar and Cold War periods. It focuses on the interconnection of scientific knowledge, technological systems, and society, preparing students to respond critically and proactively to modern challenges. As an interdisciplinary field, STS bridges the humanities and natural sciences, helping society confront moral, ethical, and existential dilemmas.

The relationship between these three areas is cyclical and interconnected. Science informs technology, and technology demands more science. Technology makes life easier for society, and society, in turn, demands more science to solve new problems. Society benefits from technology and also informs its development. In summary, science provides knowledge, technology applies that knowledge for specific goals, and society uses those applications while creating needs that drive further development.

STS in the Philippines and Educational Importance

In the Philippines, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order $20$ of $2013$ identifies STS as an interdisciplinary course. It engages students to confront the realities of science and technology in society, considering socio-political, cultural, economic, and philosophical underpinnings. The goal is to instill reflective knowledge so students can live "the good life" and exhibit ethical decision-making in the face of scientific and social dilemmas.

Studying STS is important on several levels. Personally, it provides interdisciplinary education relevant to every field of study. Academically, it offers a scholarly study of the dynamic nature of science and technology. On an activist level, STS involves current issues covering a broad social spectrum, focusing on social change, justice, and equity. Examples of activist STS focuses include nuclear power, toxic waste management, healthcare, and climate change action.

Human Identity and the Technosphere

There are two primary ways to define the human species in the context of STS. Homo sapiens refers to primates who think, where "Homo" is Latin for human and "sapiens" means wise or astute. Homo faber represents the idea of primates who make things, suggesting that creativity is an inherent human trait that leads individuals to create tools to control their environment. This duality poses the question of what it truly means to be human in a technological world.

The environment modified or made by humans is known as the technosphere or anthroposphere. This includes roads, railways, airports, mines, quarries, oil and gas fields, cities, engineered rivers, and reservoirs. A reservoir is defined as a large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply. The technosphere represents the physical manifestation of how society and technology have reshaped the natural world over time.