Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society

Definition and Scope of Science, Technology, and Society

  • Science, Technology, and Society (STS): An interdisciplinary discipline that analyzes the conditions under which scientific knowledge and technical systems are produced, distributed, and used. It also examines the effects of these activities on various groups of people.

  • Foundations of Study: The subject techniques of analysis are influenced by:

    • Science and technology history and philosophy.

    • Sociology and anthropology.

    • Policy studies.

    • Cultural and literate studies.

  • Science: Defined as the human endeavor to comprehend the natural world. This pursuit can occur with or without regard for practical applications. Its primary goals are:

    • Finding facts and identifying relationships.

    • Developing theories to explain facts and interactions.

  • Technology: The attempt by humans to affect the world by developing things that benefit people.

    • Difference from Science: Science investigates to learn, whereas technology investigates to create something valuable from that information.

    • Symbiosis: Without technology, certain scientific experiments would be impossible to conduct.

  • Society: The sum total of human interactions, including those performed to solve problems or produce goods. Characteristics include:

    • A significant social group sharing the same physical or social territory.

    • Being subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations.

    • A collection of persons engaged in sustained social interaction.

Historical Antecedents and Prehistoric Eras

  • Historical Antecedents: Social considerations that have historically changed the trajectory of science and technology development.

  • The Middle Ages (Medieval Era): A period lasting nearly a thousand years from the 5th5^{th} to the 15th15^{th} centuries CE. It is regarded as the transitional period between classical antiquity and the modern era.

  • Prehistoric Periodization: Divided into three distinct ages:

    • Stone Age: Subdivided into Old Stone Age, Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), and Neolithic (New Stone Age).

    • Bronze Age.

    • Iron Age.

  • Old Stone Age: Humans lived in cave shelters, used simple stone and bone tools, and used regulated fire for cooking prey.

  • Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age): Humans utilized small, polished stone tools, occasionally crafted with points for use as spears or arrows. Societies typically lived near bodies of water.

  • Neolithic Age (New Stone Age): Ancient humans transitioned from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to agriculture and food production.

  • Bronze Age: Marked the beginning of armor fabrication, metalworking, textile production, and pottery.

    • Technological advances included the discovery of bronze (an alloy of copper and tin).

    • Developments in construction and art occurred, alongside the invention of the potter's wheel and flourishing textiles.

  • Iron Age: The birth of the blacksmith occurred as humanity discovered techniques to heat and push iron.

    • Iron weapons were more powerful than bronze ones.

    • Water systems were established during this period.

  • Early Historical Period: Began with the emergence of writing systems, written documentation, and alphabets.

Contributions of Ancient Civilizations

  • Sumerian Civilization (noted as Samurian):

    • Agriculture was the principal source of subsistence.

    • Built dikes and canals to create irrigation systems for flood control.

    • Constructed large buildings using sand-dried clay bricks.

    • Inventions for trade and farming: The wheel, the sail, and the plow.

    • Mathematics: Introduced a 360360-day calendar and the sanctuary system.

  • Babylonian Civilization:

    • Built earthen dikes and dug canals for crop irrigation and livestock water.

    • Babylonian astronomers recorded lists of planets and stars after adopting the Sumerian system.

  • Egyptian Civilization:

    • Dependent on the Nile River for agricultural operations.

    • Used metals for tools, weaponry, and agricultural implements.

    • Constructed massive pyramids.

    • Developed a 365365-day calendar.

  • Greek Civilization:

    • Arose around January (per transcript).

    • Notable figures whose work serves as the pillar of Western civilization: Thales, Socrates, Hippocrates, Aristotle, Archimedes, and Plotome.

  • Roman Civilization:

    • Established infrastructure networks and built highways connecting Rome to other parts of Italy.

    • Built large permanent structures including the dome and the coliseum.

  • Chinese Civilization:

    • Inventions: The plow and the lunar calendar.

    • Medical: First recorded use of acupuncture by doctors.

    • Astronomy: Capability to record solar eclipses.

    • Energy: Used natural gas to illuminate homes.

    • Writing materials: Utilized bamboo strips or bark paper.

    • Geophysics: Invented the earthquake weather clock.

Intellectual Revolutions in Science

  • The Copernican Revolution:

    • Geocentric Model: Introduced by Ptolemy in the 6th6^{th} century; stated the Earth was the center of the universe.

    • Heliocentric Theory: Proposed by Copernicus (an astronomer), stating that planets revolve around the Sun. This contradicted the established geocentric belief.

    • Impact: Influenced conceptual changes in cosmology, religion, physics, and philosophy.

  • The Iranian Revolution (regarding Indarmenian):

    • Indarmenian (Darwin): Formulated On the Origin of Species in 18591859, presenting evidence of evolution.

    • The Descent of Man (18711871): Introduced the idea of organic life relying on evolutionary thinking.

    • Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection: Organisms change over time due to heritable physical or behavioral traits. Changes allowing better adaptation lead to survival and more offspring.

    • Two Main Points:

      1. All life on Earth is connected and related.

      2. Diversity of life resulted from modifications in populations driven by natural selection or "survival of the fittest."

  • The Frodean Revolution:

    • Freudian (Freud): Founded psychoanalysis.

    • Theory of Personality: Described the brain as segmented into compartments. Developed an observational method to study human inner life.

    • Focus: Human sexuality and the "evil nature of man."

    • Psychological Components: Id, Ego, Superego; Conscious, Preconscious, and Unconscious.

    • Impact: Influenced literature, visual art, and music.

  • The Information Revolution:

    • Evolution of Writing: Started with Sumerian pictographs (earliest writing system).

    • Printing: Invention of the Gutenberg printing press in 14551455.

    • Technological Mergers: Combined use of the typewriter and telegraph.

    • Digital Age: Also known as the Computer Age. Technologies like the internet make it easier to communicate, disseminate, and store information.

Science, Technology, and Nation Building

  • The Philippine Government Science and Technology Agenda:

    • Technology aims to improve human capabilities and turn impossible tasks into possible life-changing matters.

    • Key Sectors: Production, Identification, Health, Consuming needs, Education, and Transportation.

  • Developmental Context:

    • The Philippines is a developing country with steady population growth and economic challenges.

    • Significant resources are allocated to alleviate problems like poverty and exclusion.

    • S&T development is considered an imperative for socio-economic progress.

  • Science Education in the Philippines:

    • Curriculum for Grades 1−101-10 envisions scientifically and technologically literate, productive members of society.

    • Focuses on real-world knowledge, methods of inquiry, effective communication, and interpersonal lifelong learning skills.

Philosophical Perspectives on Human Flourishing

  • Eudaimonia: A Greek term combining "good" and "spirit."

    • Aristotle's View: Human flourishing requires a life with other people. Virtues are acquired through practice.

    • Definition of Happiness: The pursuit of becoming a better person; the end of all actions performed for its own sake.

    • Components of Flourishing: Promises, friendship, wealth, and power.

  • Definitions of Happiness by Field:

    • Psychology: A mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by pleasant emotions from contentment to joy.

    • Behaviorism: A cocktail of emotions experienced when doing something positive.

    • Neurology: The experience of a flood of hormones released as a reward for behavior that prolongs survival.

    • Hinduism: The polar opposite of suffering; the presence of happiness indicates the absence of pain. Purpose of life is to maximize happiness and minimize misery.

Human Progress and Global Development

  • Human Flourishing as Development: An act or exertion a person performs to reach a desired way of living/self-actualization within a community.

  • Jason Hickel's Perspective: An anthropologist who suggested that instead of developing poor countries, we should "de-develop" rich countries by slowing their consumption so poor nations can catch up.

  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):

    • A collection of 1717 interlinked global goals designed as a blueprint for a sustainable future.

    • The 1717 Goals: No poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions, and partnerships for the goals.

    • Primary Objective: Eradicate poverty by the year 20302030 using growth as the main strategy.