NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Cabanatuan City
ISO 9001:2015 Certified
College of Arts and Sciences
Mathematics and Science Department

Module in

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
& SOCIETY
UNIT IV.
HUMAN FLOURISHING

Danny O. Alfonso Cristo Mark D. Ancheta Roel S. Ang

Leonardo M. Aquino Bryan Joshua V. Bacani Joseph R. Del Carmen
Jaynelle G. Domingo Angel Joyce C. Fajardo Gian Carlo S. Gaetos
Alpha B. Gumayagay Jewell Ann P. Manabat Darwin U. Ong
Olympia O. Riogelon Julius Jay N. Rodriguez Janina C. Sercenia
Glenda R. Tandingan Diwata Y. Villaflor

This module is a property of the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
Overview

This unit gives you an idea of how humans can flourish, what is Human Flourishing from a different
point of view, how to flourish, and the impact of technology in humans. This will help you analyze the
difference between human flourishing in philosophers' views and the modern world concept. You will also
identify the negative and positive effects of technology and how it affects humans. This chapter will reflect
your life in self-actualization. So that you will know your role in society as a student and as a human as
well. Also, you will be able to deeply understand your needs (emotional aspect; strength and weakness)
and how you will overcome it.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. define flourishing in philosopher point of view and modern world concept;
2. familiarize with the two Greek philosophers and their opinion on virtue;
3. appreciate the application of technology and its relation to human flourishing; and
4. explain the connection of human flouring to science and technology
Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________

Directions: “The true secret of happiness lies in the taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life”.
This is one of the best quotes that define happiness by William Morris. Have you asked yourself if you are
happy? With this, answer the following questions by writing on the space provided.

1. What is your own definition of happiness?

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2. When is the last time you feel happy and how did you feel it?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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3. Give a situation in your life that you feel down/miserable and what did you do to overcome it?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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4. What makes you happy?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Lesson Proper

Human Flourishing

According to Aristotle, Human is defined as a rational animal because they can think and use reason
consistently. The way human beings do things is by making rational choices that take specific actions or
scientific investigations that are mostly in-line in their personal preferences. Hence, a human being is a
person who makes up society and is responsible for the research and innovations currently being used and
existing today. Understanding the behavior of humans (strength and weakness), their nature, values,
norms, needs (material or spiritual), and how to cater to these is an essential tool to live a flourishing life.

A. Human Flourishing: Based on Ancient Greek Philosophers’ Perspective.

Flourishing. It is a state where people experience positive emotions and positive social
functioning (. Is a descriptor and a measure of positive mental health in life well-being (the state of being
happy, healthy or prosperous).

How to live a flourishing life?

Two of the most recognized Greek Philosophers that tries to answer the question. PLATO and
ARISTOTLE. These great philosophers called flourishing life as “EUDAIMONIA”; it is usually
associated with HAPPINESS. For them, happiness is the result of eudaimonia or human flourishing.

PLATO’S interpretation of “Human Flourishing”

PLATO (428/427 – 348/347 B.C.). For him, “all human beings naturally desire eudaimonia or
human flourishing”. To be flourish, Plato believed that one must have moral thought and virtuous
action. (VIRTUE – trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good). The well-being of a human
individual must NOT depend on external goods (such as fame, wealth, good appearance). To live just
for the sake of these external goods will not lead to flourishing.

If having a VIRTUE is needed in order to FLOURISH, How does one develop virtue?
According to Plato, Human being can develop virtue by the following:
1. By examining things and thinking more
2. By masterly using reason
3. By living the Four Cardinal Virtues (Wisdom, Courage, Temperance, Justice)

By examining things and thinking more

Plato believed that humans can reason and must use it to become wiser to flourish. He said
that human being who does not examine his or her life and surroundings would not flourish.

By masterly using reason

According to Plato, using reason over desires makes human to be good. Reasoning allows the
control of oneself, and limiting one’s reason may result in negative consequences. A human can
flourish if he or she can control itself through reason and act for the common good.

By living the four cardinal virtues

Wisdom: The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement; the quality of
being wise. One must pursue learning based on curiosity, which leads to more efficacy and self-
mastery, which are needed to have a fulfilling life.

Courage: It is important to have courage in society today; it is needed to face life’s challenges
because JUSTICE needs courageous individuals to stand for what is right and to correct what is
wrong.

Temperance: According to Joel (2011), it is defined as moderation or voluntary self-restraint.

Plato believed that having temperance prevents corruption and chaos. It is important in the society
because a human without temperance will not flourish since lack of self-restraint can lead to vices
and violence.
 ARISTOTLE’S interpretation of “Human Flourishing”.
ARISTOTLE (384-322 B.C.) He explained that eudaimonia or human flourishing is the highest
good of human beings. Zey (2001) introduced the Rational Choice Theory, which is used to model
human decision making. It explains the behavior of human being in order to satisfy human needs.

What are the aspects of Human Nature?

There are four aspects of Human nature according to Aristotle.
1. Physical
2. Emotional
3. Social
4. Rational

Humans are Physical Being. For humans, to keep their body physically and mentally
functioning, they need air, water, food rest, and exercise.

Humans are Emotional Being. Humans are the highest forms of animals. Like any other
animals, humans have needs, desires, and wants. Humans have emotional needs to express different
emotions in such reaction.

Humans are Social Being. The feeling of satisfaction, flourishing, or well-being can be
experienced when learning to socialized. As social beings, it is inherent that humans need
friendship, companions, cooperation, and a sense of belongingness in society.

Humans are Rational Being. As Aristotle said, a human is defined as a rational animal because
they can think and use reason consistently. Rationality is what differentiates humans from other
animals. It allows human to express, be creative, or obey reason.

How does human become more virtuous?

For Aristotle, a virtue is a character trait that enables a person to flourish. Just like Plato,
Aristotle believed that humans, through reason, seek knowledge about the world. He also believed
that by gaining knowledge, humans would flourish. He called it “INTELLECTUAL
VIRTUE” (According to King (2014), intellectual virtue is an excellent personal trait or character
strength that is deemed to be morally good for thinking and learning and is often associated with
knowledge and cognitive ability.) Aristotle made an important distinction between knowledge and
human flourishing.

2 Types of Knowledge:

1. Theoretical knowledge. This type of knowledge is about the nature of the principle. It allows
us to manipulate nature; however, without practical knowledge, it cannot be done.

2. Practical knowledge. This is the knowledge of applying principles. Thus, knowledge is very
important in life, but it is the application of this knowledge that leads to flourishing.

Aside from intellectual virtue, the other virtue in life is the virtue of character. Aristotle
believed that to flourish, one must possess the 11 virtuous traits. (Courage, temperance, liberality,
magnificence, magnanimity, patience, truthfulness, wittiness, friendliness, justice, and Shame). In
addition, Aristotle stated that all virtues are connected by PHRONESIS or “PRACTICAL
WISDOM”. It enables an individual to apply the appropriate virtue in each situation. A virtuous life
can be attained through education and habit. In summary, when an individual
possesses INTELLECTUAL VIRTUE and VIRTUES OF CHARACTER, he or she will
attain EUDAIMONIA or HUMAN FLOURISHING.

B. Human Flourishing: A Modern World Concept

In Psychology, Human Flourishing has different components: happiness, life satisfaction, mental
and virtue, close social relationship, and financial and material stability.

1. Flourishing is intrinsically worthwhile

 It contrasts with the Greek Philosopher’s point of view that human flourishing is a means to
an end goal, happiness. Flourishing is naturally good and is worth striving for. Therefore, it is
intrinsically worthwhile.

2. The actualization of the human potential

When an individual uses his or her potentials and capabilities it is called human flourishing.
The level of flourishing for every individual will cannot be compared because every individual has
different potential and encounter different opportunities.

Criteria for Human Flourishing

a. Life as a whole. In studying an individual’s flourishing, it is needed to understand his or her

nature as a whole person/life, which means it is important to study not only some parts of an
individuals life but its totality as a human as a well.

b. Human flourishing is a dynamic state. Human flourishing is self-motivated. It requires a

developmental process/progress to portray human potential. To become a flourishing human
being, one must continuously develop or endlessly growing.

c. Objective good. Everyone needs to be flourish. There are things that are good and otherwise bad
for everybody. Good things or objective goods such as good social relationships, positive
emotions and purpose, and so on, if developed, will contribute to having a flourishing life.

C. The Human Person Flourishing in Terms of Science and Technology

Now that you have an idea and a good perspective about human flourishing. What do you think is
the role of Science and Technology in Human Flourishing?

Role of Science and Technology in Human Flourishing

Remember, Aristotle said that humans flourish by gaining new knowledge. He called it
“intellectual virtue.” He also distinguished theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge. On the
other hand, Science is a systematic body of knowledge that seeks to explain life and the world.

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY
-Comparable to theoretical -Comparable to practical
knowledge. knowledge
-Explains the nature or -Applies the theoretical
principles behind an object, knowledge in order to have
event or phenomenon. an output.

Elucidating the importance of science and technology to human being, scientific and
technological discoveries allow humanity to gain intellectual virtues. For example, through science,
the antibiotic nature of Penicillium notatum was discovered. But through technology, the penicillin
medicine was developed and provided a cure to many diseases.

Alvin Tofler is an American writer and futurologist who focused his writings on technology
expansion and its impact on society (Zakaria, 2012). Advancement in Science and Technology
provides a positive impact on human life such as the following:

- made work easier, efficient or practical

- made people happy or entertained
- kept people healthy and safe
- helped to address social issues and concerns
- helped in the development of human talent and abilities

Having an advantage, science and technology can be exploited that results to negative impact
or serious disadvantages. As a result, technological developments made possible industrialization
 which made humans become machine-like workers. It also caused pollution that causes diseases
that causes life loss. Technologies such as nuclear weapons also cause extermination.

To help you understand the lesson, read the article by Connolly and Miller, “is Human
Flourishing in the ICT World of the Future likely? (Optional)

D. Technology as a Way of Revealing

For this topic try to read the essay by Martin Heidegger: The Question Concerning Technology.
(Optional)

http://monoskop.org/images/4/44/Heidegger_Martin_The_Question_Concerning_Technology_and_O
ther Essays.pdf

Martin Heidegger (1889-1976). It is one of the most original and important philosophers in the 20th
century. In his essay, he suggested how humans establish a “free relationship” with technology. Heidegger
focused on orientation to technology, not on the form or function.

How do we generally think about technology?

For Heidegger, First, technology is a means to an end. It refers to the instrumental
definition of technology. And secondly, technology is a human activity that refers to the
anthropological definition. These two definitions of Heidegger are correct; however, limiting the
understanding of human relationships with technology. Heidegger discussed the concepts of
causality to fully understand what is meant by “technology as a means to an end.”

There are four causes of causality/connection.

1. Causa materialis. It refers to the material used to form an object.
2. Causa formalis. It refers to the form or shape.
3. Causa finalis. It refers to an end.
4. Causa efficiens. It refers to which brings about the effect

“CAUSA,” Latin word means “that which brings about.” Furthermore, Heidegger preferably
uses the Greek word “aition,” which means “that which is responsible for something else.” And that
leads him to use the terms hyle, eidos, telos, and logos as a replacement to the four causes. Heidegger
termed technology as a kind of poesis, a way of bringing forth or revealing referred to as – “the
realm of truth.” Technology came from the Greek word “technikon” that is related to techne.
Heidegger made two points about techne. It refers to both manufacturing and to the arts. It is usually
part of poesis. Techne is a kind of knowing. It may refer to “expertise” or “know-how.” In a sense,
technology is not in the instrumental production of good or manipulation of materials, but rather in
“revealing.” Heidegger differentiates older forms of technology and modern form of technology. He
said that modern technology has a different kind of revealing, and it is challenging. Old windmills,
for instance, draw energy from the wind but do not extract and store energy, unlike modern
technology.

To understand more of modern technology as revealing differently. Heidegger introduced

the idea of “standing reserve.” He explained that technology transforms the world into a standing
reserve. It is said that “nothing in the world is good in and of itself, but only good for something. An
airplane, for instance, has no good or value in and of itself, but it is good for humanity as a mode of
transportation. It can be disposed of, leaving it with no value its disposal by humanity depends on
its goodness. Humans can become standing reserves of technology. Since humans are responsible
for technological advances, humans will never completely become as standing reserves. In the same
way, nature and nature's mode of revealing will never completely become under human control.

Despite humans having now the capacity to destroy nature, the natural world reveals itself
to humans on their terms. Example: Humans cannot directly control the formation of coal deposits
or accumulate nitrogen in the soil. They can only control the way humans orient themselves to their
thinking and actions, with such resources. Humans manage to think of technology as an instrument,
a means of getting things done.
References

Green, Joel (2011). Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic. P.768 ISBN 978-
0-8010-3406-0.
King, N. (2014). What are intellectual virtues. The Table. Bible University. Center for Christian thought.
Mental health Foundation of New Zealand, Flourishing, Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing: How can they
be increase
Zakaria W.F.A.W. (2012). Alvin Tofler: Knowledge and Change in Future Society. International Journal of
Islamic Thought. 1: 54-61.
Zey, M.A (2001). Rational Choice and Organization Theory. International Encyclopedia of the Social and
Behavioral Sciences. DOI.10.1016/BO-08-043076-7/04212-1.
http://frontleraners.com/blended/2020/june/23.
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/sep/23/developing-poor-
countries-de-develop-rich-countries-sdgs.
http://monoskop.org/images/4/44/Heidegger_Martin_The_Question_Concerning_Technology_and_Other
Essays.pdf
http://www.researchgate.net.PDF web results is human flourishing in the ict world of the future likely?-
ResearGate.
www.keepinspiring.me/quotes-about-happiness/
Assessing Learning

Activity 11
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Identify the terms or names being defined or identified by the given statements. Write your
answer on the space provided before each number. ANY form of ERASURE/ALTERATION will be
considered wrong.
___________________________1. He defined human as a rational animal because they can think and use reason

consistently.
___________________________2. Is a state where people experience positive emotions and positive social
functioning.
___________________________3. A trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good.
___________________________4.
According to Plato human beings can develop virtue by
___________________________5. means of?
___________________________6.
___________________________7. When an individual possesses intellectual virtue and virtues of character, then,
he or she will attain ___________________.
___________________________8.
___________________________9. Give three (3) words that is associated with Happiness.
__________________________10.
 Activity 12
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Read the article by Jason Hickel and answer the questions.
“Forget’ developing’ poor countries’, it’s time to’ develop’ rich countries’”
By: Jason Hickel

Questions:

1. The article criticized the use of growth as the main strategy for the eradication of poverty. Why is
that so?
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_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Based from the article, why do we need to de-develop rich countries? Do you agree?
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3. What is the connection of the article to human flourishing and the progress of science and
technology?
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 Activity 13
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Read the following question and answer it precisely. (This could show how will you reflect the
role of science and technology in human flourishing). Reflection Paper

What part of your life for the past years was the most fulfilling/worthwhile? What made you flourish
on those past years? and what is the role of science and technology that affect that experience?