Introduction to

Science, Technology and

Society
Objectives:
1. Discuss the general concepts related to science and
technology.
2. Explain the scope of the study of STS.
3. Demonstrate preparedness and readiness in the study of
STS.
Pre-Assessment:
Instructions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct or FALSE if it is not.
1. Science is a methodical way of acquiring knowledge.
2. Technology is the use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.
3. Science and technology can be dangerous.
4. Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is the study of how science and
technology shape and are shaped by social influences.
5. STS deals with the historical development of science and technology but does
not cover their philosophical underpinnings.
Pre-Assessment:
Instructions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct or FALSE if it is not.
6. The study of STS primarily concerns students of science and technology
programs, and not non-science students as much.
7. STS is an important area of study because science and technology permeate
every aspect of everyday life.
8. Science and technology are not crucial factors in nation building.
9. History cannot teach people about evaluating present-day science and technology.
10. STS draws from other disciplines, such as history, sociology, philosophy,
economics, political science and international relations, and
📖Assignment:
1. List down 10 general concepts related to science and technology.
2. Paste a magazine or newspaper cutout of any photograph that depicts an
issue or problem in science and technology. Then, answer the ff. questions.:
a. What is the issue or problem depicted in the photograph?
b. How does this particular issue or problem impact the well-being of human
today?
c. Why is it important for people to study and learn about STS as an academic
field, especially in addressing the issue or problem depicted in the
photograph?
3. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest, rate your preparedness and
readiness in the study of STS. Justify your self rate.
GENERAL CONCEPTS

Society
Science
• from the Latin word ‘scientia’ meaning knowledge
• refers to a systematic and methodical activity of building
and organizing knowledge about how the universe behaves
through observation, experimentation or both
John Heilborn (2003)
“Modern science is a discovery as
well as invention.”
Technology
• from the Greek word ‘techne’ meaning art, skill or cunning
of hand
• is the application of scientific knowledge, laws and
principles to produce services, materials, tools and machines
aimed at solving real-world problems
Mark Zuckerberg (2014)
“One historical definition of
technological tool is something that
takes a human’s sense or ability and
augments it and makes it more
powerful. For example, I wear contact
lenses or glasses, that is a technology
that enhances my human ability of
vision and makes it better.”
Lewis Wolpert (2005)
The Medawar Lecture 1998: Is Science Dangerous?
“Reliable scientific knowledge has no
moral and ethical value. Science is not the
same as technology. Science is meant
simply to explain how nature and the
universe work. Technological applications
of science are influenced by other sectors
such as politics and governance, religion
and business.”
Advancements in Science and Technology
Advancements in Science and Technology
• human activities
• tools
• productivity
• kind of living
• promising future
Challenges and Drawbacks
Challenges and Drawbacks
• Machines cut need for human workforce.
• Drugs introduce new strains of bacteria and viruses.
• Social media changed the way humans communicate,
interact and share information.
Carl Sagan in Tom Head (2006)

“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.”
Science, Technology and Society (STS)
• a new academic discipline that concerns with how the
different aspects of society shape and influence the
progression and further development of science and
technology
Science, Technology and Society (STS)
• A relatively young field of study
• History of science
• Philosophy of science
• Sociology of science

• combines previously independent and older disciplines

• applies methods drawn from history, philosophy and sociology
to study the nature of science and technology and ultimately
judge their value and place in society
Science, Technology and Society (STS)
• As an academic field, started during the interwar and cold war
period – Kennedy School (2018)
• scientific knowledge, technological systems and society
• response (critically, reflectively and proactively)
• it was during this period when historians and scientists found interest in
the interconnections of scientific knowledge, technological systems and
society
• resulted from the recognition that many schools today do not prepare
students to respond critically, reflectively and proactively to the
challenges posed by science and technology in the contemporary world
Science, Technology and Society (STS)
• As an interdisciplinary field, Kennedy School (2018)
• bridge Humanities and natural sciences
• an interdisciplinary field that resulted from questions about science and
technology’s dynamic interaction with various aspects of society, thus
viewed as a socially embedded enterprise
• bridges 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 existential
dilemmas brought by the continued developments in science and
technology
John J. Reilly (Center for Science, Technology and Values of UND)
• Helix
• Bless2 U and Pepper
• Emotion-Sensing Facial Recognition
• Ransomeware
• Textalyzer
• Social Credit System
• Google Clips
• Sentencing Software
• Friendbot
• Citizen App
10 Emerging Ethical Dilemmas and Policy Issues in Science and Technology in 2018
1. Helix - a digital app store designed to read genomes
2. BlessU-2 and Pepper - first robot priest and monk
3. Emotion-Sensing Facial Recognition - a software being developed to
assess your reactions to anything such as shopping and playing games
4. Ransomware - a way of holding data hostage through hacking and
requiring a ransom to be paid
5. Textalyzer - a device that analyzes whether a driver was using his or her
phone during an accident
10 Emerging Ethical Dilemmas and Policy Issues in Science and Technology in 2018
6. Social Credit System - a system of scoring citizens through their actions
by placing them under constant surveillance (which China plays to adopt)
7. Google Clips - a hands-free camera that lets the user capture every
moment effortlessly
8. Sentencing Software - a mysterious algorithm designed to aid courts in
sentencing decisions
9. Friendbot - an app that stores the deceased's digital footprint so one can
still “chat” with them
10.Citizen App - an app that notifies users of ongoing crimes or major
events in a specific area