SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY (GE4)

PREPARED BY: CORAZON MIRLA V. BERANGO, MAN

ONLINE CLASS: 2:30 – 3:30 PM, FRIDAY

MODULE #3
HUMAN FLOURISHING IN TERMS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Introduction
Aristotle coined the word endaimonia meaning good spirited to define the pinnacle of
happiness attainable by humans. The Greeks believed that attaining phrenosis, wealth, friendship and
power surely bring seekers happiness allowing them to partake what is “good.”
While it is true that science equips some details of the world its main claim to objectivity and
systematic methodology is way least flawed but. But that doesn’t stop institutions to favor who excel in
the said discipline.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The learners will be able to:
1. Identify different conceptions of human flourishing;
2. Determine the development of the scientific method and validity of science, and
3. Critic human flourishing vis-à-vis progress of science and technology and be able to define for
themselves the meaning of a good life.

KEY TERMS
1. Eudaimonia
2. Good life

LEARNING CONCEPTS
1. Science as Method and Results. In the students’ formative years they are taught the basic
methodology when introduced to experimentation and empiricism. As previously discussed, the
scientific method vary in steps but the general idea is how to do science.
a. Verification Theory distinguishes philosophy and science. It proposes that a discipline is
science if it can be confirmed or interpreted in the event of an alternative hypothesis being
accepted. This theory gives premium to empiricism and only takes into account those results
which are measurable and experiments which are repeatable. This proved attractive
initially, due to general consensus from people who saw for themselves how the experiment
occurred, solidifying its validity and garnering supports from esteemed figures. However, it
had shortcomings that proved too risky lacking empirical results that may shot down
prematurely. It also fails completely to weed out bogus arguments that explain things
coincidentally.
b. Falsification Theory asserts that as long as an ideology is not proven to be false and can best
explain a phenomenon over alternative theories , the ideology can be accepted. However, it
does not promote ultimate adoption of one theory but instead encourages research in order
to determine which among the theories can stand the test of falsification. It presents certain
dangers by interpreting an otherwise independent evidence in the light of one’s pet theory.
Scientists however, are not convinced that it should be regarded as what makes a discipline
scientific.

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 2. Science as Social Endeavor. Science cease to belong to solely gown-wearing bespectacled
scientists at laboratories. The new view perpetuates a dimension which benefits the society. it
can be ascertained that far-off places where science is not regarded as is, is in no way inferior to
that of globalized people’s science. This way, shared experiences forge solidarity over societies.
3. Science and Results. Those who do not understand science are won over when the discipline
produces results. Some consider religion, luck and humanitarian randomness to produce results.
Those without access to science turn to divination and superstition and still get results. Science
therefore does not monopolize claim for definite results.
4. Science as Education. In pursuit of human flourishing it would make sense to pursue it
holistically. Mastering science and technology would be inadequate, say socialize with people or
ruminate on one’s inner self. A true endaimon recognizes flourishing requiring one to excel in
various dimensions, e.g. linguistic, kinetic, artistic and socio-civic. The focus is not on one aspect
alone.
5. How Much is Too Much. It is believed by economists that growth is the primary indicator of
development. Technology is the primary instrument enabling the pursuit of said goal utilizing
resources, machineries and labor. Growth is an illusory notion of sustainability. The world’s
resources can only provide so much, it cannot be expected to stretch out for everyone’s
consumption over a long period of time.
Growth is infinite. The rapid pace of technological growth allows room for nature to recuperate
leading to exploitation and irreversible damages to nature. Repercussions of such exploits is in
the hands of man-made climate change, would affect flora and fauna driving later to extinction
of nature as well as man.

REFERENCES

Serafica, Janice Patria J., et. al. Science, Technology and Society, pp. 50-60.

Hickel,J. (2015). “Forget Developing Rich Countries It’s Time to De-Develop Rich Countries.”
https://www. the guardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/scp/23/developing-
poor-countries-de-develop-rich-countries-sdgs.

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Name ______________________________________ Course/year level _______________________
Date _______________

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

1. What do you think constitute human flourishing?
2. Are we successful so far trying to tie down technology with what we conceive as human
flourishing?
3. State the contribution of the following in our scientific development:
a. Gravity
b. Telescope
c. Processed food
d. Microscope
e. Radio
f. Guns
g. Internet
h. Cell phones
4. Determine possible alternative(s) to growth and development. List down several ways to
promote sustainable living. Make a mini-campaign advocating the method of your choice.

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MIRLA V. BERANGO, MAN
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY (GE4)
PREPARED BY: CORAZON MIRLA V. BERANGO, MAN
ONLINE CLASS: 2:30- 3:30 PM, FRIDAY

MODULE #4
THE GOOD LIFE

Introduction
What does it really mean to live a good life? What qualifies a good existence? We are assumed
granting this is understood, to be in a better position to reconcile our deepest existential needs as
human beings and science to maneuver around the world.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The learners will be able to:
1. Examine what is meant by a good life;
2. Identify how human attempt to attain what is deemed to be a good life; and
3. Recognize possibilities available to human being to achieve the good life.

KEY TERMS
1. Happiness
2. Materialism
3. Hedonism
4. Hedonist
5. Stoicism
6. Theism
7. Humanism

LEARNING CONCEPTS
1. Happiness: Goal of a Good Life
John Stuart Miller (Greater Happiness Principle) posited that an action is right as far as it
maximizes the attainment of happiness for the greater number of people.
2. Schools of Thought with the aim of the good and happy life
a. Materialism (founded by Democritus and Leucippus). The world is made up of and up of
matter. Atomos comes simply together randomly to form things in the world. Matter is what
makes man attain happiness in terms of human flourishing typified by people who cling to
their material wealth.
b. Hedonism is the method to obtain pleasure, another school of thought by Epicurus. The
mantra is “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.”
c. Stoicism (Epicurus) means distancing oneself and be apathetic (originally, apatheia, to be
indifferent). It adopts the fact that some things are not within our control. The sooner we
realize this, the happier we become.
d. Theism : God is the fulcrum of the people’s existence. The ultimate basis of happiness is
communion with God as what the Roman Catholics believe. The world is temporary refuge
while waiting for the ultimate return to the hands of God.
e. Humanism is the freedom of man to carve his own destiny, legislate his own laws, free from
God’s shackles. Literally, the person is the captain of his own ship.

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 Sophisticated attempts are made to alter the world to benefit humanity where some are
willing to tamper time and space in terms of technology. Ex. Social media purges time and
space making communication possible, virtually as well as in multiple numbers of people
engage in the process.
(Tinkering the sexuality for sexual re-assignment , breast implants, beauty readjustment
(nose job, etc.), hormone injection to alter sexual chemicals in the body are other
examples.)

REFERENCES

Serafica, et.al. , SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY, pp. 75-82.

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (n.d.). Renaissance Humanism.

http://www.iep.utm.edu/humanism/.

Psychology Today. (2013). Aristotle”s Secret to Happiness: What Will Make Us Happy Now?
https://www.macat.com/blog/aristotles-secret-happiness.

The Basic Philosophy. (2008). Theism. http://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_theism.html.

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Name ________________________________________ Course/Year Level______________________
Date ____________________________

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

1. What is the good life?
2. What is the relationship between the good life and science?
3. Does technology always lead us to the good life? How and why?
4. List down technological advancement which help man attain a good life or otherwise.
5. Compare and contrast. Identify two modes of doing things where one involves a more
technologically advanced method.
Ex. Snail mail vs. e-mail

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MIRLA V. BERANGO, MAN