The Social Dimension of SCIENCE and unbiased observations and systematic
TECHNOLOGYSCIENCE and TECH experimentation.
SOCIETY VS. CULTURE
SOCIETY- refers to a group of people who are relatively self-
sufficient and who share a common territory and
culture.
- members of the society preserve and transmit it
from one generation to the next (through literature,
art, video recording and other means of expression).
CULTURE- refers to that people’s traditions, customs, and
behaviors. It includes ideas, values, and artifacts.
- sharing a similar culture helps to define the society
to which we belong .
- to such diversity of culture in every society brought by
its geographic location, people manage to develop knowledge
“knowledge” to utilize the resources that they can find in their
immediate environment to respond to their needs, this
knowledge is called “SCIENCE”
SCIENCE- any system of knowledge that is concerned with the
physical world and its phenomena and that entails
- the knowledge that utilizes and harnesses such
resources.
Technology is science or knowledge put into practical use to
solve problems or invent useful tools through harnessing such
resources to respond to society’s needs.-
SCIENCE IN SOCIETY
Science is the greatest collective endeavor. It
contributes to ensuring a longer and healthier life,
monitors our health, provides medicine to cure our
diseases, alleviates aches and pains, helps us to
provide water for our basic needs – including our food,
provides energy and makes life more fun, including
sports, music, entertainment and the latest
communication technology. Last but not least, it
nourishes our spirit.
Science generates solutions for everyday life and helps us to answer
the great mysteries of the universe. In other words, science is one of
the most important channels of knowledge. It has a specific role, as
well as a
variety of functions for the benefit of our society: creating new
knowledge, improving education, and increasing the quality of our
lives.
Challenges today cut across the traditional boundaries of disciplines
and stretch across the lifecycle of innovation -- from research
to knowledge development and its application. Science,
technology and innovation must drive our pursuit of more
equitable and sustainable development.
Technology as component of Culture
- Technology touches so many facets of contemporary life
that one is not necessarily conscious any more of how and
why it affects daily experience.
- Technology and culture influence each other.
- The story that culture creates a technology, because that
explanation seems the most natural way to understand our
history and it puts our choices at the forefront, but we
also have to consider the ways in which technology
either influences or creates culture.
Equally ubiquitous and beyond daily awareness are
cognitive, affective, and behavioral processes patterned
by culture. It has been noted that cultural factors
influence the perception and usage of technology.
As much as technology is created from the fabric of our
culture, technology also creates the fabric of our culture.
Because of technology, we can find or create the
communities and relationships that fit our version of
thriving, whatever that might be.
Science Technology & Society
- An interdisciplinary field that studies the conditions under
which the production, distribution and utilization of
scientific knowledge and technological systems occur;
the consequences of these activities upon different
groups of people.
- In general, sociology provides various theoretical
perspectives to the analysis of society and culture. The
major perspectives are symbolic interactionalism,
structural functionalism and conflicts.
Structural Functionalists
- focuses on the interconnection between systems in society
which have functions that maintain the functioning of the
whole society.
- One social institution affects all other institutions, thus if
there is a dysfunction in one aspect, the entire system is
affected.
Conflict Perspectives
- focuses on the unequal relationships among groups or
categories of people to explain what is happening in the
society.
Scientific and technological progress has had various
effects on society. These effects have not been limited
to the improvement of society’s material wealth,
but have also extended to altering the paradigms under
which society operates. Specific views on relationship
between science and technology with
society and culture have emerged namely
Technological Somnambulism
  Technological Determinism
 Social Constructions of Technology (SCOT)
Technological Somnambulism
- viewed by Langdon Winner, a political scientist, denies
various ways by which technology provides structure and
meaning for human life.
- contends that human relationship to technology is
consists of merely “making” and “using” technology.
- technology is considered neutral in moral and ethical sense
– neither is technology good or bad wherein, this view
ignores how technology can shape social structure and how
social structure shapes technology due to the reason that
technologies are seen to operate beyond the control of
humans and seem to be results or automatic anunavoidable
process.
Technological Determinism
- was coined by Thorstein Veblen, an American sociologist
and economists who viewed that a society’s technology
largely determines its social structure and
culture.
- technology is viewed as the main determinant of a
society’s history and the driving force of its culture. This
view posits that the introduction of newer technologies
leads to changes in society and culture which may lead to
existing knowledge and technologies as well.
- for every new discovery or invention, there is a
corresponding transition or change is society.
Social Construction of Technology
-introduced by Wiebe Bijker and Trevor Pinch (1984),
emphasizes the importance of social context in the
development of new technologies viewed as a product of
social processes involving several social groups.
- argues that technology and society negotiate the meaning
of new technologies; then make changes to technology
through resistance; and lastly, construct social and
technological frameworks, actions and practices.
CHAPTER 2: Science and Technology
in Everyday Life
The Impact of Science and Technology in Everyday Life
2.1 Environment and Society - Ecosystems provide
services that are important to human existence on a daily
basis. Ecosystems services included the following benefits
to mankind: natural production of food control of climate,
support in terms of cycles and recreational benefits. We
may not know it or take it for granted but ecosystem
services are fundamental to our existence.
ECOSYSTEMS AND ECOSYSTEMS SERVICES
BIOSPHERE- the highest level of biological organization. It
is also known as ‘ecosphere’ to refer to all available
ecological systems existing in our planet.
- There are different types of ecosystems including forest,
grassland, tundra, desert, freshwater and marine
ecosystems
BIODIVERSITY- Defined as the variability among living organisms
from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and
other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of
which they are a part.
TECHNOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
VElCRO- a product inspired by the burrs
- the Velcro was the brainchild of Georges de Mestral, a Swiss
engineer who, in 1941 went for a walk in the woods and
wondered if the burrs that clung to his trousers - and dog -
could be turned into something useful”
2.2 Food Technology - Initially, food technologies were
developed only for survival. Food technologies have also
led to the discovery of new products and new applications
for the same ingredients. The diversity of processed food
we eat today is thus a reflection of our human desire to be
in control and be on the top of the food chain.
Food Getting and Food Production
FORAGING SOCIETIES- referred to as
hunting and gathering societies, exploit wild
plants and animals in their territory for food.
HORICULTURAL SOCIETIES- utilized simple
gardening tools in planting food crops. They
practiced shifting cultivation transferring from
one plot of land to another to leave the land to
fallow and regenerate its nutrients
PASTORAL SOCIETIES- Domesticated herds of
animals not only for food but also for other animal
products including eggs from chicken, wool from
sheep, and milk from cows or goats.
AGRICULTURE- utilized more complex tools in both
crop and livestock production. There was intensive
cultivation of the land following the private
ownership of land.
FOOD PREPARATION AND PROCESSING
Salting as a food preservation technique was very
important in Roman life that Roman soldiers received
“salarium”, or salt as payment for their services.
Comparison of Two Kitchens
1. Dirty’ kitchen, Philippine style.
Generally, the ‘old’ kitchen is what
one calls as ‘dirty’ kitchen today.
Most ‘dirty’ kitchens today have a
simple configuration where one
does not need electricity since there
are no kitchen appliances to speak
of. There are probably two stoves
made of cement with iron grill to put
the kettle for boiling water or soup,
or pan for sautéing. The kitchen is
enveloped by thin galvanized sheets
to lessen the effect of wind & rain.
The legs of the ‘dirty’ kitchen is made
up of wood while the base is made of plywood with a
layer of compact sand to avoid untoward burning of
the plywood base.
2. Modern kitchen. The modern kitchen is packed
with ultra modern appliances, is more spacious &
most of all, needs electricity to energize the
appliances.
2.3 Household Chemistry - This section explores the
chemistry of the substances used in every household. It is
with chemistry that one understands the basic properties
of the chemicals inside every household and learns how to
predict, explain how chemicals change as they react to
form new substances. Understanding the chemistry of
household chemicals enhances our awareness of
household chemical safety and precaution.
2.4 Simple Machines- This section shall focus on the
simple machines that human societies commonly utilize in
their daily lives in various arenas of social life. We may
ignore these simple implements and tools, but these are
the common technologies we use everyday.
-A lever is the simplest machine
of all. It is a long, straight or folded bar
that can lift a load on one of its ends
while applying a little physical force
or effort on the other end. A see-saw
is an example of a lever.
-clined plane is any
surface, flat or jagged, that is sloping
at an angle. Unlike the lever, the
two ends of an inclined plane are
fixed, with one end higher than the
other end. Inclined plane is used
to move particularly heavy objects
up or down two different levels.
- A wedge is another kind of simple machine used to push
things apart. It is triangular in shape, thick on one side
and thin with sharp edge on the other side.
- A wheel and axle is a simple machine that consists of a
wheel with a rod through its center called the axle.
- A screw is a special variation of an inclined plane. An
inclined plane is twirled about a cylinder or cone from
top to bottom to form a spiral. A screw is used to move a
load up and down, or is used to press two objects
together or to pull them away.
- A pulley is a wheel and axle with a rope or chain
attached. A pulley can move objects up and makes work
easier. Suppose a boulder is to be lifted to the third floor of
a building.
2.5 Information and Communication - Before the
emerging of the infectious disease (COVID-
19)    communication and information exchange are done
mostly on face-to-face. Through the development of
information and communication technologies we can now
reach our family and friends faster and reach vast
distances. The rapid growth and development of
 information and communication technologies has resulted
to dependence of society on such technologies.  thought is expressed, a saying, or an expression.
TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY
- Studies the character of technology ad its relations to
society.
- It has various branches:
- Ethics and technology
- The relations between science and technology
- Human-technology relations
- The political dimensions of technology
WHO IS MARTIN HEIDEGGER?
- Was arguably one of the most influential philosophers
of the 20th century.
- Main due to his beliefs against positivism for
modernity and technological world domination which
makes him largely quoted in the post-modern world.
- Sixty years ago, Heidegger in his speech said would be
victims of “radio and television”, “picture magazines”
and “movies”; where MAN would be, and perhaps
already are, “chained” to the imaginary world
proposed by these mediums, and thus homeless in our
own home:
ETYMOLOGY OF “TECHNOLOGY”
- 2 REEK WORDS : “TECHNE” AND “LOGOS”
- Teche means art, skill, and craft, or the way, or means
by which a thing is gained.
- Logos means word, the utterance by which inward
ACCORDING TO MARTIN HEIDEGGER
1. Philosophical Perspective
- Understanding technology is understanding its
existence
WHAT IS THE POINT OF TECHNOLOGY?
- Technology is a means to an end; it is an “instrument”
to meet our needs. (instrumental definition)
- Technology is a human activity. (anthropological
definition)
MEANING, ORIGIN AND ESSNECE OF TECHNOLOGY
MEANING- to instill how valuable technology to man
ORIGIN- to appreciate the journey of technology in helping
humanity address a need or solve a problem as time passes
by through history.
ESSENCE- “ the reason why” such a technology was created
or innovated to address humanity’s needs and wants
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE OF TECHNOLOGY
2 TYPES OF THINKING ESSENTIAL IN THE
UNDERSTANDING TECHNOLOGY AND ITS EXISTENCE:
1. MEDITATIVE THINKING- (REFLECTIVE THINKING)
 - To notice, to observe, to ponder, to awaken an
awareness of what is actually taking place around us
and in us.
- It requires effort, commitment, determination, care,
practice.
- Even though “man is a thinking, that is, meditating being”
we need to train ourselves in the ability to think
meditatively, to confront reality, and thus ourselves, in a
meditative way.
- The cost of not doing so would be, “HEIDEGGER STATES, to
remain “ defenseless and perplexed victim at the mercy of
the irresistible superior power of technology”
ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF TECHNOLOGY
- In anthropology, technology is often studies in a
relationship to the natural environment that it was
developed in
- Different cultures use technology in different ways
CULTURAL EVOLOTION
- Is the idea that human culturak change that is, changes in
socially transmitted beliefs, knowledge, cutoms, skills,
attitudes, languages and so on
CULTURAL ECOLOGY
Home symbol of culture is also a prime example of cultural
ecology. People built their houses differently to adapt with
the hot or cold climate.
SOCIOTECHNICAL SYSTEM
- Recognizes the interaction between people and technology
in workplaces. Also refers to the interaction between
society’s complex infrastructures and human behavior.
- A successful technological innovation or invention happens
only when all elements of the systems, both physical and
technological have been modified so that they effectively
function together.
- Even though “ man is a thinking, that is , mdeidtating being”
we need to train ourselves in the ability to think
meditatively, to confront reality, and thus ourselves, in a
meditative way.
- The cost f not doing so would be “ Heidegger states, to
remain a “defenseless and perplexed victim at the mercy of
the irresistible superior power of technology”
PHILOSOPHOCAL PERSPECTIVE OF TECHNOLOGY
- Technology is inseparable form the human condition
- Human e=being is the locus of meaning for technology to
exist.
- “a danger but a saving power..,”

- The study of human being adaptations to social and physical

environments.
CALCULATIVE THINGKING- “calculates”, “plans”, “investigates”, it
- HUMAN ADAPTATION- to both biological & cultural
set goals and wants to obtain them.
processes that enable a population to survive and
reproduce within a given r changing environment.
 - Calculative thinking computes. It computes ever new, ever
more promising and at the same time more economical
possibilities.
- CALCULATIVE THINKING= “TECHNOLOGICAL THINKING”.
- Technology development involves “calculative thinking” and
“ creative thinking” with a “purposeful intervention design”.
- Technological practice as the activity which technological
are created and have impact in the world.
- Technological outcomes are designed to enhance the
capabilities of people and expand human possibilities.
ACCORDING TO HEIDEGGER:
-technology itself is neither good nor bad, but the problem is, the
technological (calculative thinking) has become the only from of
thinking.
- Heidegger saw that the essence of technology nowadays is
enframing- GE-still, which means that everything in nature is
‘standing-reserve’ (BESTAND)- that is, a resource to be stored for
later utility.
- HEIDEGGER classifies “modern technology” as “enframing”
(GESTELL IN GERMAN ) is using tot urn nature into a resource for
efficient use.
- the human being through modern technology becomes absorbed
in its “calculative forces” such that the human being becomes a
mere cog in the machine. A mere thing whose possibilities are
already determined.
GESTELL classifies as challenging forth which a danger.
- The human becomes merely, what Heidegger calls, a
standing-reserve, waiting to be unlocked, transformed,
stored, distributed. Switched.
- Man becomes regulated as a mere thing and instrument for
efficiency, productivity, and functionality. Heidegger calls
this as ENFRAMING.
- Earth is being “ challenged forth” to be a giant energy
source for modern technology and industry.
- The human being merely what Heidegger calls waiting to be
unlocked, transformed, stored, distributed, switched.
- He saw that the essence of “modern technology: is
enframing – Gesttel which everything in nature is “ satnding
reserve”.
MODERN TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING:
- Challenging forth- Ge stell – a danger
- The mode of revealing in modern technology brought about
new world ordering described as “ artificial”
- Isolate nature and treat it as a ‘ satnding reserve” (Bestand)-
that’s is , a resource to be stored for later utility.
TECHNOLOGY AS BRINGING – FORTH
1. Bringing-forth in itself (physis)
- An occasioning form nothing to something, an emergence,
it is a form of bringing-forth that is characterized in a kind of
irruption that may find its paradigm in nature.
2. Bringing-forth in-another (poieses)
- A bringing-forth that is not a sudden emergence in itself,
but it is an emergence that requires the play of the four
causes, specifically the carpenter for the case of our
wooden chair.