Science, Technology and Society Handouts

Aquinto, MRG 23’

Lesson 1: Introduction to Science, Technology and Society

Learning Objectives: At the end of this chapter the learners should be able to:
➢ Learn the basic concepts of Science and Technology
➢ Differentiate Science from Technology

“Normal science does not aim at novelties of fact or theory and, when successful, finds none” – Thomas Kuhn

WHAT DOES SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY MEAN?

Science and technology studies, or science, technology and society studies (STS) is the study of how
society, politics, and culture affect scientific research and technological innovation, and how these, in turn, affect
society, politics and culture.
~ Science- investigations of the physical world, including us and the stuff we make
~Technology- making stuff, including stuff used by society, and in the production and dissemination of
science
~Society- the sum total of our interactions as humans, including the interactions that we engage in to
figure things out and to make things
It should be clear that all of these are deeply interconnected.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY STUDIES

STS is a relatively recent discipline, originating in the 60s and 70s, following Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific
Revolutions (1962). Kuhn’s notion as stated above is contrary to the popular image of science. He challenges the
normally accepted scientific beliefs. He states that if scientific discoveries are typically viewed as novelties, then
this will lead to the end of what people believe to be normal science. Contrary to this point, normal science’s aim
is not towards its end or towards strictly philosophical ideologies. But, according to Kuhn, normal science strives
not towards progress but towards normal and/or revolutionary stages. Basically, Kuhn revolutionized how people
view science and broke it down into stages:
❖ Pre-Paradigmatic- AKA Prescience; not yet a model of understanding mature
enough to solve the field’s main problems.
o The stage where they identify a topic or field of interest, but not yet
able to solve problems encountered
❖ Emergence of Normal Science- “puzzle solving”; stage of slow accumulation
of details n accord with established broad theory without questioning or
challenging the underlying assumptions of theory
❖ Emergence of Anomaly and Crisis- some case or instance which the rules of
the paradigm appear fundamentally at odds with nature. Scientist explore that
anomaly and create new basic assumptions with which to explain the
unexpected fact
❖ Birth and Assimilation of a New Paradigm- science has a paradigm that remains constant before going
through a paradigm shift when current theories can’t explain some phenomenon, and someone propose a
new theory
For him, science is more than just an accumulation of new ideas instead, science is marked by revolutionary
ideas that trigger new ideologies that change the way people view and understand science.
Science, Technology and Society Handouts
Aquinto, MRG 23’

STS was the result of a “sociological turn” in science studies.

STS makes the assumption that science and technology are essentially intertwined
and that they are each profoundly social and profoundly political. Society is the
result of people, institutions, interaction with one another. It is sort of phenomena of these
individuals. The “effects” of society operated through the vague mechanism of social norms. Norm tells us what
we should not do, what we should and should not think. But they are not rational – or rather, their rationality is not
universal. In the simplest sense, technoscience is the product of people, and people are social.
SCIENCE

WHAT IS SCIENCE?
From the Latin word “scientia” meaning knowledge. Refers to a system of acquiring knowledge which uses
observation and experimentation. It is also an organized body of knowledge gained using scientific method or
research. In science the human attempt to understand the natural world, with or without concern for practical uses
of that knowledge.
Example of Natural world included: Plants and animals, Volcanoes, Gravity, Atoms
Science will try to discover facts and relationships and then tries to create theories that makes sense of these facts
and relationships.

TECHNOLOGY
From two Greek words: “techne” meaning art, craft, or skill and “logos” meaning to speak of; to imply the
practical application of techne. Simply, technology is the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims
of human life. Human attempt to change the world.
In technology we use methods, systems, and devices which are the result of scientific knowledge being
used for practical purposes. Technology involves tools, techniques and procedures for putting the findings of
science to practical use.
Example of Technology: Technology involves Tools, Techniques, Procedures for putting the findings of
science to practical use.

Interconnections between Science and Technology

• Science explores for the purpose of knowing (which is search for knowledge) while Technology explores
for the purpose of making something useful from that knowledge (practical application of knowledge).

• Science is THEORY and technology is PRACTICE.

COMPARISON OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Science Technology
Deals with the natural world Deals with how humans modify, changes, alter or
control the natural world
Concerned with “what is (exists” in the natural world Concerned with “what can or should be” designed,
made or developed from natural world materials and
substances to satisfy human needs and wants
Concerned with “processes” that seek out the meaning Invention, innovation, practical problem, solving and
of the natural world ; inquiry, discovering what is; design
exploring; using scientific method
Science, Technology and Society Handouts
Aquinto, MRG 23’

SOCIETY
The term "society" came from the Latin word societas, which in turn was derived
from the noun socius ("comrade, friend, ally"; adjectival form socialis) used to
describe a bond or interaction between parties that are friendly, or at least civil.
A society is a grouping of individuals, which is characterized by common interest and may have
distinctive culture and institutions.

SYNTHESIS
Science is the pursuit of knowledge about the natural world through systematic observation and experiments.
Through science, we develop new technologies.

Technology is the application of scientifically gained knowledge for practical purpose. Scientists use technology
in all their experiments

References:
1. https://web.colby.edu/continuingrevolutions/2016/11/07/kuhns-scientific-revolution/
2. Neil De Grasse Tyson is an astrophysicist and well-known for his work with the Cosmos: A Space Time
Odyssey mini-series.
3. The interview is about science, society and the universe-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXh9RQCvxmg

TASK/ACTIVITY
Instruction: Briefly answer the following question in your own words. Use bullet to organize your answer.
1. How do you define science and technology the way you understand it?
2. How do you perceive the influence of society in the development of technology? Site some examples (at
least one).
3. In the technology today, do you see a negative effect of science in the people? Site an example.
4. If you are a scientist, what will you be able to create?
5. What do you want to develop in our country in terms of technology?

Please refer for the general rubrics for grading of this activity.