STS REVIEWER
be collective called the Filipino society.
HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN WHICH SOCIAL
CONSIDERATIONS CHANGED THE COURSE OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
WHAT IS SCIENCE
- science as a study of the natural world
based on facts learned through
experiments and observation. The
word ‘science’ came from the Latin
word Scientia, meaning ‘knowledge.’ A
widespread definition of science states
that it is a systematic enterprise that
builds and organizes knowledge in the
form of testable explanations and
predictions about the world.
WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY?
Technology is the application of scientific
knowledge to the practical aims of human life
or to the change and manipulation of the
human environment (Encyclopedia Britannica).
Thus, science and technology (S&T) are two
independent fields but they work together in
a ‘brains and hands’, ‘mind and action’,
‘knowledge and application’, ‘theory and
practice’ partnership.
WHAT IS SOCIETY?
Society is a large group of people who live
together in an organized way, making decisions
about how to do things, and sharing the work
that needs to be done (Cambridge Dictionary).
The word ‘society’ was derived from the Latin
word Socius, meaning ‘companionship or
friendship’.
Sociology is the field that studies society. It
formally defines society as a group of people in
the same geographical territory, sharing a
common culture, social structure, and laws.
For example, the people in the Philippines can
WHAT IS STS?
The field of science provide data for innovation
in technology, but technological development
requires more scientific knowledge.
Technology improves the quality of life in the
society, but societal progress is highly
dependent on technological advancement.
Societal needs are accommodated by science,
and scientific discoveries help improve the
quality of life.
HISTORY OF STS
The earliest record of the existence of science
and technology was in ancient Mesopotamia
(presently, a region shared by Iraq, Kuwait,
Turkey, and Syria), which is the same time that
the earliest civilization has also been recorded,
both between 600 BC to 1400 AD.
It was in ancient Greece that science was first
recognized as a distinctly separate field from
human, artistic philosophy. It was called
‘natural’ philosophy by the Greeks, or the
philosophy concerning nature.
Later, historical records show that the ancient
China and India have developed their own
science and technology which proliferated in the
entire Asian continent. In the Middle East, the
Golden Age of Islam was recorded due to their
development of science and technology.
It was only in 1400–1700 AD that there was an
age of Great Scientific Revolution. Since then,
science and technology became so vast,
covering the study and application of the
smallest matter on Earth up to the
extraterrestrial objects in the universe, while
societies on Earth continue to expand.
PARADIGM SHIFTS
While STS is a unification of three fields
(science, technology, and society), the
unification actually experiences paradigm
shifting. Consider the following infographic that
shows how in a span of about 50 years,
technology has great evolved, causing impact
on the development of social businesses.
THE evolution of technology and its impact on
the development of social business
1960s (we are babies) technology has little
impact. It is curiosity.
1970s (we are still children) technology is for
academics and has little impacts.
1980s (we are still children but we can pout to
get what we want) technology invades the
home and start to change the behavior.
1990s (
Intellectual revolutions that defined society
Top 10 Greatest Scientists Who Changed the
World1 by Naman Bista.
ARISTOTLE
Student of Plato and a tutor to Alexander the
Great, Aristotle was a genius Greek philosopher
and scientist of the ancient age.
Born on 384 BC, Aristotle was a biologist, a
zoologist, ethicist, a political scientist and the
master of rhetoric and logic.
Aristotle made collections to the plant and
animal specimens and classified them according
to their characteristics which made a standard
for future work.
Aristotle also elaborated and estimated the size
of earth which Plato assumed to be globe.
Aristotle explained the chain of life through his
study in flora and fauna where it turned from
simple to more complex
Archimedes
Archimedes developed profound and influential
knowledge on mathematical physics and
engineering that are widely used in machines as
well as in constructions.
He introduced infinitesimals and laid the
foundation for calculus.
He gave descriptions on the first finite
geometric progression, computed areas and
volumes of sphere and parabolic segments.
He also discovered the laws of lever, density,
fluid equilibrium, buoyancy in different fields
statics and hydrostatics.
He is regarded as the prophet to the formal
science that was started in Ancient Greece.
Galileo
Born in Pisa, Italy, Galileo is called the ‘father of
modern science’ because of his discoveries in
astronomy and physics.
he chose his career in science and mathematics
and made the first telescope to observe stars
and planets.
He also discovered that the surface of moon
was not smooth but contained burrows and
holes to what he called crater.
He also discovered 4 revolving moons around
Jupiter which are named after him.
He proved what Copernicus said about sun
being the center of the solar system.
Michael Faraday
British citizen Michael Faraday was a son of a
blacksmith who had to leave school in the
fourth grade.
He developed a fascination with science and
particularly in electricity after he studied lot of
serious academic works during his days.
Faraday is specially known for his discoveries of
electromagnetic inductions and rotations, field
theory, diamagnetization and the magneto-
optical effect
Thomas Alva Edison
Thomas Alva Edison is nicknamed “The Wizard
of the Menlo Park”.
Excelled as both scientist and inventor, Edison
patented a whopping total of 1,093 inventions
in his lifetime.
Most of the inventions that came from Edison
are batteries, phonographs, cement, mining,
telegraphs, lights, and powers.
He also improved the telephone made by
Graham Bell and invented the kinetoscope that
was used for viewing moving films.
Maria Salomea Sklodowska Curie
Marie Curie holds record for the first female to
be awarded with a Nobel Prize. Inventor-
scientist Curie was born as the youngest of five
children in Warsaw, Poland.
She invented the first mobile X-ray machine
which helped to check the injured soldiers in
the battlefield. Radium is another great
invention from her.
. She is also called “the mother of atom bomb”
with her invention of the radioactive materials
Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur made astounding contributions in
the field of science, technology. and medicine.
This genius spent his life working in chemistry
and microbiology.
Pasteur was the first-ever scientist to study
about fermentation in food elements that was
caused by microbes.
He also explained about biogenesis and
proposed a theory named as the “Germ
Theory”.
milk free from the damage causing microbes to
what he called “Pasteurization”.
Pasteur is also regarded as the first man on
earth to ever discover cure for puerperal fever
and make the vaccines for rabies and anthrax
Sir Isaac Newton
Born in Woolsthorpe, England, Sir Isaac Newton
is best known for his law on gravitation
he loved making mechanical toys and models of
windmills. Newton explained the theory of
gravity and gravitation by inventing calculus as
no other principles could explain it
He also explained the theory on tides which
occurred due to the gravitation pull from the
sun, moon and earth. He also invented the
reflecting telescope.
He was knighted with the title Sir by Queen
Anne in 1705. Newton died at the age of 84
Albert Einstein
Born in Ulm, Germany, Einstein is considered as
one of the greatest revolutionary scientists the
world has ever known.
The “Man of Century” has some spectacular
works in physics which even makes him the
father of modern physics for his contribution in
developing the general theory of relativity
One of the greatest scientists of the 20th
century, Einstein’s Special theory of relativity
revolutionized physics which even challenged
the scientists at CERN.
Albert Einstein’s genius mind for the scientific
advancement cause immeasurable change to
the world.
Nikola Tesla
This Serbian born scientist atop the list because
of his immense knowledge in different fields of
science and technology.
Remote control, neon lightening, modern
electric motor, earthquake machine are finest
inventions from Tesla.
He was a true genius. However, most of his
ideas and inventions were either copied, stolen,
or taken by somebody else.
Tesla made a way to charge a house with
electric lightening for electricity purpose but did
not share it thinking somebody else will take it.
What is an ‘intellectual revolution’?
Intellectual revolution is a movement about
enlightenment that was said to be initiated
during 17th century when people are more
driven by the new discoveries in science and
technology and cultural relativism resulting
from the explorations.
Intellectual revolution emphasizes the idea of
universal human progress, the most pragmatic
systems in science, as well as free use of reason,
logic, and critical thinking.
How do intellectual revolutions
define/transform societies?
Intellectuals are those who are rational, logical,
wise (not just smart) and have a big heart for
the world. No bias, no prejudice.
What are the intellectual (scientific)
revolutions known in history?
1. Copernican. This caused the paradigm shift of
how the earth and sun were
placed in the heavens/universe. It is the idea
that rejected Ptolemaic model
(earth is the center of the solar system) and
proved the heliocentric model (Sun
is the center of the solar system having the
earth revolving around it.)
2. Darwinian. This has brought a great impact
on how people approach Biology
forever. This revolution provided a different
than the "theory of Creation". The
Darwinian revolution started when Charles
Darwin published his book "The
Origin of Species" which emphasized that
humans are the result of an evolution.
3. Freudian. This theory started to revolutionize
Psychiatry with Sigmund Freud.
This includes the "Freudian Theory of
Personality" which states that human
development contributes to personality and
also to "psychoanalysis" that is the process for
achieving proper functioning if a person does
not complete his/her developmental stage.
4. Information. This was the era which
technology has been prevalent. It is also known
as the Computer Age that has brought so much
change on how we areliving today.
5. Meso-American. It has contributed a lot of
ideas or discoveries for Archaeology.
The temples and pyramids left a lot about of
Architecture that leads us to study more of it.
6. Asian. The revolution itself taught Asian
countries about freedom and
independent nationhood along with the
improvement brought by it internally.
7. Middle East. The revolutions in the Middle
East were a product of the development and
growth of individual nationalism, imperialism,
for the efforts to westernize and modernize
Middle Eastern societies, and to push the
declining power of the Ottoman Empire in the
Arab region.
8. African. The fight against colonialism and
imperialism in Africa.
Science and technology and nation-building
(Part I)
Nation-building
Throughout history, S&T drive the progress of
human civilization. They induce economic
growth and social development, thus playing a
significant role in nation-building.
According to Stephenson (2005), nation-
building is all about the process of unifying
people within a state so that that the state
remains politically stable and economically
viable.
The term nation-building is often used
simultaneously with statebuilding,
democratization, modernization, political
development, post Conflict reconstruction, and
peacebuilding.
Goals of Nation-building
The following are the goals of nation-building:
• To make a country’s economy firm, viable,
stable, and prosperous
• Encourage a strong sense of national identity
• Create effective social institution
Components of Nation-building
According to Stephenson 2005, the following
are the main components of nation building:
Economic Development
Economic development has been defined as the
process whereby simple, low-income national
economies are transformed into modern
industrial economies. Economic development is
sometimes used as a synonym for economic
growth (Myint andKrueger, 2016).
Social Development
Social development is about uplifting the well-
being of every individual in the society so they
can reach their full potential. The success of
society is related to the well-being of its citizen
(Government of New Brunswick, 2009).
Political Development
Political development has been defined as an
increase in national political unity, political
participation, and political stability.
Neureiter (2003) pointed out that the
integration of S&T in politics revolves in the
provision of science-based policies and
regulations. Science-based policies have been
seen to have viable and sustainable impacts to
society.
Institutional Development
Institutional development refers to the
processes that improve the capacity of a social
institutions (e.g. health, education, religion) to
achieve its goals and objectives. Over the years,
the delivery of services by social institutions
have greatly improved through S&T.
S&T and Sectoral Development
The progress in S&T have created profound
beneficial impacts to all aspects and
sectors of a nation. The following are key
sectors that have greatly benefited from the
breakthroughs of S&T:
Energy Sector
The use of new technologies such as solar
panel, wind turbines and generators have
improved the way human harnesses renewable
energy.
Agriculture Sector
With the used of technologically produced farm
machineries such as tractors and harvesters,
farmers can efficiently produce more with less
manpower, aiming increased yield while using
lesser inputs.
Fisheries Sector
Technological innovations offer an opportunity
to improve fisheries management practices.
Technology also empowers small-scale fishers
generating information not just on fisheries but
on markets, which allows them to make better
business decisions.
Communication Sector
Science and Technology has greatly improved
the sector of communication. Modern
communication has made instant using emails,
social medias, phones and videocalls. The used
of wireless signals, satellites, undersea cables,
and other advanced technology have
guaranteed the instant delivery of messages
and other forms of data to any locations
(Prajapati, 2020).
Transportation Sector
With the use of modern technologies, people
can now get to more destinations more
efficiently and quickly.
The used of automated buses and trains aids in
saving manpower and in managing the ageing
population in some cities
Military Sector
Information technology, artificial intelligence
and sensors have the potential to vividly
improve all aspects of future military
capabilities.
Modeling and simulation have already made
major contributions to training, readiness,
weapons design, and acquisition management.
Together, these technologies can significantly
reduce combat losses in lives and equipment.
Education Sector
Technological advancement has greatly
changed the sector of education. Digital
simulations and models can help teachers in
explaining difficult concepts and can also help
students who are visual or tactile learners to
better understand a specific concept (Khan,
2019).
Health Sector
The advances in digital healthcare technologies,
such as artificial intelligence, VR/AR, 3D-
printing, robotics and nanotechnology help
transform unsustainable healthcare systems
into sustainable ones, equalize the relationship
between medical professionals and patients,
provide cheaper, faster and more effective
solutions for diseases.
Global Perspective on S&T in Nation-building
Science and Technology has a great impact to
rapid development. S&T affect every aspects of
life and was regarded as the greatest evidence
of modernization. Convenience, simplicity, and
easiness in everyday living has been offered by
the introduction of modern technology.
State of S&T of Developed Nations
United States, Canada, Germany, South Korea,
Japan, Australia, and Israel will benefit the most
from advances in science and technology, and
they will be able to exploit technology
regardless of its sophistication.
State of Science and Technology of Developing
Nations
In many developing countries, science and
technology plays an important role in social and
economic progress. The importance of science
and technology in addressing the national and
international issues necessitate the promotion
of various S&T programs throughout developing
countries.
Science and technology and nation-building
(Part II)
THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF
THE PHILIPPINES
In Filipino and English languages Provisions to
Science and Technology
SECTION 10. Science and technology are
essential for national development and
progress. The State shall give priority to
research and development, invention,
innovation, and their utilization; and to science
and technology education, training, and
services. It shall support indigenous,
appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and
technological capabilities, and their application
to the country’s productive systems and
national life
SECTION 11. The Congress may provide for
incentives, including tax deductions, to
encourage private participation in programs of
basic and applied scientific research.
Scholarships, grants-in-aid, or other forms of
incentives shall be provided to deserving
science students, researchers, scientists,
inventors, technologists, and specially gifted
citizens.
SECTION 12. The State shall regulate the
transfer and promote the adaptation of
technology from all sources for the national
benefit. It shall encourage the widest
participation of private groups, local
governments, and communitybased
organizations in the generation and utilization
of science and technology
SECTION 13. The State shall protect and secure
the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors,
artists, and other gifted citizens to their
intellectual property and creations, particularly
when beneficial to the people, for such period
as may be provided by law.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
The Department of Science and Technology is
the primary science and technology agency of
the Philippines. DOST is responsible for
providing central direction, leadership, and
coordination of all scientific and technological
activities, formulating activities, programs, and
projects to support national development.
Originally, it was named National Science
Development Board (NSDB) created on June 13,
1958 under the presidency of Carlos P. Garcia.
Later, it was reorganized as the National Science
and Technology Authority (NSTA) on March 17,
1982 under the presidency of Ferdinand E.
Marcos. Eventually, it was elevated to cabinet
level uponExecutive Order No. 128 by then
President Corazon C. Aquino on January 30,
1987 and was renamed the Department of
Science and Technology.
DOST is composed of councils and agencies with
specific scope and responsibilities2:
• sectoral planning council
• research and development institutes
• S&T service institutes
• collegial bodies
• regional offices
• provincial S&T centers
Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and
Emerging Technology Research and
Development (PCIEERD)
The central agency in the formulation of
policies, plans, and programs as well as in the
implementation of strategies in the industry,
energy, and emerging technology sectors.
Philippine Council for Health Research and
Development (PCHRD)
The central agency that formulates policies,
plans, programs, project, and strategies for
health S&T development, allocates government
and external funds for R&D, monitors R&D
projects, and generates external funds.
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and
Natural Resources Research and Development
(PCAARRD)
The central agency that formulates policies,
plans, and programs for R&D in agriculture,
aquatic, and natural resources, coordinates and
monitors R&D efforts, allocates government
and external funds for R&D, and generates
resources to support its programs.
Advanced Science and Technology Institute
(ASTI)
Undertakes research and development activities
aimed at strengthening and modernizing
Information and Communications Technology
and microelectronics and dedicates itself to
delivering technology solutions in support of a
productive and resilient Filipino society.
Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI)
Develops nutritious, safe, and affordable food
products and transfers this technology to
entrepreneur for their commercial production
and distribution.
Forest Products Research and Development
Institute (FPRDI)
Conducts research and development on wood
and non-wood forest products, transfer
technologies, and provide technical services and
trainings.
Industrial Technology Development Institute
(ITDI)
Undertakes technical services such as
standardization, analysis, and calibration,
transfers research results directly to end-users
or via linkages with other government agencies,
conducts training, and provides technical
advisory and consultancy to industry and end-
users.
Metals Industry Research and Development
Center (MIRDC)
Provides metals and engineering industry with
professional management and technical
expertise, training of engineers and technicians,
information exchange, trade accreditation
services, quality control and testing of metal
products, R&D, and business economics
advisory services.
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)
Undertakes R&D activities in the peaceful uses
of nuclear energy, institutes regulations on the
said uses, and carries out enforcement of said
regulations to protect the health and safety of
radiation workers and the general public.
Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI)
Conducts R&D for the textile industry sector,
undertakes transfer of completed researches to
end-users or via linkage units of other
government agencies, undertakes technical
services, and provides training programs.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA)
Provides flood and typhoon warnings, public
weather forecasts and advisories,
meteorological, astronomical, climatological,
and other specialized information and services
for the protection of life and property and in
support of economic productivity and
sustainable development.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
Mitigate disasters that may arise from volcanic
eruptions, earthquakes, tsunami, and other
related geotectonic phenomena.
Philippine Science High School System
Provides scholarship to students with high
aptitude in science and mathematics, prepares
its students for careers in Science and
Technology, and contributes to nation-building
by helping the country attain a critical mass of
professionals and leaders in S&T.
Science Education Institute (SEI)
Accelerates the development of S&T human
resources of the country by administering
undergraduate and graduate scholarships and
advanced specialized trainings, promotes S&T
culture, and develop innovative science
education innovative programs.
Science and Technology Information Institute
(STII)
Establishes a science and technology databank
and library, disseminate science and technology
information, and undertakes training on science
and technology information.
Technology Application and Promotion
Institute (TAPI)
Promotes the commercialization of
technologies and market the services of other
operating units of the DOST.
National Academy of Science and Technology
(NAST)
Recognizes outstanding achievements in
science and technology, providesmeaningful
incentives to those engaged in scientific and
technological researches, and advises the
President and the Cabinet on matters related to
science and technology.
National Research Council of the Philippines
(NCRP)
Promotes frontier and problem-oriented
researches in the sciences and humanities that
provide solutions to pressing and anticipated
national issues and seeks an enabling
environment where members can continuously
generate new knowledge and exemplary
researches as well as mentor future members.
AmBisyon Natin 2040: The Vision, Our
Ambition h
On October 11, 2016, President Rodrigo R.
Duterte signed Executive Order No. 5, s. 2016
approving and adopting the 25- year long-term
vision entitled AmBisyon Natin 2040 as a guide
for development planning
In its preamble, EO 5 recognizes the need for a
“bold vision and effective development
planning” based on a “forward-looking
approach that goes beyond a single
administration”.
Middle-class aspirations
The Filipinos’ vision for the Philippines in 2040
is a prosperous, predominantly middleclass
society where there is equality of opportunities
and poverty has been eradicated. It will be a
society where people live long and healthy lives
with a higher life expectancy at birth of 80
years.
On the kind of life that they want for
themselves, Filipinos want a life that is strongly
rooted, comfortable, and secure: matatag,
maginhawa, at panatag. The terms
“stronglyrooted, comfortable, and secure” used
to describe the life envisioned by Filipinos by
2040 reveal middle-class aspirations.
Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2024
The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-
2022 is the first medium-term plan anchored on
the AmBisyon Natin 2040, consistent with
Executive Order No. 5, s. 2016. The priorities are
guided by the Duterte Administration’s 0 to 10-
point Socioeconomic Agenda, the regional
consultations conducted by the various
planning committees, and the social
development summits that culminated in the
2022 Agenda: Malasakit at Pagbabago. The goal
of the PDP 2017-2022 is to enable Filipinos to
attain a matatag, maginhawa at panatag na
buhay.
The Philippines will be an upper middle-income
country by 2022. In the medium term, GDP
growth is expected to strengthen further to 7-8
percent, in real terms. This means that the
economy will expand by about 50 percent by
2022 from its base in 2016. Per capita income
will increase from USD 3,550 in 2015 to at least
USD 5,000 in 2022.
Growth will be more inclusive as manifested by
a lower poverty incidence in the rural areas,
from 30 percent in 2015 to 20 percent in 2022.
Overall poverty rate will decline from 21.6
percent to 14.0 percent in 2022 – equivalent to
lifting about 6 million Filipinos out of poverty.
The proportion of subsistence poor individuals
will fall from 8.1 percent to 5.0 percent. Food
inflation will also be
closely monitored, to serve as an early warning
indicator on the welfare of the poor. It should
not go beyond the bounds set for overall
inflation, which is at 2 to 4 percent.
3. The Philippines will have a high level of
human development by 2022. This will be
supported by improvements in education and
health outcomes and the significant increase in
incomes.
4. The unemployment rate will decline from the
current 5.5 percent to 3-5 percent in 2022.
Assuming a slight increase in labor force
participation rate to 64.1 percent, this implies
that 950,000 to 1.1 million new jobs will be
generated per year. Youth unemployment rate
will decline to about 8 percent from the current
11 percent. In areas outside NCR (AONCR),
emphasis will be on improving the quality of
employment. The underemployment rate in
AONCR will be reduced to 16-18 percent by
2022.
5. There will be greater trust in government and
in society. The indicators for this will need to be
developed and then measured by the Philippine
Statistics Authority for 2017 and 2022.
6. Individuals and communities will be more
resilient. It should be noted that the Philippines
ranks fourth in terms of number of natural
calamities faced in 1995-2015. This is on top of
risks from human-induced hazards like
ideologically motivated conflict, criminality,
house fires, etc. Building up resilience involves
reducing exposure to hazards, mitigating the
impact of the risks, and accelerating recovery if
and when the risk materializes. An index will be
developed, considering the interplay of these
three components; data will be collected to
estimate the baseline (2018) value and the
value in 2022.
7. Filipinos will have greater drive for
innovation. As measured by the Global
Innovation Index, the Philippines will rank
among the top one-third by 2022 from being in
the top 60 percentile (74 out of 128 economies)
in 2016. More individuals will be encouraged to
obtain knowledge or acquire skills and
expertise. There will be more of the youth and
adults (aged 15 and up) who will be engaged in
employment, education, or training.
The Philippine Development Plan (PDP), the
present government’s strategic plan to startup
achieving the AmBisyon Natin 2040, is
anchored on three values:
Malasakit. Regain people’s trust in public
institutions and cultivate trust among fellow
Flipinos.
Pagbabago. Inequality-reducing transformation
through increasing opportunities for growth of
output and income.
Kaunlaran. Increasing potential growth through
sustaining and accelerating economic growth.
The HNRDA is divided into five (5) sectors, each
having identified priority areas and programs.
1. National Integrated Basic Research Agenda
(NIBRA) In-charge: National Research Council of
the Philippines (NRCP)
2. Health In-charge: Philippine Council for
Health Research and Development (PCHRD)
3. Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources
(AANR) In-charge: Philippine Council for
Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources
Research and Development (PCAARRD)
4. Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology
In-charge: Philippine Council for Industry,
Energy and Emerging Technology Research and
Development (PCIEERD).
5. Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change
Adaptation (DRR CCA) In-charge: Philippine
Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
(PHIVOLCS) and Philippine Atmospheric
Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA)
The Human Person flourishing in terms of
science and technology (Part I)
Heidegger was one of the most influential
philosophers of the 20th century. Technology
was an important element in his work: for
Heidegger, technology was the key to
understanding our current time.
Three claims
As we just heard, Heidegger’s analysis of
technology in The Question Concerning
Technology consists of three main ‘claims’:
(1) technology is “not an instrument”, it is a way
of understanding the world;
(2) technology is “not a human activity”, but
develops beyond human control; and
(3) technology is “the highest danger”, risking us
to only see the world through technological
thinking
“Technology is not equivalent to the essence of
technology. When we are seeking the essence
of “tree,” we have to become aware that that
which pervades every tree, as tree, is not itself a
tree that can be encountered among all the
other trees.
Technology has become a subject of
philosophers. To this day, there are several
philosophical views on technology. They
include:
Aristotelianism (Aristotle) According to
Aristotle, technology is basically a means to an
end. It is organizing techniques in order to meet
the demand that is being posed by humans. It is
primarily concerned with the product and will
be judged as either good or bad based on the
value given to the product which is based on its
use and effect to the society.
Aristotle’s Four Causes
1. Causa Materialis or the Material Cause – the
material by which it is made of
2. Causa Formalis or the Formal Cause – the
form or shape of the material
3. Causa Finalis or the Final Cause – the
purpose or the primary use of the material
4. Causa Efficiens or the Efficient Cause – the
agent that has caused for the material to come
about
2. Technological Pessimism (Jacques Ellul –
French Philosopher, 1912-1994) Ellul believes
that technology has become a way of life. The
said techniques have become a framework
which humans cannot escape. He has several
pessimistic arguments, such as technology
progress having a price to pay, it creates more
problems, damaging effects, and as well as
unpredictable devastating effects.
3. Technological Optimism (strongly supported
by technologists and engineers) If there is a
pessimist side, then there is also the optimist
side. This philosophy believes that technology
can alleviate all the difficulties and provide
solutions for problems that may come.
Technological problems may rise but technology
will still be the solution. Technology is the
supreme authority on everything.
4. Existentialism (Martin Heidegger) This is the
view on the article read above in the activity.
This view basically investigates on the meaning
of existence or being and is always faced with
the selection one must make with which the
existent will commit himself to. It believes that
the real essence of technology lies in
“enframing” - the gathering of the setting which
challenges man to bring the unconcealed to
unconcealment. In other words, technology is a
way of revealing.
Martin Heidegger’s Views on Technology
Martin Heidegger (1889-1996) is a well-known
German philosopher. He questioned the
Aristotelian and Ellulian definitions of
technology (a means to an end, a human
activity). Technology has been instrumentally
viewed as the same in all periods of time,
geared towards meeting a human need.
For modern technology, Heidegger viewed it as
being revealed by challenging nature instead of
bringing forth. it is setting upon challenges or
demands on nature in order to a) unlock and
expose, carrying the idea that nature will not
reveal itself unless challenge is set upon it; and
b) stock pile for future use, aiming to meet the
future demands.
The Human Person flourishing in terms of
science and technology (Part II)
Forget ‘developing’ poor countries, it’s time to
‘de-develop’ rich countries By Jason Hickel
This week, heads of state are gathering in New
York to sign the UN’s new sustainable
development goals (SDGs). The main objective
is to eradicate poverty by 2030. Beyoncé, One
Direction and Malala are on board. It’s set to be
a monumental international celebration.
The idea of “de-developing” rich countries
might prove to be a strong rallying cry in the
global south, but it will be tricky to sell to
westerners. Tricky, but not impossible.
According to recent consumer research, 70% of
people in middle- and high-income countries
believe overconsumption is putting our planet
and society at risk. A similar majority also
believe we should strive to buy and own less,
and that doing so would not compromise our
happiness. People sense there is something
wrong with the dominant model of economic
progress and they are hungry for an alternative
narrative.
Human flourishing is defined as an effort to
achieve self-actualization and fulfilment within
the context of a larger community of
individuals, each with the right to pursue his or
her own such efforts. Humans, just like all
organisms, have innate abilities and
characteristics that let them sustain their
function and survive in a given environment.
But in the very center of human being is an
unexplainable thirst for happiness, serenity, and
fulfilment. This unquenchable thirst towards
indefinite bounds of life can only be sufficed
once fulfilled. Why? What is our ultimate desire
for living?
The Greek philosopher Aristotle suggested that
each man’s life has a purpose, and the the
function of one’s life is to attain that purpose.
Happiness is the highest desire and ambition of
all human beings. To achieve it, one must
cultivate the highest virtues within one’s self.
Aristotle believed that human beings have a
natural desire and capacity to know and
understand the truth, to pursue moral
excellence, and to instantiate their ideals in the
world through action. These actions are geared
towards one’s proper and desired end -
flourishing, happiness, or “eudaimonia”- a
Greek word which refers to a state of having a
good indwelling spirit, or being in a contented
state of being healthy, happy and prosperous.
That is our ultimate desire for living.
The Good Life
Living the good life can mean something
different for everyone. However, there is still a
general understanding of what this idea entails
to most human beings living in the modern
world. It is evident, however, that man’s
personal decision and ideas – on progress,
happiness, beliefs, expectations, attitudes, and
feelings – are directly affected by convenience
and benefits brought about by science and
technology (Dotson, 2012).
“The good life is a process, not a state of being.
It is a direction, not a destination.” Carl Rogers,
American Psychologist (1902-1907)
The meaning of this term up to the present
times remains vague. Philosophers and thinkers
like Plato, Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, and
Friedrich Nietzche once made the question of
the good life central to their philosophy.
Similarly, questions such as, “Is a meaningful
life also a happy one?” and “Is living with
happiness, means living a good life?” are still
parts of the debates even among the
philosophers.
Socrates, who said, “the unexamined life is not
worth living for”.
The idea however, of worth living should be
filtered with experience and vice-versa.
Aristotle viewed the” good life as a life of
relationships.”
It is man’s nature to seek good life with and for
others rather than experiencing it by himself.
He further elucidated the idea of relating the
essence of happiness to achieving well-being
and experiencing good life.
Steve Mueller “…a (desirable) state that is
primarily characterized by a high standard of
living or the adherence to ethical and moral
laws… As such, the term can both be
understood as the quest for wealth, material
possession or luxuries and the quest to create a
worthwhile, honest and meaningful existence.”
Martin Heidegger who dealt more on how we
live an “authentic life” rather dealing with the
“good life”.
Living an authentic life means living with deep
acceptance on the facticity of “death” and
resulting to a “life lived according to what it has
clearly decided as its meaning and purpose.”
(Corpuz, B. et al., 2016)

Ten Golden Rules by Michael Soupios and Panos
Mourdoukoutas
1. Examine life, engage life with vengeance;
always search for new pleasures and new
destinies with your mind. Living life is about
examining life through reason which is nature’s
greatest gift to humanity. Reason lets human
beings participate in life; to be human is to
think, appraise, and explore the world,
discovering new sources of material and
spiritual pleasure.
2. Worry only about the things that are in your
control, the things that can be influenced and
changed by your actions, not about the things
that are beyond your capacity to direct or
alter. Since people cannot control all of the
outcomes they seek in life, they certainly can
control the responses to these outcomes which
lies to their potential for a life that is both
happy and fulfilled.
3. Treasure friendship, the reciprocal
attachment that fills the need for affiliation.
Friendship cannot be acquired in the
marketplace but must be nurtured and
treasured in relations imbued with trust and
amity.
4. Experience true pleasure. Avoid shallow and
transient pleasures. Keep your life simple. Seek
calming pleasures that contribute to peace of
mind. True pleasure is disciplined and
restrained.
5. Master yourself. Resist any external force
that might delimit thought and action. Stop
deceiving yourself, believing only what is
personally useful and convenient. Complete
liberty necessitates a struggle within, a battle to
subdue negative psychological and spiritual
forces that preclude a healthy existence. Self-
mastery requires ruthless candor.
6. Avoid excess. Live life in harmony and
balance. Avoid excesses. Even good things
pursued or attained without moderation can
become a source of misery and suffering.
7. Be a responsible human being. Approach
yourself with honesty and thoroughness.
Maintain a kind of spiritual hygiene. Stop the
blame-shifting for your errors and
shortcomings. Be honest with yourself and be
prepared to assume responsibility and accept
consequences.
8. Don’t be a prosperous fool. Prosperity by
itself is not a cure-all against an ill-led life and
may be a source of dangerous foolishness.
Money is necessary but not a sufficient
condition for the good life.
9. Don’t do evil to others. Evildoing is a
dangerous habit, a kind of reflex too quickly
resorted to and too easily justified that has a
lasting and damaging effect upon the quest for
the good life. Harming others claims two victims
– the receiver of the harm and the victimizer,
the one who does harm.
10. Kindness towards others tends to be
rewarded. Kindness to others is a good habit
that supports and reinforces the quest for the
good life. Helping others bestows a sense of
satisfaction that has two beneficiaries – the
beneficiary, the receiver of the help, and the
benefactor, the one who provides the help.
Five ‘Schools of Thought’ are provided in our
quest to attain happy and good life:
1. Materialism (Democritus and Leucippus).
Matter is what makes attain happiness. For
most people, material wealth would seem to be
the primary source of the meaning of their
existence.
2. Hedonism (Epicurus). Life is about obtaining
and indulging in pleasure because life is limited
and does not buy the notion of afterlife. Their
famous mantra is, ‘Eat, drink, and be merry for
tomorrow we die.’
3. Stoicism (Epicurus). To generate happiness,
one must learn to distance oneself and be
apathetic. In this world, we should adopt the
fact that some things are not within our control.
4. Theism. The ultimate basis of happiness for
theist is the communion with God. Most people
find the meaning of their lives using God as the
fulcrum of their existence.
5. Humanism. This school of thought espouses
the freedom of man to carve his own destiny
and to legislate his laws, free from the shackles
of God to monitor and control. For humanists,
man is the captain of his own ship. They see
themselves not merely as stewards of the
creation but as individuals who are in control of
themselves and the world outside them.
When technology and humanity cross
The ethical dilemmas of robotics1 by Dylan
Evans
If the idea of robot ethics sounds like
something out of science fiction, think again,
writes Dylan Evans.
Experts in South Korea said they were drawing
up an ethical code to prevent humans abusing
robots, and vice versa.
European Robotics Network (Euron) - group
leading roboticists.
Top of their list is SAFETY.
Software robots - basically, just complicated
computer programmes - already make
important financial decisions.
Whose fault is it if they make a bad
investment?
Isaac Asimov was already thinking about these
problems back in the 1940s, when he developed
his famous "three laws of robotics."
He argued that intelligent robots should all be
programmed to obey the following three laws:
• A robot may not injure a human being, or,
through inaction, allow a human being to come
to harm
• A robot must obey the orders given it by
human beings except where such orders would
conflict with the First Law
• A robot must protect its own existence as long
as such protection does not conflict with the
First or Second Law
These three laws may appear to be a good way
to keep robots from causing harm to humans.
However, to a roboticist, they create more
problems than they solve. Indeed, programming
a real robot to obey the three laws would be
extremely difficult.
ROBOT RIGHT
If robots can feel pain, should they be granted
certain rights?
If robots develop emotions, as some experts
think they will, should they be allowed to marry
humans?
Should they be allowed to own property?
David Hanson, an American scientist who once
worked for Disney, has developed a novel form
of artificial skin that bunches and wrinkles just
like human skin, and the robot heads he covers
in this can smile, frown, and grimace in very
human-like ways.
These robots are specifically designed to
encourage human beings to form emotional
attachments to them. From a commercial point
of view, this is a perfectly legitimate way of
increasing sales. But the ethics of robot-human
interaction are more murky.
Jaron Lanier, an internet pioneer, has warned of
the dangers such technology poses to our sense
of our own humanity. If we see machines as
increasingly human-like, will we come to see
ourselves as more machine-like?

Lanier talks of the dangers of "widening the

moral circle" too much.

If we grant rights to more and more entities

besides ourselves, will we dilute our sense of
our own specialness?

This kind of speculation may miss the point,

however. More pressing moral questions

Because we have become dependent on mobile

are already being raised by the increasing use of phones for our everyday life, the quality of life
robots in the military. has become fast-paced, just like mobile phones.
Everything now needs to run in one click. We
It is an E.M.I.G.L.I.O. Robot, version 2015. expect immediate reply when we communicate
through email, text, or messaging. Our
In the article you read above, “The ethical
deadlines became shorter, like minutes or days,
dilemmas of robotics,” it talked about how
not even weeks. Everything has become virtual,
people, especially in first world countries, or
even our social life! Before, we’d like to meet
those with the most advanced technologies like
people in schools, parties, church gatherings,
robots, have come to a point where they are
and various places. Now, we meet people
already emotionally attached with robots. Thus,
online. We can follow a person’s life wherever
they insist that robots should be given human
on earth s/he lives. We can now gather a lot of
rights, too, and be treated with moral and
information in just a short span of time. But
ethical values like humans. How did this come
together with this automation and virtuality,
to be?
threats to life also came out, such as privacy
But what if a “sentient” robot (as the article breach, distracted driving, phishing, and many
described), a robot capable of showing others, even including health risk through
emotions: it can cry, laugh, or say sweet things radiation.
we’d love to hear – had been developed and
made affordable in the Philippines, will we
Filipinos eagerly get one for ourselves? Will you
get one?