STS Course

S&T and the Human Condition

(Week 7-8) PART 1

It is suggested that the videos found in this link will be viewed before the synchronous class thru
this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb9giqDnSCG0inLiQcLyJOhG2_y8cHseP
 STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(Human Flourishing as Reflected in Progress and Development)
Learning Outcomes:

1. Critique human flourishing vis-à- vis the progress of S&T

2. Analyze the human condition in order to deeply reflect and express philosophical implications that are
meaningful to you as a part of society
3. Discuss the importance of upholding human rights in science, technology and development
4. Identify key documents and their principles that ensure the well-being of human rights in the midst of
scientific progress and technological development
5. Examine shared concerns that make up the good life in order to come up with informed decisions on
contemporary issues guided by ethical standards.
6. Analyze the human condition in order to deeply reflect and express philosophical implications that are
meaningful to you as a part of society
 STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
❑ A. The Good Life
• Nichomachean Ethics
• Eudaimonia: The Ultimate Good
• Arete and Human Happiness
❑ B. Human Person Flourishing in terms of S&T
• Martin Heidegger
• C.S. Lewis
• Jason Hickel Jason Hickel
Bill Joy
★ When Technology and Humanity Cross
• Why the future doesn't need us - Bill Joy

Martin Heidegger C.S. Lewis

Aristotle
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Nicomachean Ethics)

What is happiness?

In Psychology, happiness is a
To behaviorists, happiness is a
mental or emotional state of To neurologist, happiness is
cocktail of emotions we
well-being which can be define the experience of a flood of
experience when we do
by, among others, positive or hormones released in the brain
something goo or positive.
pleasant emotions ranging as a reward for behavior that
from contentment to intense prolongs survival.
joy.
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(Human Flourishing as Reflected in Progress and Development) Courtesy: NowThis World Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEKQYYhp3eE

Courtesy: Skerry Harry Youtube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5dDQL6Oqqk

Factors such as per capita gross domestic

product, healthy years of life expectancy, trust
and perceived freedom to make life choices
were all considered.
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(Human Flourishing as Reflected in Progress and Development)

According to the “World of Happiness report 2021,” the Philippines is ranked

number 61st for overall happiness within the country (United Nations
Sustainable Development Solutions network)
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(Human Flourishing as Reflected in Progress and Development)

Ten unhappiest nations

1) Burundi
2) Central African Republic
3) South Sudan
4) Tanzania
5) Yemen
6) Rwanda
7) Syria
8) Liberia
9) Haiti
10) Malawi
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Nicomachean Ethics)

❑ Is the most significant thinker and the most

accomplished individual who has ever lived.

❑ The teacher of those who know, defended

reason, invented logic, focused on reality, and
emphasized the importance of life on earth, in
Aristotle
which enabled science and technology to
(384-322 B.C) develop and flourish.

Source: http://www.quebecoislibre.org/031122-11.html Retrieved: October 6, 2020

STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Nicomachean Ethics)

What is happiness?
❑According to Aristotle, Happiness is the
ultimate end of human action.

❑Happiness defines a good life.

STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Nicomachean Ethics)

What is Aristotle’s view on Human Flourishing?

❑ Human flourishing (also known as personal flourishing),
involves the rational use of one’s individual human
potentials, including talents, abilities and virtues in the
pursuit of his freely and rationally chosen values and goals.

❑ Human flourishing is a moral accomplishment and fulfillment

of human capacities, and it is one through being the other.
Aristotle
(384-322 B.C) Self-actualization is a moral growth and vice-versa.

Source: http://www.quebecoislibre.org/031122-11.html Retrieved: October 6, 2020

STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Nicomachean Ethics)

What is Aristotle’s view on Human Flourishing?

❑ Human flourishing becomes an actuality when one
uses his practical reason to consider his unique needs,
circumstances, capabilities, and so on, to determine
which concrete instantiations of human values and
virtues will comprise his well-being.

Aristotle
❑ to flourishing, a man must pursue goals that are both
(384-322 B.C) rational for him individually and also as a human
being.
Source: http://www.quebecoislibre.org/031122-11.html Retrieved: October 6, 2020
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Nicomachean Ethics)

Aristotle viewed

❑Virtues are the means to values which enable us

to achieve human flourishing and happiness .
❑Self-direction (i.e autonomy) involves the use of
one’s reason and is central and necessary for
Aristotle
possibility of attaining human flourishing, self-
(384-322 B.C) esteem, and happiness.

Source: http://www.quebecoislibre.org/031122-11.html Retrieved: October 6, 2020

STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Nicomachean Ethics)

According to Aristotle

“Virtue,then, being of two kinds, intellectual and moral.

Intellectual virtue in the main owes its birth and growth
to teaching (for which reason it requires experience and
time), while Moral virtue comes about as a result of
habit.” (Nicomachean Ethics 2:1)
Aristotle
(384-322 B.C)

Source: http://www.quebecoislibre.org/031122-11.html Retrieved: October 6, 2020

STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Nicomachean Ethics)

Nichomachean Ethics
❑ It is a philosophical inquiry into the nature of the good life
for a human being
❑ Aristotle believed that the goal of all human life is to
achieve ultimate happiness
❑ Human instinct is characterized by achieving personal
fulfillment, thus leading to happiness
❑ Aristotle warns against going astray and “preferring a life
suitable to beasts” by assuming happiness and pleasure Aristotle
(384-322 B.C)
are equal
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Nicomachean Ethics)

Nichomachean Ethics
❑ Considers happiness as a final and self-sufficient, end of an
action.

❑ Aristotle maintains that life of contemplation and virtue is the

best and happiest life.

❑ According to Aristotle, “Happiness extends, then, just as far as

contemplation does, and those whom contemplation more fully Aristotle
(384-322 B.C)
belongs are more truly happy, not as a mere concomitant butin
virtue of the contemplation; for this is in itself precious.”
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Nicomachean Ethics)

Nichomachean Ethics

❑ For example, the activity of a God surpasses all others in

blessedness to which must be contemplative; and as human
activities corresponds to this, therefore, making this the most of
nature and happiness.

❑ Practical wisdom is linked with virtue of character and that

practical wisdom is in accordance with the moral virtues and
rightness morals with practical wisdom.
Aristotle
(384-322 B.C)
❑ The life of a man who is active in accordance with virtue will be
happy, as passion and moral virtues belong to our composite
nature.
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Eudaimonia-The Ultimate Good)

Eudaimonia

❑ Eudaimonia – a term that combines the Greek words for

“good” and “spirit” to describe the ideology; living well and
doing well

❑ Defines happiness as the pursuit of becoming a better

person

❑ Eudaimonists do this by challenging themselves Aristotle

(384-322 B.C)
intellectually or by engaging in activities that make them
spiritually richer people
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Eudaimonia-The Ultimate Good)

Eudaimonia

❑ According to Aristotle, there is an end of all of the actions that we

perform which we desire for itself – eudaimonia, flourishing, or
happiness, which is desired for its own sake with all other things
being desired on its account

❑ Eudaimonia is a property of one’s life when considered as a whole.

Flourishing is the highest good of human endeavors and than
toward which all actions aim. It is success as a human being. The
best life is one of excellent human activity Aristotle
(384-322 B.C)
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Arete and Human Happiness)

Arete
❑ It is Greek term which defined as “excellence of any
kind” and can also mean “moral virtue”.

❑ A virtue is what makes one function well.

❑ Aristotle suggested two types of virtue:

intellectual virtue and moral virtue Aristotle

(384-322 B.C)
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Arete and Human Happiness)

Arete

❑ Intellectual virtue or virtue of thought is achieved through

education, time, and experience.

❑ It is acquired through self-taught knowledge and skills as much as

those knowledge and skills taught and learned in formal instituions

❑ Key intellectual virtues are wisdom, which guides ethical behavior,

and understanding, which is gained from scientific endeavors and
contemplation Aristotle
(384-322 B.C)
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Arete and Human Happiness)

Arete

❑ Moral virtue or virtue of character is achieved through habitual

practice. It is like a skill..

❑ Some key moral virtues are generosity, temperance, and courage.

❑ Aristotle explained that although the capacity for intellectual virtue

is innate, it is brought into completion only by practice.

Aristotle
(384-322 B.C)
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Arete and Human Happiness)

Arete

❑ It is by repeatedly being unselfish that one develops the virtue of

generosity.

❑ It is by repeatedly resisting and foregoing every inviting opportunity

that one develops the virtue of temperance.

❑ It is by repeatedly exhibiting the proper action and emotional

response in the face of danger that one develops the virtue of
courage. Aristotle
(384-322 B.C)
STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Arete and Human Happiness)

Arete

❑ Both intellectual and moral virtue should be in accordance with

reason to achieve eudaimonia.

❑ A virtue is ruined by any excess and deficiency in how one lives and
acts.

❑ A balance between two extremes is a requisite of virtue

Aristotle
(384-322 B.C)
 STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Arete and Human Happiness)

According to Aristotle, how important are laws?

Section 3 (Nichomachean ethics):

● All lawful things are in some sense just.
● Laws deal with matters that are commonly expedient with respect to
virtue or honor
● The law orders us to perform the actions of a virtuous man through
certain commands and prohibitions.
Aristotle
(384-322 B.C)
 STS Course
S&T and the Human Condition:
(A. The Good Life: Arete and Human Happiness)

According to Aristotle, how important are laws?

● Good laws are necessary in order to make people virtuous

● Laws and proper education are necessarily especially for the
young, in order
○ to train their passions and desires to be in accord with
reason.
Since such a great number are not virtuous, laws are necessary not
just for the young, but for everyone.
Aristotle
(384-322 B.C)
STS Course

What is your “ take-away”?

STS Course

● In your opinion, what constitutes a good life?

● What does Aristotle say about the good life? Does it still stand
in the contemporary world?
● How is the progress of Science and Technology a movement
towards a good life?
 STS Course
Let us answer the following items
Part 1: Identify what is asked.
_____1. It is that which all things aim.
_____2. Means living well and doing well.
_____3. It is said to be the ultimate end of human action.
_____4. He is an Ancient Philosopher known for Nicomachean Ethics.
_____5. It is the constant practice of doing good, and excellence of character.

Part 2: Write TRUE if the statement is TRUE and FALSE if the statement is false.
_____6. It is by repeatedly exhibiting the proper action and emotional response in the face of
danger that one develops the virtue of courage.
_____7. It is by repeatedly being unselfish that one develops the virtue of generosity
_____8. Good laws are necessary in order to make people virtuous.
_____9. Both intellectual and moral virtue should be in accordance with reason to achieve
eudaimonia.
____10.Human flourishing is a moral accomplishment and fulfillment of human capacities
 STS Course
Let us answer the following items
Part 1: Identify what is asked.
_____1. It is that which all things aim. (good)
_____2. Means living well and doing well. (Happiness)
_____3. It is said to be the ultimate end of human action. (Eudaimonia)
_____4. He is an Ancient Philosopher known for Nicomachean Ethics. (Aristotle)
_____5. It is the constant practice of doing good, and excellence of character. (Virtue)

Part 2: Write TRUE if the statement is TRUE and FALSE if the statement is false.
_____6. It is by repeatedly exhibiting the proper action and emotional response in the face of
danger that one develops the virtue of courage. (TRUE)
_____7. It is by repeatedly being unselfish that one develops the virtue of generosity. (TRUE)
_____8. Good laws are necessary in order to make people virtuous. (TRUE)
_____9. Both intellectual and moral virtue should be in accordance with reason to achieve
eudaimonia. (TRUE)
____10.Human flourishing is a moral accomplishment and fulfillment of human capacities (TRUE)
 STS Course
References

1. Dr. Edward Younkins is a Professor of Accountancy and Business Administration at Wheeling Jesuit University in West
Virginia.
2. Date Retrieved: October 6, 2020
3. Martin Heidegger: The Questions of Technology:
https://www2.hawaii.edu/~freeman/courses/phil394/he%20Question%20Concerning%20Technology.pdf Date
Retrieved:October 5, 2020
4. Jason Hickel’s Forget 'developing' poor countries, it's time to 'de-develop
'rich countries: https://www.theguardian.com/global- development-professionals-network/2015/sep/23/developing-poor-
countries- de-develop-rich-countries-sdgs
5. About CS Lewis https://www.cslewis.com/us/about-cs-lewis
6. CS Lewis: The Magician’s Twin:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPeyJvXU68k
7. Village of the Watermills by Akira Kurosawa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK4mtPQ_THM Date retrieved;
October 10, 2020
8. Human flourishing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0 cGi72MnVM
9. The nature of Science and Technology and Society: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idu6-cF42NA
10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4--OcOMaWZU
11. https://iep.utm.edu/heidegge/ retrieved October 5, 2020
STS
Course

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