Unit II

Science and Technology and

the Human Condition
Lesson 4 – The Human Person
Flourishing in Terms of Science
and Technology
 “Flourishing”
 a state where people experience positive emotions,
positive psychological and social condition, and most of the
time," living "within an optimal range of overall human
functioning"
 “Human Flourishing”
 an effort of humans to achieve self-actualization and
fulfillment within the context of a larger community of
individuals, each with the right to pursue his or her own
purpose and interests.
Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
 “Eudaimonia”
– term coined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle
– to describe the pinnacle of happiness that is attainable
by humans
– meaning: “good spirited“
– this has often been translated into “human flourishing” in
literature, likening humans to flowers achieving their full
bloom
 Aristotle’s human flourishing arises as a result of:
 phronesis (wisdom or intelligence – taking the right decision or action)
 friendship
 wealth, and
 power

which brings happiness and in effect allows them to partake

in the greater notion of what we call the good.
 As time change, elements that comprise human
flourishing changed.
 People consider living more comfortably, explore more
places, and making more money as flourishing and
equal to having good life.
 Our concept of human flourishing today proves to be
different from what Aristotle originally perceived then –
humans of today are expected to become a “man of the
world”.
 Science and Technology contributes greatly to human
flourishing.
 Every discovery, innovation, inventions adds to our pool of
knowledge.
 The end goals of both science, technology and human
flourishing are related, in that the good is inherently related
to the truth.
Selected Views on Technology:
1. Aristotelianism
 Technology as a means to an end.
2. Technological Pessimism
 Technological Progress has: a price, creates more problems,
damaging effects, and unpredictable devastating effects.
3. Technological Optimism
 Technology can alleviate all the difficulties and provide solutions for
problems that may come.
4. Existentialism
 The real essence of technology lies in “enframing” – continuous
revealing.
Question:
How can you relate the different views of technology to these electronic
devices?
1. Television
2. Radio
3. Smartphones
4. Computer
5. Printer
6. Blender
7. Washing machine
8. Digital camera
9. Speaker
10. Refrigerator
Lesson 5 – The Good Life
“Good Life”
“Good Life”
 Socrates and Plato
 being a virtuous person
 Epicurus
 if we can experience pleasure
 Aristotle
 a happy life
“Good Life”
 Materialism view
 matter makes us attain happiness
 Stoicism
 happiness can only be attained by careful practice of apathy
 Theism
 communion with God is the ultimate basis of happiness
 Humanism
 man has his freedom to carve his destiny and the captain of
his own ship
The Benefits of Technology
1. Higher Living Standards
 new drugs, better medical attention, and improved
sanitation and nutrition
2. Opportunity for Choice
 greater range of products and services
3. More Leisure
 time for continuing education, the arts, social service,
sports, and participation in community life
4. Improved Communications
 radio, TV, computer networks
Question:

How does technology affect your standard of living?

How does your standard of living affect your choice of technology?

Lesson 6 – When Technology
and Humanity Cross
 Technological Devices and the Role they
Play in the Philippine Society
 Television
 Technological Devices and the Role they
Play in the Philippine Society
 Mobile Phones
 Technological Devices and the Role they
Play in the Philippine Society
 Personal Computers and Laptops
 Dilemmas with Technological
Advancements
 Ethical Dilemma
 Dilemmas with Technological
Advancements
 Moral Dilemma
 Robotics and Humanity
 Aerospace: This is a broad category. It includes all sorts of flying robots—the
SmartBird robotic seagull and the Raven surveillance drone, for example—but also
robots that can operate in space, such as Mars rovers and NASA's Robonaut, the
humanoid that flew to the International Space Station and is now back on Earth.
 Robotics and Humanity
 Consumer: Consumer robots are robots you can buy and use just for fun or to help
you with tasks and chores. Examples are the robot dog Aibo, the Roomba vacuum,
AI-powered robot assistants, and a growing variety of robotic toys and kits.
 Robotics and Humanity
 Disaster Response: These robots perform dangerous jobs like searching for
survivors in the aftermath of an emergency. For example, after an earthquake and
tsunami struck Japan in 2011, Packbots were used to inspect damage at the
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station.
Question:
How can you practice personal care with the use of technology?
SEATWORK:
Answer this question based on your honest opinion.
How can you retain all the good traits and values that you have
while enjoying technology?
Lesson 7 – Why the Future Does
Not Need Us
GROUP ASSIGNMENT:
Show five (5) evidences emphasizing your opinion on why or
why not the future need us. You may consider science facts to
strengthen your claims.