Isabela State University

Echague, Isabela
College of Arts and Sciences

GEC 6
Science, Technology
and Society

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 Table of Contents

Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
Chapter 1: The Nature and Relationships of Science, Technology and Society--------------3-6
Chapter 1.1.2 Characteristics of Science & Technology :Scientific Method------------------7-9
Chapter 1.1.3 Characteristics of Science & Technology: Scientific Traits and Values-----10
Chapter 1.2 History of Science and Technology -------------------------------------------------15-25
Chapter 1.3 Intellectual Revolutions --------------------------------------------------------------26-33
Chapter 1.4 . Science and Technology and Nation Building-----------------------------------34-39
Chapter 2. Recent Advances and Trends in Science and Technology ------------------------40
Chapter 2.1 The Information Age -------------------------------------------------------------------41-44
Chapter 2.2 The Nano World ------------------------------------------------------------------------45- 49
Chapter 2.3 Biodiversity and the Healthy Society-----------------------------------------------50- 60
Chapter 2.4 Biotechnology--------------------------------------------------------------------------61-85
Chapter 2.6 Gene Therapy--------------------------------------------------------------------------86-88
Chapter 2.7 Climate Change and the Energy Crisis --------------------------------------------89-96

Chapter 3: Specific Issues and Concerns on Science and Technology

and its impact to the Society----------------------------------------------------------97
Chapter 3.1 Ethical -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------98-108
Chapter 3.2 Socio-Political --------------------------------------------------------------------------117-
122
Chapter 3.3 Economic--------------------------------------------------------------------------------123-
133

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 Introduction

In this module we are going to deal with the interactions between science
and technology and social, cultural, political, and economic contexts that shape
and are shaped by them.

This interdisciplinary course will push you to confront the realities brought
about by science and technology in society. Such realities pervade the personal,
the public, and the global aspects of our living and are integral to human
development.

Scientific knowledge and technological development happen in the context

of society with all its socio-political, cultural, economic, and philosophical
underpinnings at play. This module seeks to instill reflective knowledge in you in
the hopes that you will be able to live the good life and display ethical decision
making in the face of scientific and technological advancement. This module also
includes mandatory topics on climate change and environmental awareness.

At the end of this module you are expected to have sufficient knowledge on
the impacts of science and technology, specifically in the Philippine society;
explain how science and technology affect society and the environment and its
role in in nation-building; analyze the human condition in order to deeply reflect
and express philosophical ramifications that are meaningful to you as a part of
society; and define and demonstrate the impact of social media on your life and
Philippine society in general.

You are also expected to creatively present the importance and

contributions of science and technology to society; examine shared concerns that
make up the good life in order to come up with innovative and creative solutions
to contemporary issues guided by ethical standards; and illustrate how the social
media and information age impact your life and your understanding of climate
change.

It is also anticipated that at the end of this module you will imbibe the
importance of science and technology in the preservation of the environment and
the development of the Filipino nation; examine shared concerns that make up
the good life in order to come up with innovative and creative solutions to
contemporary issues guided by ethical standards; and lastly, illustrate how the
social media and information age impact your life and the understanding of
climate change.

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 Chapter 1: The Nature and Relationships of
Science, Technology and Society

From the ancient past to the modern present, the significant contribution and
effects of science and technology to the society is traceable. As Russel (2016 ) said,
we are in the middle of race where we struggle between the advantages and
disadvantages brought about science. Look at the clothes that you are wearing. Think
of the ways by which you get your food. Look at your home. These things prove how
science and technology affects our lives. Science and technology are very important to
humans. It affects the way we live. Our lives are more comfortable because of
electricity and appliances that help us do our work.

Learning Outcomes:

 Identify the importance of studying science, technology, and society;

 Explain how science and technology relates to a problem of societal concern;
and
 Develop a deeper interest in the field of science, technology and society.
 Define and Analyze the process of Scientific Method, Scientific Processes, and
Scientific Traits and Values.
What is Science?
 
Science came from the Latin word “scientia” which means “knowledge”. Science has
traditionally been defined as an organized and systematized body of knowledge based
on facts. These facts are determined by an exact set of procedures popularly known as
scientific method.
 
Scientists’ definition of science:
 
G. Gore (1878) - science is the interpretation of nature and man is the interpreter.
A. Einstein (1940) - science is the attempts to make the chaotic diversity of our sense
experience correspond to a logically uniform system of thought.
Calleja (1987) – science is a scholarly activity whose province is the material world
including man, but excluding his non-biological activities.
Huxley (1974) – science is common sense…the necessary mode of working of the human
mind
Zimman (1976) – deplored that science is viewed as the product of the mind that tends
to ignore the body
Simpson (1974) – science is not a body of facts, not a method or a technique…science
is, or perhaps has, certainly a point of view, as systematic orientation, application to all
material aspects of our world, in everyone’s daily activities as well as in a laboratory.
Posadas (1982) – science is the dynamic cumulative system of verifiable concepts,
principles, methods, laws, theories and processes which seek to describe, understand
and predict natural phenomena.
Caoili (1968) – science is an activity concerned with the systematic understanding and
explanation of the laws of nature, centering on research toward discovery or production
of new knowledge as the end result.
Campbell (1974) – science is the study of those judgments concerning which universal
agreement can be obtained.
 

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 Chapter 1: The Nature and Relationships of Science,
Technology and Society

Chapter 1.1.a. Characteristics of Science Technology and Society

DEFINITIONS OF SCIENCE

1. SCIENCE IS A PROCESS

a. Concerned with discovering relationships between observable phenomena in terms of

theories.
b. Systematized theoretical inquiries
c. It seeks for truth about nature.
d. It is determined by observation, hypothesis, measurement, analysis and experimentation
e. It is the description and explanation of the development of knowledge
f. It is the study of the beginning and end of everything that exist.
g. Conceptualization of new ideas, from the abstract to the particular.
h. Kind of human cultural activity.
 
2. SCIENCE IS A PRODUCT

a. Systematized, organized body of knowledge based on facts or truths observations.

b. A set of logical and empirical methods which provide for the systematic observation of
empirical phenomena.
c. Source of cognitive authority.
d. Concerned with verifiable concepts
e. A product of the mind
f. It is the variety of knowledge, people, skills, organizations, facilities, techniques, physical
resources, methods and technologies that taken together and in relation with one another.

Science is our most effective way of understanding the natural world. All science
involves some form of observation or experiment, and some sort of theorizing about
how to explain the evidence collected. Clearly, science is a product of human
curiosity.
 
Why are we curious?
It is almost an instinct for us humans to try to understand what our senses
perceived because of our highly developed mental skills. These are the mental skills to
observe, infer, measure, classify, experiment, and to communicate. Through the ages, our
ancestors learned to use these skills in a methodical manner to investigate the ‘how,’ the
‘why,’ and the ‘when’ of natural events. This methodical manner to our mental skills to
satisfy human curiosity is the scientific method.
 
What sets the limitation of science?
Science is a product of the human senses and the human mind and that is why
there could be no science in the absence of an intelligent being like a human or any other
intelligent creature like him. And therein lies the limitation of science; the limitation of the
human senses and the limitation of the human mind. We cannot investigate what our
senses cannot perceive, and we cannot explain beyond what our human mind can
understand. As a matter of fact, the optical and the electron microscope, the optical and
radio telescopes, and all the other new scientific instruments are but the result of our
attempts to extend our sense of perception.
 

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 Chapter 1: The Nature and Relationships of Science,
Technology and Society

What is Technology?
 
The world technology is believed to be Greek in origin. It is derived from “techne” which
means art, and “technologia” which literally means systematic treatment. Many people regard
technology as simply applied science. In their view, scientists produce knowledge and then
technologists turn it into important products and devices, such as computers and spacecraft.
 
1. Scribner-Bantan English Dictionary (1979) – technology is defined as (1) science of industrial
arts and manufacture; (2) applied science; (3) all the means employed by a social group for
material comforts.

2. Posadas (1982) – defined technology as the system of know-how, skills, techniques and
processes which enable societies to produce, distribute, install, maintain or improve goods and
services need to satisfy human needs.
3. Bridgstock (1998) - technology as a body of skills and knowledge by which we control and
modify the world
 
DEFINITIONS OF TECHNOLOGY
 
On the same view, technology is defined as both a PROCESS and a PRODUCT
1. TECHNOLOGY AS A PROCESS
a. It is the application of science.
b. The practice, description, and terminology of applied sciences.
c. The intelligent organization and manipulation of materials for useful purposes.
d. The means employed to provide for human needs and wants.
e. Focused on inventing new or better tools and materials or new and better ways of doing things.
f. A way of using findings of science to produce new things for a better way of living.
g. Search for concrete solutions that work and give wanted results.
h. It is characteristically calculative and imitative, tends to be dangerously manipulative.
i. Form of human cultural activity.
 
2. TECHNOLOGY AS A PRODUCT
a. A system of know-how, skills, techniques and processes.
b. It is like a language, rituals, values, commerce and arts, it is an intrinsic part of a cultural
system and it both shapes and reflects the system values.
c. It is the product of the scientific concept.
d. The complex combination of knowledge, materials and methods.
e. Material products of human making or fabrication.
f. Total societal enterprise.
 
Technology is any activity and/or product thereof that tends to increase man’s chances of
survival.
 
Is technology a part of science? The little we understood about nature we were able to use to
develop technologies that enabled us to survive and progress; and to be the most dominant
animal species on earth. But technology is not science. Science only seeks to understand nature,
no more no less; technology is but the application of what science has discovered, for better for
worst. That is why usefulness is not a prerequisite to the generation of knowledge; on the
contrary, usefulness is the primary prerequisite to the generation of technology.
 

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 Chapter 1: The Nature and Relationships of Science,
Technology and Society

What is Society?
 
According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, a society is an aggregate of people living
together in a more or less ordered community. It is a community of people living in a
particular country or region and having shared customs, laws, and organizations.
 
Relationships of Science, Technology and Society
 
What is STS?
 
Science-Technology-Society (STS) education addresses the need for a more scientifically and
technologically literate citizenry in such a way that will enable our future citizens to make
informed and responsible decision which will not only affect their own lives but the
sustainability of the planet Earth as we know it.
 
Importance of STS
 
Most people would agree that science and technology are of great importance in the
world today. It is equally clear that science can alter our entire conception of ourselves and
our place in the universe. The most famous instance of this was the series of events known as
the Scientific Revolution. During this turbulent time in the sixteenth and seventeenth
centuries, Galileo and other scientists began to argue that the Earth was not at the center of
the universe, but whirled on its own axis, and orbited around the Sun.
 
DEFINITIONS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
 
1. A field of endeavor upon which a two-way interaction operates between science and
technology.
2. Interdependent and overlapping methods which employ both existing knowledge and
existing know-how.
3. A system of know-how, skills, techniques and processes which enable society to produce,
distribute, install, maintain or improve goods and services needed to satisfy human needs.
4. Is an interdisciplinary field of study that seeks to explore and understand the many ways
that modern science and technology shape modern culture, values and institutions, and how
modern values shape science and technology.
 
PURPOSES OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
 
1. To improve quality of human condition.
2. To provide solution to our practical problems.
3. To establish relevant institutional linkages and essential mechanisms
4. To develop individual knowledge.
5. To find order in the chaos of nature and deliver personal and social liberation
6. To give an information and explanation of the natural world
7. To develop new areas of knowledge
8. To combat irrationality.
9. To maintain the availability of natural resources
 

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 Chapter 1: The Nature and Relationships of Science,
Technology and Society

 LIMITATIONS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 
1. Epistemological concerns. It cannot help us with questions about the God, the ultimate
Good, and Truth. It cannot deny nor confirm the existence of God, soul, heaven and
other uncertainties.
2. Metaphysical concerns. Immaterial and transcendental nature is beyond the grasp of
scientific inquiry. It cannot speak to issues of ultimate origin, meaning, or morality.
3. Axiological concerns. It cannot answer questions about value.
4.Dependent on the values and personal beliefs of those who use it.
5. Use of natural resources that are being used in science and technology are limited
6. Data is limited to the physically observable.
7. Ultimately rest on past observations
8. Not all of its principles are applicable to different world phenomena.
9. Needs human intervention to carry out its functions properly
10. It can predict forces of nature but it cannot prevent the prevent the prevalence/occurrence
11. Can not guarantee an ultimate solution to any specific problem.
12. Can not fully explain what is in the mind of a person.
 
There is a responsibility for all people to have some awareness of how science and
technology work. Science and technology are changing every aspect of our lives, all the time. No
one in the contemporary world is untouched, and the greater our understanding of what is
happening, the greater our ability to ensure that science and technology are used in ways
which benefit the human race, rather than leading to our destruction.

SCIENCE VS. TECHNOLOGY

  Science Technology

Definition Dynamic, cumulative system of Dynamic, cumulative system of

verifiable concepts gained from reproducible methods and processes
understanding natural for modifying the world
phenomena
Aim/Purpose Discover and describe natural Concerned with improving human
phenomena; obtain new life; application of scientific
knowledge and know-why knowledge and know-how

Core Activity Scientific Research – acquisition Development – transforming

of knowledge through pure, research findings and scientific
applied or oriented research knowledge into practical utility and
inventions

RELATIONSHIPS OF STS

STS

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Chapter 1.1.b Characteristics of Science & Technology
Scientific Method

Scientific method

a process or sequence of activities undertaken to gather information and to come to

conclusions about the natural world.
Why one deliberately engages in the scientific method?
2. desire to produce material for economic gains.

1. Making Observations and Gathering Knowledge About A Phenomenon (Initial Observation,

Recognition of a Problem and Defining It, Further Observation and Expanding Knowledge)

- The prefix "super" means "above." So supernatural means "above (or beyond) the natural." The
toolbox of a scientist contains only the natural laws of the universe; supernatural questions are
outside their reach. 
- Man has the inherent capacity to observe the things around him. Careful observation could make
one recognize that there is a problem or a phenomenon that is worthy of further attention and
study. After initial observations, details not previously observed can be determined using
instrumentation. Search and review of related literature (books, scientific journals, online sources,
etc.) should also be undertaken to learn more about the problem.

2. Formulation of Hypothesis (Use of inductive reasoning to provide a tentative solution to the

problem)

- Scientists use generalizations to come up with a hypothesis, which is an intelligent guess that is a
possible explanation for a natural event. The hypothesis is presented as an actual statement and
must be testable.
- In the development and proving of hypotheses, scientists use inductive and deductive logic

- Inductive logic involves arriving at a probable conclusion based on several samplings.

- Example:
a person tasted a green mango and found it sour and slightly tangy to the taste buds. Then he
subsequently tasted 24 other mangoes and found the same result. Based on the these 25
samplings, he may then conclude that all green mangoes are sour and tangy to the taste.
- Inductive logic thus proceeds from several specific observations to a generalization
- Cell Theory, the Theory of Biological Evolution by Natural Selection, and the theory of plate
tectonics, all these are generalizations arrived at by inductive reasoning.

- Deductive logic proceeds from a generalization to specifics.

- Example:
- After testing 25 green mangoes and finding them sour and tangy, one may hypothesize that
the next mango he will taste will be sour and tangy. This kind of reasoning is used to
formulate a new hypothesis after a generalization.
- The scientists may further formulate a new hypothesis using deductive logic. If 25 green
mangoes are sour and tangy, then the next green mango I will taste should be sour and
tangy. If indeed the mango tasted sour and tangy, then the validity of the original
generalization has gained greater probability (or credibility). Thus, the scientific procedure;
or science progress by the interplay of inductive and deductive reasoning.

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3. Testing of Hypothesis (Experimentation and Conduct of Further Observations)
- In this phase, the scientist uses deductive reasoning involving the “if, then” logic. Foresight or the
capability to predict what will happen next is necessary to guide the scientist on how to go about
his experiment. The scientist must come up with an experimental design that will make him
generate meaningful results. Usually a “control” or “control group” is set up side by side with
the experimental group. This contains all components and undergoes all parts of the experiment
except for the factor being tested.
- In any experiment, we can really only test one thing at a time. So we try to control all the variables
except one that we will change.
- Independent variable = the variable that you change during the experiment
- Dependent variable = the variable that you observe changes in (depends on the
independent variable)

4. Experimentation
- Your experiment tests whether your hypothesis is true or false.
- It is important that the test is fair:
- You change ONLY ONE variable at a time, keeping all others the same (constant).
- You should repeat your experiment several times to make sure your results weren’t just an
accident.
- Good precision = at least 3 trials

5. Drawing of Conclusion (Analysis of Data to Determine whether the Hypothesis is Supported or Not,
Publication of Results)
- Data are results of the experiment which may lead one to accept or reject the hypothesis initially
formulated. These should be observable and objective. Mathematical data are usually presented
in tabulated and graphical forms and may require statistical analysis to confirm validity or
significance.
- A conclusion is the answer to the problem and based on a supported hypothesis. Science is a
progressive process such that the conclusion of one experiment can lead to the hypothesis for
another experiment. The results that do not support the hypothesis may be used by scientists to
formulate another hypothesis to be tested.
- Conclusions from many different but related experiments may lead to the development of a
Scientific Theory, a general concept about the natural world.
- A theory, therefore, is a hypothesis that has been repeatedly and extensively tested and always
found to be true. However, no theory in science is ever absolutely and finally proven. Scientists
should be ready to alter or even abandon their most cherished generalizations when new facts
contradict them (Keeton and McFadden, 1983).

From Scientific Knowledge to Technology

 
1. J. Watt’s invention of the condensation steam engine that was a prime mover of transport and
industry, was made possible by the concept of latent heat discovery of J. Black.
2. London’s synthetic dye industry came from the accidental of aniline dye magenta by W. Perkins
attempt to synthesize quinine.
3.Hermann von Helmholtz’s study on sound waves inspired A. Graham Bell to create the telephone.
4. The electrical industry owes much to the works of H.C. Oersted on magnetic fields produced by
electric currents which was used by A. Volta who invented electrical batteries.
5. The dynamo, alternator and transformer were made based from the works of M. Faraday on
interrelated concepts of motion, magnetism and electricity.

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Chapter 1.1.c Characteristics of Science & Technology
Scientific Processes

Scientific Processes

Basic Science Process Skills:

1. Observing - using your senses to gather information about an object or event. It
is description of what was actually perceived. This information is considered
qualitative data.
2. Measuring - using standard measures or estimations to describe specific
dimensions of an object or event. This information is considered quantitative data.

3. Inferring - formulating assumptions or possible explanations based upon

observations.
4. Classifying - grouping or ordering objects or events into categories based upon
characteristics or defined criteria.
5. Predicting - guessing the most likely outcome of a future event based upon a
pattern of evidence.
6. Communicating - using words, symbols, or graphics to describe an object, action
or event.
Integrated Science Process Skills:
7. Formulating Hypotheses - stating the proposed solutions or expected outcomes
for experiments. These proposed solutions to a problem must be testable.
8. Identifying of Variables - stating the changeable factors that can affect an
experiment. It is important to change only the variable being tested and keep the
rest constant. The one being manipulated is the independent variable; the one
being measured to determine its response is the dependent variable; and all being
kept constant are constants or controlled variables.
9. Defining Variables Operationally - explaining how to measure a variable in an
experiment.
10.Describing Relationships Between Variables - explain relationships between
variables in an experiment such as between the independent and dependent
variables.
11.Designing Investigations - designing an experiment by identifying materials and
describing appropriate steps in a procedure to test a hypothesis.
12.Experimenting - carrying out an experiment by carefully following directions of
the procedure so the results can be verified by repeating the procedure several
times.
13.Acquiring Data - collecting qualitative and quantitative data as observations and
measurements.
14.Organizing Data in Tables and Graphs - making data tables and graphs for data
collected.
15.Analyzing Investigations and Their Data - interpreting data, identifying errors,
evaluating the hypothesis, formulating conclusions, and recommending further
testing where necessary.
16.Understanding Cause and Effect Relationships - what caused what to happen
and why.
17. Formulating Models - recognizing patterns in data and making comparisons to
familiar objects or ideas.

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Chapter 1.1.c Characteristics of Science & Technology
Scientific Traits and Values

Scientific Traits and Values

Intellectual Honesty
- This attitude allows a scientist to recognize the work done by other scientists
before him. This attitude is also shown by reporting data truthfully.

Open Mindedness
- A scientist is open minded. Open-mindedness is an attitude that allows a
scientist to look at other possibilities.
- Evaluate, validate and accept other people’s idea towards a question.

Creative and Critical Thinker

- A scientist can do critical assessment of results and limitations.
- This enables a scientist to come up with new concepts which lead to discoveries
that traditional scientists have overlooked.

Curiosity
- This attitude/quality-curiosity-enables a scientist to try to discover more about
the things around him.

Risk taker, confident and persistent

- These attitudes are very important because it enables a scientist to continue a
project despite obstacles and failures.

Objectivity
- A scientist must be objective in declaring results of his/her experiments and
Judgment is based on observable phenomena and not influenced by emotions or
personal prejudices

Precision
- A scientist must always consider the precision of his work if it forms a pattern or
repeatedly occurring in nature. Lack of precision to a work would mean
inconsistency.

Objectivity
- The moral, social and personal responsibility and accountability of a scientist to
all of his works must be observed.

Collaboration and Readiness to reach consenus

- “No Man is an Island”
- All people need others criticism for us to know if this can be widely accepted or
not.
- Two minds are better than one.

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