Module 1. Unit 1.

Introduction to
Science, Technology, and Society
Intended Learning Outcomes
1. Explain general concepts related to Science and Technology.
2. Explain the scope of the study of Science, Technology, and Society
(STS).
3. Demonstrate preparedness and readiness in the study of STS.
Science Defined
 Comes from the Latin word, ‘scientia’ meaning ‘knowledge’
 Refers to a systematic and methodical activity of building and
organizing knowledge about how the universe behaves through
either observation or experimentation or both
Science Defined
According to the famous American science historian John Heilbron
(2003, p. vii),  “modern science is a discovery as well as an invention.”
Technology Defined
 the application of scientific knowledge, laws, and principles to
produce services, materials, tools, and machines aimed at solving
real-world problems
 comes from the Greek root word, technē, meaning ‘art, skill, or
cunning of hand’
Mark Zuckerberg’s definition of technology  
“What defines a technological tool —
one historical definition — is
something that takes a human’s sense
or ability and augments it and makes
it more powerful. So, for example, I
wear contact lenses or glasses; that is
a technology that enhances my
human ability of vision and makes it
better.”
Challenges and Downsides of S&T
“We live in a society absolutely dependent on
science and technology and yet have cleverly
arranged things so that almost no one
understands science and technology. That’s a
clear prescription for disaster.” -popular American
scientist Carl Sagan quoted in Tom Head’s (1994)
 book
Science, Technology, and Society Defined
• traces its roots during the interwar period and into the start of the
Cold War
• resulted from a recognition that many schools today do not really
prepare students to respond critically, reflectively, and proactively to
the challenges of the contemporary world, in this case S&T
Science, Technology, and Society Defined
• a result of questions about its dynamic interaction with various
aspects of society and was thus viewed as a socially embedded
enterprise 
• seeks to bridge the gap between two traditionally exclusive cultures
of humanities (interpretive) and natural sciences (rational)
Lewis Wolpert’s (2005) The Medawar
Lecture 1998 Is science dangerous?

“In contrast to technology, reliable scientific knowledge

is value-free and has no moral or ethical value” (p. 1254)
SCIENCE ≠ TECHNOLOGY

CONFLATION
‘Socially responsible science’ is more than
‘good science’ (Bird, 2014).
• accurate and reliable research
• oppose misuse or abuse in the application of
research findings
• attend to both the limitations and the
foreseeable impacts of their work
• participate in discussions and decisions
regarding the appropriate use of science in
addressing societal issues and concerns
• bring their specialized knowledge and expertise
to activities and discussions that promote the
education of students and fellow citizens
• enhance and facilitate informed decision
making and democracy
On ‘Eugenics’
• Access the video here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JcYEXeK0g8
PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING
OF SCIENCE
2018’s ten emerging ethical dilemmas and
policy issues in S&T
1. Helix - A digital app store designed to help you read your genome.
2. The Robot Priest - BlessU-2 and Pepper are the first robot priest and monk, respectively. 
3. Emotion-Sensing Facial Recognition - Optimizing retail experiences by assessing your reactions.
4. Ransomware - Holding data hostage until you pay up, whether you're an individual or a large
corporation. 
5. The Textalyzer - A new tool in the battle against texting and driving that tells cops if you were on your
phone before an accident.
6. Social Credit Systems - China will debut theirs in 2020, but do we already live in a world where online
reputation is king? 
7. Google Clips - This little camera will watch you all day and capture your most picturesque moments. 
8. Sentencing Software - There are already Americans being sentenced with the help of a mysterious
algorithm.
9. The Rise of Robot Friendship - Can we create a chat bot out of our loved ones' old texts and social
media posts? 
10. The Citizen App - Live crime reporting may lead to vigilante justice. 
Group Work 1
Review the ten emerging ethical dilemmas of 2018 compiled by the
John J. Reilly Center for Science, Technology, and Values of the
University of Notre Dame. Form groups of 3-4 members each. The
teacher will assign each group one emerging ethical dilemma. Research
about the nature of the S&T innovation assigned to you and be
prepared to report the highlights of your group research in class. Use
the following guide questions in preparing your output. Create a no
more than five-slide PowerPoint presentation to highlight the summary
of your research:
Group Work 1
• What is the S&T issue all about?
• What factors or events led to the introduction of this S&T?
• What ethical dilemmas does the introduction of the S&T assigned to
your group pose?
• Why is it important to question the moral and ethical issues
surrounding the assigned S&T?
• In the face of this new S&T innovation, why is it important to study
Science, Technology, and Society?