Chapter 2: Science, Technology, and Society in Human Condition Lesson 1: Human Flourishing

CHAPTER 2: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, And SOCIETY IN HUMAN CONDITION
LESSON 1: HUMAN FLOURISHING

Aristotle's human flourishing arises as a result of different components such as phronesis, friendship, wealth,
and power. People found means to live more comfortably, explore more places, develop more products, and
make more money, and then repeating the process in full circle. In the beginning, early people relied on simple
machines to make hunting and gathering easier. 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
word." He is supposed to situate himself in a global neighborhood, working side by side among institutions
and the government to be able to reach a common goal.
SCIENCE AS METHOD AND RESULT

1. Observation – my observation and I had an question of how to
2. Determine the problem
3. Formulate Hypothesis
4. Conduct Experiment
5. Gather and Analyze
6. Formulate Conclusion
Verification Theory
The earliest criterion that distinguishes philosophy and science is verification theory. The idea proposes that a
discipline is science if it can be confirmed or interpreted in the event of an alternative hypothesis being
accepted. In that regard, said theory gives premium to empiricism and only takes into account those results
which are measurable and experiments which are movement repeatable. classic example is astrology, whose
followers are able to employ the verification method in ascertaining its reliability. The idea is that since one
already has some sort of expectations on what to find, they will interpret events in line with said expectations.
EXAMPLE OF VERIFICATION THEORY
She began by observing him and his interactions with her. Several gestures she noted include his always
exchanging pleasantries with her whenever they bump into each other, his big smile when he sees her, and
him going out of his way to greet her even when riding a jeepney. Through these observations, she was then
able to conclude that lan does like her because, she thought, why would anyone do something like that for a
person he does not like? As it tums out, however, lan is just generally happy to meet people he knew. He had
known Lea since they were in first year and regards her as a generally okay person. It is no Surprise then that
upon learning that lan basically does this to everyone, Lea was crushed. She vowed to herself that she would
never assume again.
Based from above story, is it justified for Lea to think that lan does not like her? Not quite. The next criterion
also warns us about the danger or this view.
Another example : The taste of apple is not sweet
FALSIFICATION THEORY
Falsification Theory Perhaps the current prevalent methodology in science, falsification theory asserts that as
long as an ideology is not proven to be false and can best explain á phenomenon over alternative theories, we
should accept the said ideology.
Karl Popper is the known proponent of this view.
Example of FALSIFICATION THEORY
To illustrate, previous story is restated:
around people and generally aspires to become everybody's friend. However, there is this one girl, Lea, who
seemed to not like him when he is around. Every time he waves at her, she turns away, and when they are in
the same room, she avoids his glances. Through this, he concluded that Lea does not like him and does his
best to show her that he is not a threat. He began greeting her whenever they pass by each other at the
corridor, even going so far as calling her attention when he was in the jeepney and saw her walking past.
When they are able to talk to each other, he found out that Lea is just really shy and is not accustomed to
people greeting her. He then was able to conclude that his initial impression of her not liking him (as a person)
is wrong and thus said proposition is rejected.
falsification method is prone to the same generalizations committed by the verification method. There is no
known rule as to the number of instance that a theory is rejected or falsified in order for it to be set aside.
Similarly, there is no assurance that observable event or evidences" are indeed manifestations of a cetain
concept or "theories”.
Another example: because the fruit he ate was not the good one
SCIENCE AS SOCIAL ENDEAVOR
Science as a Social Endeavor
Due to inconclusiveness of the methodologies previously cited, a new school of thought on the proper demarcation
criterion of science emerged. Several philosophers such as Paul Thagard, Imre Lakatos, Helen Longino, David
Bloor, and Richard Rorty, among others, presented an alternative demarcation that explores the social dimension of
science and effectively, technology. Sciences cease to belong solely to gown wearing, bespectacled scientists at
laboratories. The new view perpetuates a dimension which generally benefits the society. For instance, far-off 56
Science, Technology, and Society. places in South America where many of the tribes remain uncontacted, do
not regard western science as their science. Whatever their science is, it can be ascertainèd that it is in no way
inferior to that of globalized peoples' science. Thus, it presents an alternative notion that goes beyond the
boundaries of cold, hard facts of science and instead projects it in a different light, such as a manifestation of
shared experience forging solidarity over communities.
Science as a social endeavor means the application of science to figuring out how the world works/exists/originated
etc. Another dimension of Science as a social endeavor is to solve various problems, satisfy various needs and
sustainable development of society with the help of scientific knowledge.
Science and Results
For the most part, people who do not understand science are won over when the discipline is able to produce
results. Similar to when Jesus performed miracles and garnered followers, people are sold over the capacity of
science to do stuff they cannot fully comprehend. In this particular argument, however, science is not the only
discipline which is able to produce results--religion, luck, and human randomness are some of its
contemporaries in the field. For some communities without access to science, they can turn to divination and
superstition and still get the same results. Science is not entirely foolproof, such that it is correct 100% of the
time. Weather reports, for one, illustrate fallibility and limitations of their scope, as well as their inability to
predict disasters. The best that can be done during an upcoming disaster is to reinforce materials to be more
calamity proof and restore the area upon impact. It can be then concluded that science does not monopolize
the claim for definite results.
Results” Means the Ending of a Scientific Story
A scientific experiment has a beginning and an end. The results are simply the end of

the scientific experiment: What you found in your study.
Science as Education
Aforementioned discussion notes that there is no such thing as a singular scientific method, offering instead a
variety of procedures that scientists can experiment with to get results and call them science. Discoveries in
physics, specifically in quantum mechanics, appeared to have debunked the idea of objectivity in reality,
subscribing instead to alternative idea called intersubjectivity. With objectivity gone, it has lost its number one
credence. Nevertheless, there still exists a repressing concept that comes about as a result of unjustified
irreverence of science-our preference of science-inclined students over those which are less adept.
If one is really in pursuit of human flourishing, it would make sense for them to pursue it holistically. Simply
mastering science an technology would be inadequate if we are to, say, socialize with people or ruminate on
our inner self. Aristotle's eudaimonic person is required to be knowledgeable about science, among other
things of equal importance. They are supposed to possess intellectual virtues that will enable them to
determine truth from falsehood or good reasoning from poor reasoning A true eudaimonic recognizes that
flourishing requires one to excel in various dimensions, such as linguistic, kinetic, artistic, and socio-civic. Thus,
he understands that he should not focus on one aspect alone.
LESSON 2: TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF LIVING

Comparing the lives of the people before and now will make anyone realize the changes that happened in
society not just in terms of culture, language, or rights but more importantly, changes in people's way of life
due to the existence of science and technology.
Through science and technology, people get to experience what it really means to live because it helps people
in more ways than one. People who lived in the past and people who are living in the present all have different
views of what it means to flourish, primarily due the to the kind of environment and the period one is in.
People's ways of life and how the society works also affect how one construes the concept of human
flourishing.
HUMAN CONDITION BEFORE COMMON ERA
Our early ancestors primal need to survive paved way for the invention of several developments. Gifted with
brains more advanced than other creatures, humans are able to utilize abundant materials for their own ease
and comfort. As it is difficult to pinpoint the particular period where technology is said to have started, one
can say that at the very least, the motivation to make things easier has been around since humans are. Homo
erectus have been using fire to cook, through chipping one flint over the other to produce a spark, all the
while without realizing the laws of friction and heat. Tools from stone and flints marked the era of the Stone
Age, during the advent of our very own Homo sapiens, and humans began to sharpen stones as one would a
knife; an example of this is the simple machine called wedge. Fur clothing and animal skin are primarily used
for comfort against harsh winds-our ancestors are able to draw the connection between their being naked and
vulnerable due to some lack of fur or protective covering which would otherwise allow them to withstand
extreme weather conditions.
HUMAN CONDITION DURING COMMMON ERA
For a long time, humans were content with their relationship with nature. Growing population also
necessitated finding additional resources, leading to overhunting and overfishing common prey, some of
which were endemic to the area. Formation of communities caused humans to expand more in territory and
more people to feed; large, separate communities hailing from the same ancestors and residing in the same
large community paved way for civilizations. Even as a community, the people realized that though they were
at most self-sufficient, they were in constant need of resources. They realized that they could get hold of
things not present in their towns by offering something of same value present in theirs. It is in this process
that trade emerged, leading to cross-town and eventually cross-cultural interaction as more products were
exchanged and the initial needs extended to wants. Thus, they began to hunt, farm, and produce things with
prospect of profit. Products of every kind were exchanged, ranging from necessary , ones up such as crops,
cattle, poultry, others of kind, and clothing material up to metals, accessories, weapons, spices, literature, and
entertainment, They were able to find and create niches for interests. When they could not sell products, they
used their skills and got compensated for it-bringing forth a specialized group of artisans. Humanity became
more complex. The primary goal was not merely to survive, but to live the good life.
Technology has been instrumental in all of these because in Searching for the good life, people were able to
come up with creations that would make life easier, more comfortable, and more enriching. Although the
good life envisioned before might be pale in comparison to the multifariousness of today, it offered us the
initial intricacies of how today came to be.
the humans of today are much better off compared to humans several centuries ago. Advancements in
medicine, technology, health, and education ushered in humanity's best yet, and show no sign of stopping.
1.Mortality Rate. Due to technology, lesser women and children die during birth, assuring robust population
and strong workforce. Medical care for premature infants allows them to survive and develop normally, while
proper maternal care ensures that mothers can fully recover and remain empowered.
2. Average Lifespan. Aside from the reason that people engage less in combat and are less likely to die in
treatable diseases now as opposed to then, science is able to prolong lives by enhancing living status and
discovering different remedies to most diseases. Distribution of medicines is also made easier and faster.
3. Literacy Rate. Access to education provided to more individuals generally creates a more informed public
that could determine a more just society.
4. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Although not an indicator of an average person's lifestyle in a certain
country, it is often used to determine the value of the country's goods and services produced within the
territory given a certain time period. Higher country income is brought upon by high productivity,often an
indicator of presence of technology.

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CHAPTER 2: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, And SOCIETY IN HUMAN CONDITION

LESSON 1: HUMAN FLOURISHING

SCIENCE AS METHOD AND RESULT

Results” Means the Ending of a Scientific Story

A scientific experiment has a beginning and an end. The results are simply the end of

LESSON 2: TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF LIVING

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