CHAPTER 3: TECHNOLOGY

VS HUMANITY

LESSON 1: Artificial Intelligence AI/ Robotics and Social Media

LESSON 2: The Good Life
LESSON 3: Biodiversity and Healthy Society
Intelligence (AI)/Robotics and Social Media
Introduction
Since 1940s, the development of the digital computer has been demonstrated that it can
be programmed to perform complex tasks such as discovering proofs for mathematical
theorems. Yet, despite these continuing advances in computer processing speed and memory
capacity, there are still no programs that can match human flexibility over wider domains and in
tasks requiring everyday knowledge.

At the end of an independent study, the students must be able to:

1. define Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Social Media and its importance and
uses
2. determine the goal of a good life and,
3. discuss the school of thought of happiness.

Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the ability of a digital computer or computer-
controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. The term is
frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes
characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn
from past experience.
A more elaborate definition characterizes AI as “a system’s ability to correctly interpret
external data, to learn from such data, and to use those learning to achieve specific goals and
tasks through flexible adaptation.
On the other hand, human intelligence is characterized by highly cognitive processes
such as concept-formation, understanding, decision-making, communication and problem-
solving. It is also markedly influenced by subjective factors such as motivation. Human
intelligence is commonly measured through IQ tests which typically covers working memory,
verbal comprehension, processing speed, and perceptual reasoning
(http://www.differencebetween.net/science).
AI and human intelligence delve into cognitive functions such as memory, problem-
solving, learning, planning, language, reasoning and perception. Regarding their differences, AI
is an innovation created by human intelligence and it is designed to do specific tasks much
faster with less effort. On the other hand, human intelligence is better at multi-tasking and it
can incorporate emotional elements, human interaction, as well as self-awareness in the
cognitive process. The following discussions further explore such distinctions.

IMPORTANCE AND USES OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Origin. AI is an innovation created by human intelligence; its early development is credited to
Norbert Weiner who theorized on feedback mechanisms while the father of AI is John McCarthy
for coining the term and organizing the first conference on research projects regarding machine
intelligence. On the other hand, human beings are created with the innate ability to think,
reason, recall, etc.

Speed. As compared to humans, computers can process more information at a faster rate. For
instance, if the human mind can solve a math problem in 5 minutes, AI can solve 10 problems
in a minute.
 Decision Making. AI is highly objective in decision making as it analyzes based on purely
gathered data. However, humans’ decisions may be influenced by subjective elements which
are not based on figures alone.

Accuracy. AI often produces accurate results as it functions based on a set of programmed

rules. As for human intelligence, there is usually a room for “human error” as certain details
may be missed at one point or the other.

Energy Used. The human brain uses about 25 watts while modern computers only generally
use 2 watts.

Adaptation. Human intelligence can be flexible in response to the changes to its environment.
This makes people able to learn and master various skills. On the other hand, AI takes much
more time to adapt to new changes.

Multitasking. The human intellect supports multitasking as evidenced by diverse and

simultaneous roles while AI can only perform fewer tasks at the same time as a system can
only learn responsibilities one at a time.

Self-Awareness. AI is still working on its ability regarding self-awareness while humans

become naturally aware of themselves and strive to establish their identities as they mature.

Social Interaction. As social beings, humans are much better at social interaction since they
can process abstract information, have self-awareness, and are sensitive to others’ emotions.
On the other hand, AI has not mastered the ability to pick up on pertinent social and emotional
cues.

General Function. The general function of human intelligence is innovation as it can create,
collaborate, brainstorm, and implement. As for AI, its general function is more on optimization
as it efficiently performs tasks according to how it is programmed.

ETHICAL ISSUES IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Unemployment. A company may stop relying on the human workforce as jobs become
automated. What will happen to the millions of employed individuals then?

Humanity. Artificially intelligent bots are becoming better and better at modeling human
conversation and relationships. Click-bait headlines and video games are evidences of how
machines can trigger the reward centers in the human brain. As artificial bots can channel
virtually unlimited resources into building relationships, one cannot help but think how will
machines affect our behavior and interaction?

Inequality. While our economic system is based on compensation for contribution to the
economy, owners in AI-driven companies take a large portion of the economic surplus they
create compared to the per hour wage earners. There is already a widening wealth gap, so how
do we distribute fairly the wealth created by the machines?

Racist robots. Though artificial intelligence is capable of a speed and capacity of processing
that’s far beyond that of humans, it cannot always be trusted to be fair and neutral. Google and
its parent company Alphabet are one of the leaders when it comes to artificial intelligence, as
seen in Google’s Photos service, where AI is used to identify people, objects and scenes. But it
can go wrong, such as when a camera missed the mark on racial sensitivity, or when a software
used to predict future criminals showed bias against black people. We shouldn’t forget that AI
systems are created by humans, who can be biased and judgmental.

Security. The more powerful a technology becomes, the more can it be used for nefarious
reasons as well as good. This applies not only to robots produced to replace human soldiers, or
autonomous weapons, but to AI systems that can cause damage if used maliciously. How do we
keep AI safe from adversaries?
 Robotics and Humanity
Another great product of innovative minds of the people is a robot. Robots are now
widely used. For example, there are so-called service robots. These particular robots do specific
tasks but focus mainly in assisting their masters in their everyday tasks.
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) and United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe (UNECE) made it their task to formulate a working definition for service robots. A
preliminary extract of the relevant definition is:

 A robot is an actual mechanism programmable in two or more axes with a degree of

autonomy, moving within its environment, to perform intended tasks.
 A service robot is a robot that performs useful tasks for humans or equipment excluding
industrial automation application.
 A personal service robot is a robot that is for personal use.
 A professional service robot is a service robot use for commercial task, usually operated
by a properly trained operator.

The earliest conception of robots can

be traced around 3000 BC from the
Egyptians. However, the earliest robots
as people know them were created in
the early 1950s by George Devol.

Revolutionizing manufacturing the

world over, the Unimate was the very
first industrial robot. Conceived from a
design for a mechanical arm patented
in 1954, Devol developed the Unimate
as a result of foresight and business acumen of Joseph Engelberger - Father of
Robotics.

Just like people living in the society, robots also have their own set of rules and
characteristics that define what a good robot is. These laws were formulated by Isaac
Asimov back in the 1940s when he was thinking of the ethical consequences of robots.

These are the following:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to
come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except such orders would
conflict with the first law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict
with the first law or second law.

Social Media
What is Social Media?
Social Media are forms of electronic communication such as websites for social
networking and micro blogging through which users create online communities to share
information, ideas, personal messages, and other content, like of videos (https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/social%20media).

The Impact of Social Media in our Daily Lives

Decades ago, it was very difficult to find and connect people that you once knew. The
social media sites, such as Facebook and Instagram, are making things easier for people to find
and reconnect after years of being apart. These social media platforms are a great way to see
what is happening in the lives of our family & significant others, meet new people of similar
interests, share our thoughts and opinions, and serve as a new arena of learning, among all
other benefits.

Melissa Tyler, a tech writer shares her ideas to us on the impact of social media to our
daily lives. These are as follows:
 1. The Youth
The youth of the world is often the most ready to adapt to and learn to use new
technologies, and they are certainly at the forefront of social media of all types. They have
more technological know-how than many of older generations as well. Social media, therefore,
is certainly having a rather large impact on their daily lives for good and for bad.
Those who spend too much time on social sites, or who take the abuses of online
bullies seriously on the sites could have some issues. For parents, even those of teenagers who
are 16 and 17, it is important to watch to make sure that social media sites do not take over
the lives of children. When used appropriately, it can be a very good thing.

2. Marketing
Of course, the social media sites are ripe for marketing endeavors as well, and over
the past few years, users have seen an uptick in the amount of advertising on the sites. Many
companies are actually choosing to become a part of the site rather than merely buying
advertising. This allows for a closer connection between the customers and the companies, which
could lead to better service and better quality products. As long as companies are not too overt
about ads and promotion, most users do not mind it. In most cases, users would have to
subscribe to the content in the first place.

3. Entertainment
Another reason people are spending as much time as they do on social media sites is
because they can be a great form of entertainment. Watch videos that people post to their
timelines, view pictures, read stories, and even play games. Whether using a smart phone, a
tablet, or a traditional computer, more and more people are utilizing social media in their daily
lives. Few things have quite as much impact and affect as social media over the past few years.
The sites are certainly a step toward world globalization
(https://linguagreca.com/blog/2013/05/impact-of-social-media-in-our-lives/).

Additional Readings
The Impact of the Internet on Society: A Global Perspective by Manuel Castells,
September 8, 2014 https://www.technologyreview.com/2014/09/08/171458/the-
impact-of-the-internet-on-society-a-global-perspective/

The Good Life

Through the years, many attempted to answer the old and basic philosophical question,
“What is the good life?” “How to live a good life?” “What qualifies a good existence?”.
Philosophers seek understanding of the relationship between the world and the reality to fully
grasp one’s flourished soul. In an attempt to understand reality and the external world, man
must understand himself, too.

In this module, we will shed light to these questions and find truth about what “a good
life” is as what every individual strives to attain throughout his or her life.

What is Meant by a Good Life?

There are three ways by which we can understand what is meant by a “a good life” or
“living well”. These are the Moral Life, Life of Pleasure and Fulfilled Life (Westacott, 2018)

What Does It Mean to Live the Good Life?

By Emrys Westacott

What is “the good life”? This is one of the oldest philosophical questions. It has been posed in
different ways—How should one live? What does it mean to “live well”?—but these are really just the
same question. After all, everyone wants to live well, and no one wants “the bad life.”

But the question isn’t as simple as it sounds. Philosophers specialize in unpacking hidden
complexities, and the concept of the good life is one of those that needs quite a bit of unpacking.

The Moral Life

One basic way we use the word “good” is to express moral approval. So when we say someone is
living well or that they have lived a good life, we may simply mean that they are a good person,
someone who is courageous, honest, trustworthy, kind, selfless, generous, helpful, loyal, principled, and
so on.

They possess and practice many of the most important virtues. And they don’t spend all their time
merely pursuing their own pleasure; they devote a certain amount of time to activities that benefit others,
perhaps through their engagement with family and friends, or through their work, or through various
voluntary activities.

This moral conception of the good life has had plenty of champions. Socrates and Plato both gave
absolute priority to being a virtuous person over all other supposedly good things such as pleasure,
wealth, or power.

In Plato’s dialogue Gorgias, Socrates takes this position to an extreme. He argues that it is much
better to suffer wrong than to do it; that a good man who has his eyes gouged out and is tortured to
death is more fortunate than a corrupt person who has used wealth and power dishonorably.

In his masterpiece, the Republic, Plato develops this argument in greater detail. The morally
good person, he claims, enjoys a sort of inner harmony, whereas the wicked person, no matter how rich
and powerful he may be or how many pleasure he enjoys, is disharmonious, fundamentally at odds with
himself and the world.

It is worth noting, though, that in both the Gorgias and the Republic, Plato bolsters his argument
with a speculative account of an afterlife in which virtuous people are rewarded and wicked people are
punished.

Many religions also conceive of the good life in moral terms as a life lived according to God’s
laws. A person who lives this way—obeying the commandments and performing the proper rituals—
is pious. And in most religions, such piety will be rewarded. Obviously, many people do not receive their
reward in this life.

But devout believers are confident that their piety will not be in vain. Christian martyrs went
singing to their deaths confident that they would soon be in heaven. Hindus expect that the law of karma
will ensure that their good deeds and intentions will be rewarded, while evil actions and desires will be
punished, either in this life or in future lives.

The Life of Pleasure

The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus was one of the first to declare, bluntly, that what makes
life worth living is that we can experience pleasure. Pleasure is enjoyable, it’s fun, it’s...well...pleasant!
The view that pleasure is the good, or, to put I another way, that pleasure is what makes life worth living,
is known as hedonism.

The word “hedonist,” when applied to a person, has slightly negative connotations. It suggests
that they are devoted to what some have called the “lower” pleasures such as sex, food, drink, and
sensual indulgence in general.

Epicurus was thought by some of his contemporaries to be advocating and practicing this sort of
lifestyle, and even today an “epicure” is someone who is especially appreciative of food and drink. But
this is a misrepresentation of Epicureanism. Epicurus certainly praised all kinds of pleasures. But he
didn’t advocate that we lose ourselves in sensual debauchery for various reasons:

 Doing so will probably reduce our pleasures in the long run since over-indulgence tends to
cause health problems and limit the range of pleasure we enjoy.
 The so-called “higher” pleasures such as friendship and study are at least as important as
“pleasures of the flesh."
 The good life has to be virtuous. Although Epicurus disagreed with Plato about the value of
pleasure, he fully agreed with him on this point.

Today, this hedonistic conception of the good life is arguably dominant in Western culture. Even
in everyday speech, if we say someone is “living the good life,” we probably mean that they enjoying lots
of recreational pleasures: good food, good wine, skiing, scuba diving, lounging by the pool in the sun
with a cocktail and a beautiful partner.
 What is key to this hedonistic conception of the good life is that it emphasizes subjective
experiences. On this view, to describe a person as “happy” means that they “feel good,” and a happy life
is one that contains many “feel good” experiences.

The Fulfilled Life

If Socrates emphasizes virtue and Epicurus emphasizes pleasure, another great Greek
thinker, Aristotle, views the good life in a more comprehensive way. According to Aristotle, we all want to
be happy.

We value many things because they are a means to other things. For instance, we value money
because it enables us to buy things we want; we value leisure because it gives us time to pursue our
interests. But happiness is something we value not as a means to some other end but for its own sake.
It has intrinsic value rather than instrumental value.

So for Aristotle, the good life is a happy life. But what does that mean? Today, many people
automatically think of happiness in subjectivist terms: To them, a person is happy if they are enjoying a
positive state of mind, and their life is happy if this is true for them most of the time.

There is a problem with this way of thinking about happiness in this way, though. Imagine a
powerful sadist who spends much of his time gratifying cruel desires. Or imagine a pot-smoking, beer-
guzzling couch potato who does nothing but sit around all day watching old TV shows and playing video
games. These people may have plenty of pleasurable subjective experiences. But should we really
describe them as “living well”?

Aristotle would certainly say no. He agrees with Socrates that to live the good life one must be a
morally good person. And he agrees with Epicurus that a happy life will involve many and varied
pleasurable experiences. We can’t really say someone is living the good life if they are often miserable
or constantly suffering.

But Aristotle’s idea of what it means to live well is objectivist rather than subjectivist. It isn’t just a
matter of how a person feels inside, although that does matter. It’s also important that certain objective
conditions be satisfied.

For instance:
 Virtue: They must be morally virtuous.
 Health: They should enjoy good health and reasonably long life.
 Prosperity: They should be comfortably off (for Aristotle this meant affluent enough so that they
don’t need to work for a living doing something that they would not freely choose to do.)
 Friendship: They must have good friends. According to Aristotle human beings are innately
social; so the good life can’t be that of a hermit, a recluse, or a misanthrope.
 Respect: They should enjoy the respect of others. Aristotle doesn’t think that fame or glory is
necessary; in fact, a craving for fame can lead people astray, just as the desire for excessive
wealth can. But ideally, a person’s qualities and achievements will be recognized by others.
 Luck: They need good luck. This is an example of Aristotle’s common sense. Any life can be
rendered unhappy by tragic loss or misfortune.
 Engagement: They must exercise their uniquely human abilities and capacities. This is why the
couch potato is not living well, even if they report that they are content. Aristotle argues that
what separates human beings from the other animals is the human reason. So the good life is
one in which a person cultivates and exercises their rational faculties by, for instance, engaging
in scientific inquiry, philosophical discussion, artistic creation, or legislation. Were he alive today
he might well include some forms of technological innovation.

If at the end of your life you can check all these boxes then you could reasonably claim to have
lived well, to have achieved the good life. Of course, the great majority of people today do not belong to
the leisure class as Aristotle did. They have to work for a living.

But it’s still true that we think the ideal circumstance is to be doing for a living what you would
choose to do anyway. So people who are able to pursue their calling are generally regarded as
extremely fortunate.
 The Meaningful Life
Recent research shows that people who have children are not necessarily happier than people
who don’t have children. Indeed, during the child-raising years, and especially when children have
turned into teenagers, parents typically have lower levels of happiness and higher levels of stress. But
even though having children may not make people happier, it does seem to give them the sense that
their lives are more meaningful.

For many people, the well-being of their family, especially their children and grandchildren, is
the main source of meaning in life. This outlook goes back a very long way. In ancient times, the
definition of good fortune was to have lots of children who do well for themselves.

But obviously, there can be other sources of meaning in a person’s life. They may, for instance,
pursue a particular kind of work with great dedication: e.g. scientific research, artistic creation, or
scholarship. They may devote themselves to a cause: e.g. fighting against racism or protecting the
environment. Or they may be thoroughly immersed in and engaged with some particular community: e.g.
a church, a soccer team, or a school.

The Finished Life

The Greeks had a saying: Call no man happy until he’s dead. There is wisdom in this. In fact,
one might want to amend it to: Call no man happy until he’s long dead. For sometimes a person can
appear to live a fine life, and be able to check all the boxes—virtue, prosperity, friendship, respect,
meaning, etc.—yet eventually be revealed as something other than what we thought they were.

A good example of this Jimmy Saville, the British TV personality who was much admired in his
lifetime but who, after he died, was exposed as a serial sexual predator.

Cases like this bring out the great advantage of an objectivist rather than a subjectivist notion of
what it means to live well. Jimmy Saville may have enjoyed his life. But surely, we would not want to say
that he lived the good life. A truly good life is one that is both enviable and admirable in all or most of the
ways outlined above.

https://www.thoughtco.com

Happiness as the Ultimate Goal of a Good Life

In the eighteenth century, John Stuart Mill declared the Greatest Happiness Principle by
saying that an action is right as far as it maximizes the attainment of happiness for the greatest
number of people. At a time when people when people were skeptical about claims on the
metaphysical, people could not make sense of the human flourishing that Aristotle talked about
in the days of old. Mill said that individual happiness of each individual should be prioritized and
collectively dictates the kind of action that should be endorsed. Consider the pronouncements
against mining. When an action benefits the greatest number of people, said action is deemed
ethical. Does mining benefit rather than hurt the majority? Does it offer more benefit rather
than disadvantages? Does mining result in more people getting happy rather than sad? If the
answers to the said questions are in the affirmative, then the said action, mining, is deemed
ethical.
The ethical is, of course, meant to lead us to the good and happy life. Through the
ages, as has been expounded in the previous chapters, man has constantly struggled with the
external world in order to reach human flourishing. History has given birth to different schools
of thought, all of which aim for the good and happy life.

Schools of Thought of Happiness

1. Materialism
The first materialists were the atomists in Ancient Greece.
The atomist philosophers thought that universe and matter are
made up of atoms “atomos” or seeds. These are indivisible
particles, assembled by chance and in a purely mechanical way.
The founders of this theory was the Greek philosopher Leucippus
and his disciple Democritus (around 460-370 B.C.). This belief aims
that comfort, pleasure, and wealth are the only highest goals.
 2. Hedonism
Epicurus continued the theory of materialism, which does not
but any notion of afterlife. The hedonists see the end goal of life is
attaining pleasure. For hedonists, since life is limited, one must
indulge itself with pleasures --- “Eat, drink, and be merry for
tomorrow we die”. They strive to maximize their total pleasure, the
difference of pleasure and pain, and if the pleasure was finally
gained, happiness remains fixed.

4. Stoicism
Stoicism is one of the schools of thought in philosophy created
for those who live their lives in the real world. It was founded in
Athens by Zeno of Citium (early 3rd century B.C.). Stoicism asserts that
virtue (e.g. wisdom) is happiness and judgement should be based acts
on behavior rather than words. People do not have any control and
must not rely on external events, only for themselves and their
responses. This philosophy, helps a person to overcome destructive
emotions and acts on what can be acted upon. Stoicism also differs
from other schools of thought with its purpose as a practical
application rather than intellectual enterprise.

5. Theism
The ultimate basis of happiness for theists is the communion
with God. They believe that they can find meaning of their lives by using
God as the creator of their existence. Theism is a belief that one or
more gods exist within the universe, and that gods are often omniscient
(all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnipresent (all-
pervasive). This belief incorporates Monotheism (belief in one god) and
Polytheism (belief in many gods). The Abrahamic faiths such as
Judaism, Christianity, Islam, as well as Hinduism are all theistic religions.

6. Humanism
Humanism is another school of thought that affirms that human
beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape their
own lives. “It is not theistic and does not accept supernatural views of
reality”--- IHEU, International Humanist and Ethical Union.

Further, humanists see themselves not only as the stewards of

creation but as individuals who have control for themselves as well as the
world outside them. Most scientists dwell on this thought that the world is
a place for discovery in seeking ways on how to improve the lives of its
inhabitants. As a result, scientists eventually turn technology to ease the
difficulty of life, that is, to live comfortably.

Biodiversity and Healthy Society

Introduction
The issue of biodiversity in the ecosystem is vital. The source of essential goods and
ecological services that constitute the source of life is completely dependent on biological
diversity of fauna and flora. Likewise, the ecological standpoint of biodiversity across health
care services is dynamic – diversity in life forms equates to protection, production, and safety
of health.

“the value of biodiversity the value of everything”

(Rainforest Conservation Fund, n.d.)

“If we pollute the air, water and soil that keep us alive and well, and destroy the biodiversity
that allows natural systems to function, no amount of money will save”
“Climate change, if unchecked, is an urgent threat to health, food supplies, biodiversity, and
livelihoods across the globe”.

“The value of biodiversity is that it makes our ecosystems more resilient, which is a
prerequisite for stable societies; its wanton destruction is akin to setting fire to our lifeboat”

Cherish every single piece of resources that we are taking from our nature because
we humans depends on the natural resources given to us by our surroundings.

Don`t let these resources disappear in just one snap!

A. What is biodiversity?
1. the shortened form of two words "biological" and "diversity". It refers to all
the variety of life that can be found on Earth (plants, animals, fungi and
micro-organisms) as well as to the communities that they form
and the habitats in which they live.

 the variability among living organisms from all sources, including

terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species,
between species, and of ecosystems.
  is the source of the essential goods and ecological services that constitute
the source of life for all and it has direct consumptive value in food,
agriculture, medicine, and in industry (Villaggio Globale, 2009).

 the variety of all forms of life, from genes to species, through to the
broad scale of ecosystems.
 The vast variety of the life forms in the entire earth. It encompasses all
kinds of life forms, from the singled-celled organism to the largest multi-
celled organism.
 The variability among living organism from all sources, including:
terrestrial, marine, and aquatic ecosystem.

B. Why biodiversity is important in ecosystem?

1. Maintains the natural balance of ecosystems and increases ecosystem

productivity; each species in an ecosystem has a specific niche—a role to
play
2. Supports a larger number of plant species
3. Protects freshwater resources
4. Promotes soils formation, soil contents and protection
5. Provides for nutrient storage, nutrient cycles and recycling
6. Influences environmental condition such as water cycles, weather
patterns, and climate.
7. Gives resilience—from the microbes that contribute to the formation of the
human biome to the genes that help us adapt to stress in the
environment.
8. Support all forms of livelihoods.
9. Helps regulate disease, and is necessary for physical, mental, and spiritual
health and social well-being.
10. 40 per cent of the world’s economy and 80 per cent of the needs of the
poor are derived from biological resources.
11. The richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for medical
discoveries, economic development, and adaptive responses to such new
challenges as climate change.

C. Changes in biodiversity
A change in biodiversity could have erratic effects not only in wildlife or marine
life but also in human beings. Humans inhabiting the forest would disturb the natural
order of life. Trees and plants would be affected in the land-clearing operations where
the houses would be built. The animals, insects, and all types of life forms in the
cleared area would either be displaced or most likely be killed. Human wouldn`t have
enough natural resources that they will use in their daily living. The forest and some
of the natural resources will be destroyed due to some illegal human activities and
extinction of the flora (plant) and fauna (animal) will take place.
The loss of these life forms could affect the entire ecosystem governing that
environment. The food chain might be damaged. If the ecosystem is not well taken
care of, biodiversity encounters changes that may impact human health on such
different levels.

D. Threats to biodiversity
1. Habitat loss and destruction
2. Alteration in ecosystem composition
3. Over-exploitation
4. Pollution and contamination
5. Global climate change
E. Benefits of human in biodiversity
Biodiversity provides numerous ecosystem services that are crucial to human
well-being at present and in the future. Longer term changes in climate affect the
viability and health of ecosystems, influencing shifts in the distribution of plants,
pathogens, animals, and even human settlements. Man has to consider the entire Earth
as a single unit. A loss of single-celled species or a family of wild grass can have
adverse effects in the entire biosphere. Biodiversity seen in macro level seems to be still
vast and rich, yet if we look at it in micro- level, per species, we have lost too much.
Eventually, in the near future, this biodiversity loss will have a great negative effect
especially to us humans.

F. Health, Biology and Diversity

1. Almost all living organism are dependent to their environment to live and
reproduce.
2. The basic needs of the organism: air, water, food, habitat
3. Human illnesses related with the environment: Parkinson’s disease, heart
disease, cancer, chronic asthma.

References:
1. Reason and Meaning. Aristotle on the Good Life. (2013). Accessed August 12, 2020.
http://www.reason-and-meaning.com
2. Serafica, J. P. J., Paliwen, G. T., Caslib, B. N., Alata, E. J. P. (2018). The Good Life.
Science, Technology and Society. Rex Book Store, Inc. Manila, Philippines. Pp75-83
3. .Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2020). Form vs. Matter. Accessed August 12, 2020.
https://good.life.form.vs.matter/stanfordencyclopediaofphilosophy.html
4. Westacott E. (2020). What does it mean to live the good life? Accessed August 12, 2020.
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