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Lesson 1 - Introduction to STS

Science Technology and Society (Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University)

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TOPIC 1 : Introduction to Science, Technology and Society (STS)

Content Standard: The learners demonstrate an understanding of the meaning of science,

technology and society. .

Learning Outcomes:The learners will be able to:

1. discuss the concept of science, technology and society.

2. explain the interrelationship of science, technology and society.
3. identify different emerging ethical dilemmas and policy issues in science and technology.
4. appreciate the importance of studying STS.

Content:

Science

• From the Latin word scientia, meaning knowledge.

• The framework of knowledge of the natural word learned through the scientific method. • It
leads to the creation of concepts, methods, principles , theories, laws and procedures which
seek to describe and explain nature and its phenomena.
• It can be defined as
✓ idea – includes ides, theories and all available systematic explanations and
observations about the natural and physical word
✓ intellectual activity – involves systematic observation and experimentation ✓ body
of knowledge – subject, discipline, filed of study that deals with the process of
learning about natural and physical world
✓ personal and social activity – done by human beings to develop better
understanding of the world around them

Technology

• From the Greek word techne, meaning art, skill or cunning hand.
• It is the application of scientific expertise, laws and principles to the development of
services, products, instruments and machines built to solve real problems. • It is a material
product, the results of a scientific investigation.
• A complex system of expertise , skills, personnel, techniques, equipment , materials and
resources that are used and allocated to the production , operation and manufacture of a
new or enhanced product , process or service.

Society

• Derived from the Latin word societas, it typically refers to individuals belonging to a
particular group.
• A community of people engaging with each other through persistent relationships, or a
broad social grouping occupying the same geographical or social territory, normally
subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations.
• A complex of mutual relationship classes, communicating with each other, allowing human
organisms to carry on their life activities and helping each person, in association with
their fellows, to fulfill their wishes and fulfill their interests.

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The Meaning of Science, Technology and Society

• The study of how social, political and cultural principles influence scientific research and
technological progress, and how they, in turn, impact society.

• Refers to the relationship of science and technology with the socio-cultural, political and
economic environments that form and shape them; concrete examples of scientific and
technological advances throughout human history.

• A relatively young field which brings together previously independent and older disciplines,
such as science history, science philosophy of science and sociology.

• As an academic field, STS according to Harvard University’s Kennedy School (2018),

traces its root from interwar period and start of the Cold War.

• The growth of STS as an academic field resulted from the realization that many schools
today do not really prepare students to respond to the challenges raised by science and
technology in the current term objectively, reflectively and proactively.

• As an interdisciplinary field, the advent of STS was the product of concerns about the
complex relationship of science and technology with different facets of society, which was
seen as a socially embedded community.

The Interactions Between Science, Technology and Society

Science is characterized as the systematic study of nature, of the material and physical
world, based on observation, experimentation and measurement, as well as the formulation of
laws to explain these facts in general terms. It is the analysis of information that can be turned
into a method, which typically relies on the observation and checking of facts. The term science
is used by scientists, the curious seeker of answers to the unknown in a methodical and orderly
manner.

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Technology, on the other hand, refers to the body of structured science, instruments and
devices used by man to control his environment for the sake of his general good. It includes the

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adoption of scientific knowledge or innovations to create and manufacture products and services
that are useful to man, thereby solving daily problems or promoting tiresome human activities. It
is a realistic problem-solving enterprise that is motivated by scientific discovery or social needs.
There is no question that our needs are numerous, and we must be motivated by the same
scale. Technology can be traced back historically to the beginning of time to be a man's journey
to better his way of life and quality of life.

Ten Emerging Ethical Dilemmas and Policy Issues in Science and Technology (2020)

For the ninth consecutive year, Dr. Jessica Baron, in collaboration with the John J. Reilly
Center for Science, Technology and Values at the University of Notre Dame, has released the
annual list of emerging ethical dilemmas and policy issues in science and technology for 2021

1. Battle for the Arctic - the race to create new technologies to explore commercial gains in
the Arctic.

2. Your Digital Twin - a virtual copy of the person that can be analyzed without his or her
presence.

3. MIT’s Version of “Inception” - a sleep-tracking device that can alter dreams by tracking
hypnagogia and then delivering audio cues based on incoming physiological data, at
precise times in the sleep cycle, to make dream direction possible.

4. Robot Abuse - humans all over the world have been caught mercilessly harming robots
“for fun.”

5. “Stalkerware” Apps – a commercially available software used to spy on another person

via their device and without their consent.

6. The Data Void Left by Search Engines -search engine spit out a small amount of
information during searching

7. Telemedicine - use of electronic information and telecommunication technology to get the

health care you need while practicing social distancing.

8. App Profits off Foreclosures - a “gig economy” app company developed Civvl, a service
that contracts eviction crews to secure foreclosed residential properties.

9. Doomscrolling - the act of constantly consuming negative online content (or content that
makes you feel bad).

10. Facebook - Facebook has 2.45 billion monthly active users, has been involve0d in
dozens of ethics violations, and shows no signs of stopping in the foreseeable future.

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References:

Aldea, K. I., Caronan, H. P., & Candido, B. (2018). Science, Technology and Society (OBE

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Ready) (First). Books Atpb. Publishing Corp.

Quinto, E. M., & Nieva, A. D. (2019). Science, Technology and Society Outcome-Based
Module (1st ed.). B. C. Ofalia (Ed.). C&E Publishing.

Foundations of STI policy for sustainable and inclusive development. (2018). Technology and
Innovation Report 2018 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD) Technology and Innovation Report (TIR), 53–82.
https://doi.org/10.18356/3abd3198-en

ScienceDaily. Society. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/society.htm.

Top 10 scientific technology challenges in 2021. (2020, December 15). News | Discovery &
Design in the Lab. https://www.laboratoryequipment.com/571215-Top-10-Scientific
Technology-Challenges-in-2021/

What is telemedicine? (2021, January 20). VSee. https://vsee.com/what-is-telemedicine/

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