STS Reviewer
STS Reviewer
STS Reviewer
Lesson 1 – Historical Antecedents in which social considerations changed the course of Science and Technology
What is science?
- concerted human effort to understand, or to understand better, the history of the natural world and how
the natural world works, with observable physical evidence as the basis of that understanding.
- done through observation of natural phenomena, and/or through experimentation that tries to simulate
natural processes under controlled conditions.
- knowledge about or study of the natural world based on facts learned through experiments and
observation
What is technology?
- science or knowledge put into practical use to solve problems or invent useful tools.
- concerns itself with understanding how knowledge is creatively applied to organized tasks involving people
and machines that meet sustainable goals.
- a hands on, can do profession where people have to be skilled in many of the following: engineering,
communicating, designing, developing, innovating, managing, manufacturing, modelling, and systems
thinking.
How is science used in technology?
- Science is the pursuit of knowledge about the natural world through systematic observation and
experiments. Through science, we develop new technologies.
- Technology is the application of scientifically gained knowledge for practical purpose.
- Scientists use technology in all their experiments.
What is society?
- The sum total of our interactions as humans, including the interactions that we engage in to figure things
out and to make things
- a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group sharing the same
geographical or social territory, typically subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural
expectations.
What does science, technology and society mean?
- Science and technology studies, or science, technology and society studies (STS) is the study of how
society, politics, and culture affect scientific research and technological innovation, and how these, in turn,
affect society, politics and culture.
Unit 1: In the world: Ancient, Middle and Modern Ages
Major influence on Society
Egypt
- Papyrus is a thick type of paper made from the pith of the papyrus plant, Cyperus papyrus. It can also refer
to a document written on sheets of papyrus joined together side by side and rolled up into a scroll, an
early form of a book.
- Hieroglyphs is a character of the ancient Egyptian writing system a formal writing system used by the
ancient Egyptians that combined logographic and alphabetic elements
Ancient Babylonia
- cuneiform is one of the earliest systems of writing, distinguished by its wedge-shaped marks on clay
tablets, made by means of a blunt stylus ( tool for writing)
Ancient Greece
- public speaking, persuasive rhetoric, drama, and philosophy Rhetoric is an art that aims to improve the
capability of writers or speakers to inform, most likely to persuade, or motivate particular audiences in
specific situations
17TH CENTURY
- FRANCIS BACON contributed to the field in his writings which is Roman alphabet, is a writing system
originally used to write the Latin Language
ANCIENT ROME
- the style of writing changed and varied greatly throughout the Middle Ages, even after the invention of
the printing press
MODERN EUROPE
- THE PRINTING PRESS is one of the most influential events in the second millennium revolutionizing the
way people conceive and describe the world they live in, and ushering in the period of modernity
- The Printing Revolution occurred when the spread of the printing press facilitated the wide circulation of
information and ideas, acting as an "agent of change" through the societies that it reached
Unit 2: History of Science and Technology in The Philippines
PRE-SPANISH ERA
- Filipinos were already aware of the medicinal and therapeutic properties of plants and the methods of
extracting medicine from herbs. They already had an alphabet, number system, a weighing and measuring
system and a calendar. Filipinos were already engaged in farming, shipbuilding, mining and weaving
(Banaue Rice Terraces)
SPANISH COLONIAL ERA
- The Spanish introduced formal education and founded scientific institution and Parish schools were
established where religion, reading, writing, arithmetic and music was taught. Sanitation and more
advanced methods of agriculture was taught to the natives. Then, established colleges and universities in
the archipelago including the oldest existing university in Asia, the University of Santo Tomas. Trade was
given more focus by the Spaniard colonial authorities due to the prospects of big profits. Agriculture and
industrial development on the other hand were relatively neglected.
AMERICAN PERIOD
- On July 1, 1901, The Philippine Commission established the Bureau of Government Laboratories which
was placed under the Department of Interior, replaced the Laboratorio Municipal under the Spanish
colonial era. The Bureau dealt with the study of tropical diseases and laboratory projects. Then was
replaced by the Bureau of Science and on December 8, 1933, the National Research Council of the
Philippines was established.
POST COMMONWEALTH-ERA
- Under the 1973 Philippine Constitution, Article XV, Section 1, the government's role in supporting scientific
research and invention was acknowledged. In 1974, a science development program was included in the
government's Four-Year Development Plan which covers the years 1974- 1978. The National Science
Development Board was replaced by the National Science and Technology Authority under Executive
Order No. 784. A Scientific Career in the civil service was introduced in 1983.
AMERICAN PERIOD
- Science during the American period was inclined towards agriculture, food processing, forestry, medicine
and pharmacy. Not much focus was given on the development of industrial technology due to free trade
policy with the United States which nurtured an economy geared towards agriculture and trade.
POST COMMONWEALTH-ERA
- Under the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan for the years 1987-1992, science and technology's
role in economic recovery and sustained economic growth was highlighted. In August 8, 1988, Corazon
Aquino created the Presidential Task Force for Science and Technology which came up with the first
Science and Technology Master Plan or STMP. The goal of STMP was for the Philippines to achieve newly
industrialized country status by the year 2000.
What is paradigm?
- Paradigm is a typical example or pattern of something. It is a distinct set of concepts or thought patterns,
including theories, research methods, postulates, and standards for what constitutes legitimate
contributions to a field.
PARADIGM CHANGE or paradigm shift. Earlier steps have created the new model of understanding (the new
paradigm). The field is now back to the Normal Science step and a Kuhn Cycle is complete.
Historical Examples Of Paradigms
SOCIETY / ETHICS
- Slavery is acceptable to now slavery being unacceptable
- Role of Children in Society - Child labor was, now is not acceptable
- Male Superiority - Beating wives was, now is not acceptable
- Reading and the Control over information - Invention of the printing press (& other major inventions)
allowed for the elites control over reading / writing to end.
- The Reformation- broke monopoly of Catholic Church and Christian's "relationship" with God.
NATURAL SCIENCES
- Darwin’s theory of evolution
- Plate Tectonics— create a physical model of the Earth's structure
- Albert Einstein’s space-time is not fixed or objective— subject to observer’s state of motion relative to
other object.
HUMAN SCIENCES
- Psychology: Sigmund Freud—we are not fully in control of our behavior—a subconscious part operate
- Economics— government intervention in economy is now accepted.
THE ARTS
- The Realist paradigm: the purpose of art is to copy reality.
- Shakespeare's impact on drama / theater
- Jazz & rock revolutionizing music
Lesson 2: Intellectual Revolutions that defined Society
COPERNICAN
- This caused the paradigm shift of how the earth and sun were placed in the heavens/universe
DARWINIAN
- This has brought a great impact on how people approach Biology forever. This revolution provided a
different than the "theory of Creation".
FREUDIAN
- This theory has started to revolutionize Psychiatry with Sigmund Freud. This includes the "Freudian Theory
of Personality" that involves the human development contributes to his/her personality
INFORMATION
- This has been the era in which technology has been prevalent. It is also known as the Computer Age that
has brought so much change on how are we living today.
MESO-AMERICAN
- It has contributed a lot ideas or discoveries for Archaeology
ASIAN
- The revolution itself taught Asian countries about freedom and independent nationhood along the
improvement brought by it internally.
MIDDLE EAST
- The revolutions were a product of the development and growth of individual nationalism, imperialism, for
the efforts to westernize and modernize Middle Eastern societies, and to push the declining power of the
Ottoman Empire in the Arab region.
AFRICAN
- The fight against colonialism and imperialism in Africa
Lesson 3: Science and Technology and Nation Building
Role of science and technology for future development
1. To ensure national security and social stability
2. To sustain the growth of the national economy and to improve its efficiency
3. To prepare for a smooth transition to an information society
4. To improve the quality of life
5. To create a new culture suitable for the new society
Science and technology in the Philippines describe scientific and technological progress made by the Philippines
and analyses related policy issues.
8 Outstanding Filipino Scientists
1. Lucille Abad - She developed a plant vitamin – an effective plant growth promoter using irradiated seaweeds.
2. Phillip Alviola- helped develop methods to monitor biodiversity in protected areas
3. Nathaniel Hermosa II- breakthrough research "twisted" light and "slowed" it down.
4. Mario Antonio Jiz II- significantly contributed to the study of schistosomiasis and the development of a vaccine
against this disease.
5. Lanndon Ocampo- developed guidelines for strategic sustainable practices in manufacturing companies. He
significantly contributed to how industries could help address climate change.
6. Jeffrey Perez- contributed largely to the better understanding of fault lines and earthquakes in the Philippines.
7. Rogel Mari Sese- advocate of space research and development. He is spearheading what could be the
Philippines' space research agency.
8. Aletta Concepcion Yñiguez- contributed significantly to improving the Philippine sardine industry and managing
red tide.
The indigenous knowledge system is embedded in the cultural traditions of regional, indigenous, or local
communities. It is orally passed and evident in stories, poems, and songs.
Examples:
Desirable values
• prediction of weather 1. motivating attitudes
• using herbal medicine 2. cooperating attitudes
• preserving of foods 3. practical attitudes
• classifying plants and animals into families 4. reflective attitudes
• selecting good seeds for planting
unlimited goods—goods of the soul and we cannot have more of them than we need.
moral virtues- virtues exemplified by a regular disposition to choose correctly (moderation, courage, and justice)
Happiness to Aristotle "Happiness depends on ourselves.“ central purpose of human life and a goal in itself.
Isaac Asimov
- developed his famous "three laws of robotics".
• A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm
• A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict
with the First Law
• A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First
or Second Law
David Hanson
- an American scientist who once worked for Disney, has developed a novel form of artificial skin that
bunches and wrinkles just like human skin, and the robot heads he covers in this can smile, frown, and
grimace in very human-like ways.
Jaron Lanier
- an internet pioneer, has warned of the dangers such technology poses to our sense of our own humanity
-
Robot
- An actuated mechanism programmable in two or more axes with a degree of autonomy, moving within its
environment, to perform intended tasks.
Autonomy
- ability to perform intended tasks based on current state and sensing without human intervention
Software robots
• basically, just complicated computer programmes
Service Robot
• A robot that performs useful tasks for humans or equipment excluding industrial application.
Personal Service Robot
• Service robot for personal use
Professional service robot
• Used for a commercial task, usually operated by a properly trained operator.
Technology is one that has a "green" purpose - the long and short term impact an invention has on the
environment.
Duty-bearers
- those actors who have a particular obligation or responsibility to respect, promote and realize human
rights and to refrain from human rights violations
Right holder
- refers to a legal entity or person with exclusive rights to a protected copyright, trademark or patent, and
the related rights of producers, performers, producers and broadcasters
Human rights should be integral to the journey toward the ultimate good. They should guide humans not only to
flourish as individual members of the society, but also to assist each other in flourishing collectively as a society
Bill Joy (1954 – ) is an American computer scientist who co-founded Sun Microsystems in 1982 and served as chief
scientist at the company until 2003.
Arguments/Books
The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence by Ray Kurzweil
Unabomber by Ted Kaczynski
Robot: Mere Machine to Transcendent Mind by Hans Moravec