SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION GENERAL CONCEPTS AND STS HISTORICAL

DEVELOPMENT

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This module aims to discuss the following topics - Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society;
Historical antecedents of Science and Technology. There are varied activities and assessments to be
accomplished that will enhance your knowledge and understanding on the general concepts and historical
developments of science and technology up to the present times.

Lesson 1 – Introduction to Science, Technology and Society

This lesson intends to introduce Science, Technology, and Society (STS) as a field of study. Further,
this traces the historical roots of STS as an academic field following the description of Science and Technology
and discussion of the same. The significance to study STS in an age of scientific progress and technological
development was brought about by the existence of ethical dilemmas as enumerated herein and discussed.

Science - refers to a system and accurate activity of pattern and plan of knowledge about how the universe act
through observation, experimentation or both. According to the famous American science historian, “John
Heilbron (2003)”, Modern Science is a discovery as well as invention. He also explained that Science required
invention to devise techniques, abstractions, apparatuses, and organizations to describe this natural
regularities and their law-like descriptions.

Technology-application of theoretical knowledge of industry and the industrial arts to produce services,
materials, tools and machines aimed at solving real-world problems. It comes from the Greek root word
“techne”, meaning art, skill or cunning of hand. As what Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, explained in
December 2014 during a live public question and answer event: “A technological tool is something that takes a
human’s sense or ability and augments it and makes it more powerful.” He gave as example that the wearing
of contact lenses or glasses is a technology that enhances human ability of vision and makes it better.

Wolpert (2005)- made an interesting comparison between science and technology that is helpful in the study of
their interaction with society. He explained the possible uses and applications of such scientific knowledge. He
clearly emphasized that science is not the same as technology. He further explained that the very nature of
science, not to predict scientific discoveries. Scientists are responsible for the reliable conduct and honest
interpretation and dissemination, technological application of science. Advancements in science and
technology became pervasive. It shows in the activities that humans proceed the use of tools every day. The
elegance of this is to bring things forward Humans today live more productive and full of eagerness than
before. With these, it is expected that the generations of children and the children of their children have the
chance to lead even better lives than of the past generation. The introduction of machines tremendously cut
the need for human workforce. The invention of drugs, the rise of social media the way to communicate,
interact and share information. Carl Sagan, American popular scientist quoted in Tom Head’s (2006) book:
“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 of disaster.

STS ( Science, Technology and Society) - seeks to bridge the gap between two traditionally exclusive
cultures— humanities (interpretive) and natural sciences (rational)—so that humans will be able to better
confront the moral, ethical, and existential dilemmas brought by the continued developments in science and
technology.

The John J. Reilly Center for Science, Technology, and Values of the University of Notre Dame is
responsible for listing the ten emerging ethical dilemmas and policy issues in science and technology every
year. Below is the list of 2018:
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. Ransom ware. 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 police if you were on your
phone before an accident.
6. Social Credit Systems. A system of scoring people through their actions by monitoring them under a
surveillance camera.
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. An app that stores the deceased’s footprint. Can we create a chat bot out of
our loved ones’ old texts and social media posts?
10. The Citizen App. An app that notifies users of existing events in a particular area. (E.g. heavy traffic,
ongoing crimes)

References:
www.ucl.ac.uk/sts. Science and Technology Studies
c.ambrosio@ucl.ac.uk Natural Sciences BSc (stream options)
w.maclehose@ucl.ac.uk The pathological and the normal: Mapping the brain in medieval medicine.
Edward Jay Mansarate Quinto and Aileen Domondon Nieva (2019). SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND
SOCIETY: Outcome-Based Module. C&E publishing

For additional information read the article published in Science News (December 17, 2012) entitled “Emerging
Ethical Dilemmas in Science and Technology. Click this link to read the article:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121217162440.htm

MODULE 2: HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN WHICH SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

CHANGED THE COURSE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Lesson 2 – Historical Antecedents of STS This lesson aims to discuss how society was affected and
influenced by Science and Technology ranging for three Historical Periods namely; Ancient Period,
middle Ages, and Modern Ages. This lesson also deals with important Philippine Inventions and Innovations
with emphasis on various social, cultural, economic and political effects of scientific and technological invention
in history. One of the key interests of STS as an academic field is the history of science and technology. As a
strand of STS, the history of science and technology focuses on how science and technology have changed
across time. Also, it explores the impacts of scientific and technological innovations on the prevailing social,
cultural, political and economic contexts throughout history.
An antecedent is a thing that comes before something else. By understanding how previous generations
influenced by developments in science and technology now come up with proper application of science and
technology in our daily life.
Ancient Period
The beginning of ancient civilizations prepared the direction for advances in science and technology which
advances permitted said civilizations to blossom by introducing better ways of communication, transportation,
and self-organization and of living in general. Inventions and innovations introduced during this period are the
following:
1. Ancient wheel – begun by Sumerians by using a mechanical device using
potter’s wheel —a heavy flat disk made of hardened clay which was spun on an
axis. It was until 1000- 1500 years later that the wheel was first used on carts.

2. Paper - introduced by ancient Egyptians at around 3000

BC by writing on Papyrus, a material similar to thick paper. Papyrus is made from the
pith of the papyrus plant cyperus papyrus

3. Shadoof – was an early tool invented and used by ancient Egyptians to irrigate
land. Also spelled as Shaduf which was a hand operated device utilized for lifting
water.
4. Antikythera mechanism – invented by the Greeks which was
discovered in 1902 and was retrieved from the waters of Antikythera, Greece. This
mechanism was implemented to predict astronomical positions and eclipses for calendar
and astrological considerations. The same was invented by Greek scientist between 150-
100 BC. The Antikythera mechanism is one of the most amazing mechanical devices
discovered from the ancient world.
5. Aeolipile – also known as Hero’s engine believed as ancient precursor of the steam
engine. The Aeolipile is a steam powered engine which spun when the water container was
heated.

4.2. Middle Ages

II. Middle Ages
Increase of new inventions, introduction of innovations in traditional production, and emergence of scientific
thinking and method. The middle Ages was not as a stagnant as alternate terms such as the ‘Medieval Period’
or ‘Dark Ages’ suggest. In fact, many medieval universities at the same time stirred scientific thinking and built
infrastructures for scientific communities to flourish.
1. Heavy Plough – One of the most important technological innovations during the middle ages. Clay soil
despite being more fertile than lighter types of soil, was not cultivated because of its heavy weight. Professor
Thomas Bernebeck Andersen of the University of Southern Denmark succinctly describes the impact of the
invention of heavy plough. The heavy plough stirred an agricultural revolution in Northern Europe marked by
higher and healthier agricultural yields and more efficient agricultural practices.

2. Gun Powder – Around 850 AD, Chinese alchemists accidentally invented black powder or gunpowder.
Since its invention, the gunpowder has allowed for more advanced warfare. From fiery arrows to cannons and
grenades, the gunpowder has prompted foundation for the functionality of almost every new weapon used in
war since its invention. It’s ushered in an unprecedented advancement in warfare and combat throughout the
middle Ages.
3. Paper Money – the first known versions of paper money could be traced back to the Chinese in 17thcentury
AD as an offshoot of the invention of block printing, which is similar to stamping. Before the introduction of
paper money, precious metals, such as gold and silver were used as currency. The idea of assigning value to
a marked piece of paper did not immediately become popular. When the Mongol’s attempted to introduce
paper money into the Middle East market in the 13th century, it did not gain immediate success. Traders and
Merchants eventually realized the huge advantage of using paper money because it was easier to transport
around compared to the previous forms of currencies.

4. Mechanical Clock – The development of mechanical clocks paved the way for
accurately keeping track of time. The sophistication of clockwork technology of the
mechanical track drastically changed the way days were spent and work patterns were
established, particularly in the more advanced Middle Age cities.
 5. Spinning Wheel – a machine used for transforming fiber into thread or yarn
and eventually woven into cloth on a loom. Although no consensus could be
made regarding the origin of the spinning wheel, it is theorized that the Indians
invented the spinning wheel between 6th and 11th century AD. According to
White (1974), the invention of the spinning wheel sped up the rate at which fiber
could be spun by a factor of 10 to 100 times. Thus, White argued that this
invention ushered in a breakthrough in linen production when it was introduced in
Europe in 13th century AD.
They would quickly replace the more traditional method of hand spinning and
were a prerequisite to the later innovations made during the Industrial Revolution like the Spinning Jenny and
spinning frame.
Spinning wheels appear to have their origin in India sometime between the 5th and 10th Century AD. They
would eventually reach Europe later in the middle Ages thanks to the Silk Road. They would quickly replace
the more traditional method of hand spinning and were a pre-requisite to the later innovations made during the
Industrial Revolution like the Spinning Jenny and spinning frame. The spinning wheel can, therefore, be argued
to have helped lay the foundations for the modern world - as unlikely as that might seem at first.
4.3. Modern Ages
A period of increased efficiency in transportation, communication and production brought about by a steady
increase in world population. This is also the time when industrialization took place.

1. Compound Microscope – A Dutch spectacle maker named Zacharias Jansen is credited

for the invention of the first compound microscope in 1590. Together with his father Hans,
Zacharias began experimenting with lenses by putting together several lenses on a tube.
This led to an amazing discovery that an object, when placed near the end of the tube, can
be magnified far larger than what a simple magnifying lens can do. Today, the compound
microscope is an important instrument in many scientific studies, such as in the areas of
medicine, forensic studies, tissue analysis, atomic studies and genetics.

2. Telescope – It was Galileo Galilei who invented the telescope, the single, most
important technological invention in the study of astronomy during Modern Ages. It
could magnify objects 20 times larger than the Dutch perspective glasses. It was
Galileo who first used the telescope skyward and made important astronomical
discoveries, and identified the presence of craters and mountains on the moon. For
the first time, it became clear that the universe is far larger than previously imagined
and the earth far smaller compared to the entire universe.

3. Jacquard Loom – one of the most critical drivers of the revolution. Built
by French weaver Joseph Marie Jacquard, the Jacquard loom simplifies
textile manufacturing. Prior to the invention of the Jacquard loom, a
drawloom was used which required two individuals to operate—the weaver
and a “drawboy”—if figured designs on textile were needed. The Jacquard
loom is also important antecedent of modern computer technology as it
demonstrated the use of punched cards to instruct a machine to carry out
complex tasks, i.e., making different textile patterns.
 4. Engine – Powered Airplane – invented
by the Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur,
with an original flying machine patent (US
patent NO. 821393) and referred to as
airoplanes. The Wright Brothers were
brilliant scientist who prepared the path for
modern aircraft technology.

5. Television – was invented by the Scottish

Engineer John Loggy Beird paving the way
to the invention of the modern television.
Filipino Scientists Inventions
Filipinos are responsible for developing many scientific and technological innovations focused on navigation,
traditional shipbuilding, textiles, food processing, indigenous arts and techniques, and even cultural inventions.
The following are some of the most important inventions by Filipino scientists:
1. Electronic Jeepney (e- jeepney) – The e- jeepney is the inventive response to criticisms to the traditional
jeepney that belched smoke, directly causing air pollution which made it unsustainable and uneconomical. E –
jeepney are designed to be environment- friendly, eliminating noise and air pollution as they run on electricity
They are also more economical for electricity is far cheaper than ordinary diesel, allowing jeepney drivers to
earn more profit.
2. Erythromycin- an antibiotic out of a strain of bacterium called Streptomycin erythreus, invented by the
Ilonggo Scientist Abelardo Aguilar. Probably, this is one of the most important inventions in field of medicine.

3. Medical Incubator- invented by world renowned Filipino paediatrician and

national scientist Fe Delmundo. This device is intended to regulate body temperature
of new born babies in the rural areas.

4. Mole Remover- a local invention in 2000 that had the ability to easily remove mole and wart of the skin
without any surgical procedure was invented by Rolando dela Cruz. This was made out of the extracts of
cashew nuts (Annacardium occidentale), very common in the Philippines.
5. Banana Catsup- invented by a Filipino food technologist, Maria Orosa. This catsup made use of mashed
banana and combined with sugar, vinegar and spices.

QUIZ 1:

 In technology give one ethical issue and write an essay about your opinion about that.
For Example:

Misuse of Personal Information

One of the primary ethical dilemmas in our technologically empowered age revolves around how businesses
use personal information. As we browse internet sites, make online purchases, enter our information on
websites, engage with different businesses online and participate in social media, we are constantly providing
personal details. Companies often gather information to hyper-personalize our online experiences, but to what
extent is that information actually impeding our right to privacy?
Personal information is the new gold, as the saying goes. We have commoditized data because of the value it
provides to businesses attempting to reach their consumer base. But when does it go too far? For businesses,
it’s extremely valuable to know what kind of products are being searched for and what type of content people
are consuming the most. For political figures, it’s important to know what kind of social or legal issues are
getting the most attention. These valuable data points are often exploited so that businesses or entities can
make money or advance their goals. Facebook in particular has come under fire several times over the years
for selling personal data it gathers on its platform.

Note: Do not copy any answers from the internet. Once I prove that you only copy your answer in the internet,
your submission will be void.

Quiz 2:

Direction: Answer the following questions and write your answer on the space provided.

1. Give three other major scientific and technological developments in the world (or in the Philippines)
that created a large impact on your daily life

2. What historical antecedents gave rise to the inventions you mentioned in the first question?

3. How did the developments in science and technology shape human history? (Essay, use at least 5
sentences to explain your answer) 5 pts.

4. What do you think is the importance of progressive invention? (Essay, use at least 5 sentences to
explain your answer) 5 pts.

5. Give 5 inventions from the past civilizations that are still used these days.