LECTURE

Science, Technology and Society

- Is the study of how social, political, and cultural values affect scientific research and
technological innovation and how these, in turn, affect society.
- Refers to the interaction between science and technology and social cultural, political
and economic contexts which shape and are shaped by them.

Science
 Science is systematized body of knowledge
 Science is an organized and dynamic inquiry (following scientific method)
 Science is knowledge gained through observation and experimentation
 Science is a human activity; scientist
 Science is a social enterprise: people, knowledge, skills , facilities, apparatuses and
technologies
 Science leads to formation of concepts, methods, principles, theories, law and
procedures which seek to describe and explain nature and its phenomena.

Technology
 Technology as material products; results of scientific inquiry; hardware produced by a
scientist.
 Technology as the application of knowledge in solving scientific and practical problems
that will help human survive and improve his life.
 Technology as social enterprise – a complex system of knowledge, skills people,
methods, tools, material and resources applied and allocated to the development,
operation and production of a new or improved products, process or services.

Disadvantages and Ethical Dilemmas of Science and Technology

1. Threats to human survival
2. Ethical dilemmas
3. Disparities in human well being
4. Social and cultural conflicts
5. Innovating technologies