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Module 4 -Philo Section 1-2

Accountancy (Notre Dame of Marbel University)

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MODULE [SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY (MST 112)]

MODULE 2
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY AND THE HUMAN CONDITION

INTRODUCTION

This module presents a number of important and timely philosophical concepts for
students that will help explore the functions, responsibilities, and impacts of science and
technology on society. The module is divided into five sections. In the face of rapid scientific
advancement and technological growth, these sections seek to provide students with cogent
and detailed information on the idea of human flourishing.

This module has five lessons:

Section 1 - Technology as a Way of Revealing
Section 2 - Human Flourishing in Progress and De-development
Section 3 - The Good life
Section 4 - When Technology and Humanity Cross
Section 5 - Why the Future Does Not Need Us

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module the students are expected to:

1. Differentiate the essences of technology and modern technology;
2. Determine what technology reveals;
3. Describe the role of art in a technological world.
4. Discuss human flourishing in the context of progress in science and technology;
5. Describe de-development as a progress and development framework; and
6. Differentiate between traditional frameworks of progress and development and
Hickel’s concept of de-development.
7. Define the idea of the good life;
8. Discuss Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia and arête; and
9. Identify how humans attempt to attain what is deemed to be a good life; and
10. Examines contemporary issues and come up with innovative and creative solutions
to contemporary issues guided by ethical standards leading to a good life.
11. Explain a human rights-based approach to science, technology, and development;
12. Identify key documents and their principles that ensures the well-being of humans in
the midst of scientific progress and technological development; and
13. Discuss the importance of upholding human rights in science, technology, and
development.
14. Identify William Nelson Joy’s arguments as to why the future does not need us;

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15. Evaluate contemporary human experiences with science and technology; and
16. Write an essay that emphasizes the importance of humankind in visualizing the
future.

ACTIVITY:

Section 1 : Pre-learning Question;

Reflect and share: What would have happened to humankind if technology did not
exist?
(Someone will be asked to share)
Section 2 : Pre-learning Question;
Answer the Diagnostics on page 81- 82 of your book. Follow the Instruction properly.
Section 3: Pre-learning Question;
Answer the Diagnostics on page 95- 96 of your book. Follow the Instruction properly.
Section 4: Pre-learning Question;
Answer the Diagnostics on page 112 of your book. Follow the Instruction properly.
Section 5: Pre-learning Question;
Answer the Diagnostics on page 123 of your book. Follow the Instruction properly.

Acquisition of New Knowledge/ lesson Proper:

(A lecture will be conducted via a Zoom Meeting.)

SECTION 1
TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING

This section tackles the essence of technology based on Martin Heidegger’s work, The
Question Concerning Technology. The section shall engage in the process of questioning
concerning technology . It discusses the key concepts related to Heidegger’s work and how
these concepts relate to an understanding of the essence of technology.

The Essence of Technology

The essence of technology can be captured in its definition. In his treatise, The Question
Concerning Technology, Martin Heidegger (1977) explains the two widely embraced definitions
of technology
1. Instrumental definition: Technology is a means to an end.

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2. Anthropological definition: Technology is a human activity.

Technology as a Way of Revealing: The Question of Technology by Martin Heidegger

 The essence of a thing is considered to be what the thing is.
 One says Technology is a means to an end while the other says Technology is a human
activity
 Heidegger stressed that the true can only be pursued through the correct.
 Bringing forth can be understood through the philosophical concept, poiesis.
 Poiesis refers to the act of bringing something out of concealment.
 Aletheia is translated as unclosedness, unconcealedness, disclosure, or truth.
 Techne means skill, art, or craft.

Technology as Poiesis: Does Modern Technology Bring Forth or Challenge Forth?

 Heidegger considers modern technology’s way of revealing as way of challenging forth.
 Heidegger characterizes modern technology as a challenging forth since it is very
aggressive in its activity.
 Modern technology confronts nature and its resource demands that are forcefully
exploited for human consumption and storage much of the time.
 With modern technology, revealing never comes to an end.
 Heidegger described modern technology as the AGE OF SWITCHES, standing reserves
and storage for his own sake.

Enframing as Modern Technology’s Way of Revealing

Enframing is akin to two ways of looking at the world:
 calculative thinking
 meditative thinking

The Dangers of Technology

 The dangers of technology lie in how people let it overtake them. Although
humans are looped into the cycle of bringing forth or bringing forth challenges, it is
their responsibility to recognize how they become technological instruments.

Read “Human person swallowed by technology” from the link:

http://tiny.cc/HumanSwallowedByTech
(Source: McNamara, Daniel (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon: C & E Publishing, Inc.)

Art as the Saving power

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 Friedrich Holderlin, a German poet quoted by Heidegger, said: “ But where danger
is, grows the saving power also” (1977).
 Heidegger proposed art as the saving power and the way out of enframing: “And
art was simply called techne.

Read “Art as a way out of Enframing” from the link: http://tiny.cc/Enframing

(Source: McNamara, Daniel (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon: C & E Publishing, Inc.)

For details : Kindly refer to page 62 to 69 of your book:

(Source: Quinto, Edward, & Nieva, Aileen (2019). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon: C & E
Publishing, Inc.)

SECTION 2
HUMAN FLOURISHING IN PROGRESS AND DE-DEVELOPMENT

This section presents the development framework of Jason Hickel which focuses on de-
development. Departing from traditional growth and development frameworks, Hickel 's concept of de-
development is being debated as an alternative to narrowing the gap between rich and poor
countries.Thus, taking off from this alternative framework, the section critics human flourishing vis-à-vis
science and technology advances.

Read Section 2 on page 81 - 85 of your book.

(Source: Quinto, Edward, & Nieva, Aileen (2019). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon: C & E
Publishing, Inc.)

Human Flourishing

Eudaimonia, literally "good spirited," coined by renowned Greek philosopher (385—323 BC) to
describe the pinnacle of happiness that is attainable by humans.
 This has often been translated into "human flourishing" in literature, arguably likening
humans to flowers achieving their full bloom.
 As discussed in the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle's human flourishing arises as a result of
different components such as phronesis, friendship, wealth, and power.
 In the Ancient Greek society, they believe that acquiring these qualities will surely bring
the seekers happiness, which in effect allows them to partake in the greater notion of
what we call the Good.
As times change, elements that comprise human flourishing changed, which are subject to the
dynamic social history as written by humans. People found means to live more comfortably, explore
more places, develop more products, and make more money, and then repeating the process in full
circle. In the beginning, early people relied on simple machines to make hunting and gathering easier.
This development allowed them to make grander and more sophisticated machines to aid them in their

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endeavors that eventually led to space explorations, medicine innovations, and ventures of life after
death. Our concept of human flourishing today proves to be different from what Aristotle originally
perceived then— humans of today are expected to become a "man of the world." He is supposed to
situate himself in a global neighborhood, working side by side among institutions and the government to
be able to reach a common goal. Competition as a means of survival has become passé; coordination is
the new trend.
Interestingly, there exists a discrepancy between eastern and western conception regarding
society and human flourishing. It has been observed that western civilization tends to be more focused
on the individual, while those from the east are more community-centric. Human flourishing as an end
then is primarily more of a concern for western civilizations over eastern ones. This is not to discredit
our kinsfolk from the east; perhaps in their view, community takes the highest regard that the individual
should sacrifice himself for the sake of the society. This is apparent in the Chinese Confucian system or
the Japanese Bushido, both of which view the whole as greater than their components. The Chinese and
the Japanese encourage studies of literature, sciences, and art, not entirely for oneself but in service of a
greater cause. The Greek Aristotelian view, on the other hand, aims for eudaimonia as the ultimate
good; there is no indication whatsoever that Aristotle entailed it instrumental to achieve some other
goals. Perhaps, a person who has achieved such state would want to serve the community, but that is
brought upon through deliberation based on his values rather than his belief that the state is greater
than him, and thus is only appropriate that he should recognize it as a higher entity worthy of service.
Nevertheless, such stereotypes cannot be said to be true given the current stance of
globalization. Flourishing borders allowed people full access to cultures that as a result, very few are
able to maintain their original philosophies. It is in this regard that we would tackle ide human
flourishing—in a global perspective and as a man of the world.

Science, Technology, and Human Flourishing

In the previous chapters, contributions of science and technology have been laid down
thoroughly. Every discovery, innovation, and success contributes to our pool of human knowledge.
Perhaps, one of the most prevalent themes is human's perpetual need to locate himself in the world by
finding proofs to trace evolution. The business of uncovering the secrets of the universe answers the
question of our existence and provides us something to look forward to. Having a particular role, which
is uniquely ours, elicits our idea of self-importance. It is in this regard that human flourishing is deeply
intertwined with goal setting relevant to science and technology. In this case, the latter is relevant as a
tool in achieving the former or echoing Heidegger's statement, technology is a human activity that we
excel in as a result of achieving science. Suffice to say that the end goals of both science and technology
and human flourishing are related, in that the good is inherently related to the truth. The following are
two concepts about science which ventures its claim on truth.

(Source: Serafica, Janice et al. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon: Rex Book Store, Inc.)

SECTION 3
THE GOOD LIFE

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This section incorporates principles from Nichomachean Ethics by Aristotle, and uses the
sae philosophical lens to explore problems in contemporary science and technology. It
discusses the important Aristotelian principles of eudaimonia and arête, and how they can be
used to determine one 's relationship and scientific and technical relationships. As such, the
section also aims to answer the question, “ Are we living the good life?”

Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics and the Good Life

Kindly read about “Aristotle’s Ethics” by clicking the link

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/

In Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle stated:

“All human activities at at some good. Every art and human inquiry, and similarly every
action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good; and for this reason the good has been
rightly declared as that at which all things aim” (Nichomachean Ethics 2:2).

 Everyone is moving towards the good.

 Good life is more than these countless expressions of what is good.
 The ancient Greeks called this concept of “living well and doing well” as eudaimonia.
 Happiness is the ultimate end of human action.

Eudaimonia: The Ultimate Good

 Aristotle explained that every action aims at some good. However, some actions aim at
an instrumental good while some aim at an intrinsic good.

Eudaimonia: Uniquely Human?

Eudaimonia or happiness is unique to humans for it is a uniquely human function.
Aristotle’s notion of a tripartite soul illustrates a nested hierarchy of the functions and
activities of the soul ( refer to Table 1 on page 99)

Arête and Human Happiness

Eudaimonia is what defines the good life.
For Aristotle, eudaimonia is only possible by living a life of virtue.

Arête defined as “excellence of any kind” and can also mean “moral virtue”.
Two types of virtue:
 Intellectual virtue

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 moral virtue

Read Section 3 on page 96 - 101 of your book.

(Source: Quinto, Edward, & Nieva, Aileen (2019). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon: C & E
Publishing, Inc.)

SECTION 4
WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSS

This section addresses the quintessential documents that safeguard human rights in the
face of scientific and technological advances and ensure the welfare of the human individual.
Indeed, if humans are to journey toward living the good life, they have to make informed
choices in dealing with science and technology. Thus, the section draws from S. Romi
Mukherjee’s proposals for human rights-based approaches to science, technology, and
development. It reviews key principles from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
UNESCO Recommendation on the Status of Scientific Researchers, and UNESCO Declaration on
the Use of Scientific Knowledge and how these international documents position human rights
in the intersection of technology and humanity.

Read Section 4 on page 111 - 115 of your book.

(Source: Quinto, Edward, & Nieva, Aileen (2019). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon: C & E
Publishing, Inc.)

The ever-growing society has made people see technology as some form of necessity.
Tracing back its origins, the word "technology" came from the Greek words techne and logos
which mean art and word, respectively. Taking the two words together, technology means a
discourse on arts (Buchanan, 2010). It first appeared in the seventeenth century where the
concept was only used to talk about the arts, specifically applied arts. However, as technology
progressed, the concept also started to have a wider range of meaning where art is no longer
the only topic included. Concepts like machine and tools were also attached to the word
"technology" which is the more popular sense of the concept nowadays.
The roles played by technology these days are very crucial not only to a few but also to
everyone. In one way or another, each person in the society is directly or indirectly affected by
technology whether he wills it or not. In fact, most people survive their everyday lives with
great reliance to the different technological advancements already available to the masses.
While there may be some who would claim that their lives are not greatly affected by
technology, the fact cannot be denied that technology is already an inevitable part of the
society.
It is with great effort that people were able to achieve such great inventions. It makes
life so much easier and more convenient than ever before. It can clearly be seen from the
simplest task at home to the most complicated ones inside the office or laboratory. Technology
these days enjoys such fame and glory because of the many different benefits it brings to
mankind. Some would even say that it does not only bring convenience but also pleasure and

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happiness to people. This is because of the different leisure activities that technology can offer
to people. For example, it allows people to listen to good music wherever they are. Another is,
it allows them to communicate with their loved ones anywhere in the world; but most of all, it
allows them to surf and play games anytime, anywhere.
The act of pinpointing a single activity that does not in any way require the use of
technology has become very hard because almost all activities that humans perform already
require the assistance of some kind of technological advancement. But this is not all, for there
are people who would even argue that technology has become a necessity and no longer a
want. At present, people work very hard in order to save money to buy these "necessities"
while in the past, people only used their money for the things that would help them survive like
food, housing, and clothing. In effect, anything outside these categories was considered a
luxury. However, that is no longer the case at present.
In general, technology keeps on progressing due to not only the changing times and
environment but also to the ever-progressing mind of mankind. It would not be possible for all
these technological advancements to exist if it were not for the brilliance, creativeness, and
power of the mind. However, it is also important to note that anything too much is bad. The
same problem is faced by technology. Although it has been very helpful to people, it is still not
immune to criticisms and backlash. Various ethical dilemmas have been identified throughout
time involving the use of different technological devices and its effects to humanity. Usually,
different problems arise when either the technological device available is misused or if in the
first place, it was invented to produce bad results. People who are aware of the possible
dangers of the use or misuse of technology are not keeping still. They lay these dilemmas for
the public to see and realize what they are in for.

(Source: Serafica, Janice et al. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon: Rex Book Store,
Inc.)

SECTION 5
WHY THE FUTURE DOES NOT NEED US

This section tackles the danger posed by science and technology unchecked by moral
and ethical standards. It primarily draws insights from William Nelson Joy’s (2000) article, Why
the future doesn’t need us?, in evaluating contemporary human experience in the midst of
rapid developments in science and technology. Such experience will be discussed to see
whether it strengthens and enlightens the human person functioning in society or not.

Read Section 3 on page 123 - 125 of your book.

(Source: Quinto, Edward, & Nieva, Aileen (2019). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon: C &
E Publishing, Inc.)

Robotics and Humanity

Another great product of the innovative minds of the people is the robot. Robots are
now widely used. For example, there are the so-called service robots. These particular robots

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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 (IFR, 2012):

 A robot is an actuated mechanism programmable in two or more axes with a degree of
autonomy, moving within its environment, to perform intended tasks. Autonomy in
this context means the ability to perform intended tasks based on current state and
sensing without human intervention.
 A service robot is a robot that performs useful tasks for humans or equipment excluding
industrial automation application. Note: A robot may be classified according to its
intended application as an industrial robot or a service robot.
 A personal service robot or a service robot for personal use is a service robot used for a
noncommercial task, usually by laypersons. Examples are domestic servant robot,
automated wheelchair, personal mobility assist robot, and pet exercising robot.
 A professional service robot or a service robot for professional use is a service robot
used for a commercial task, usually operated by a properly trained operator. Examples
are cleaning robot for public places, delivery robot in offices or hospitals, firefighting
robot, rehabilitation robot, and surgery robot in hospitals. In this context, an operator
is a person designated to staff, monitor, and stop the intended operation of a robot or
a robot system.

Germany was one of the first countries to develop service robots. As part of the German
Federal Ministry of Education and Research's "Service Robotics Innovation Lead Initiative," it
sponsored a collaborative project called DESIRE (Deutsche Servicerobotik Initiative—Germany
Service Robotics Initiative) which was launched on October 1, 2005. DESIRE has the following
individual objectives (DESIRE, 2009):
 To achieve a technological edge toward attaining key functions and components that
are suited for everyday use
 To create a reference architecture for mobile manipulation
 To promote the convergence of technologies through integration into a common
technology platform
 To conduct pre-competition research and development activities for new products and
technology transfer in start-up enterprises in the field of service robotics

Some-of the expected work to be performed by DESIRE are the following:

1. “Clear up the kitchen table” — all objects on top of the kitchen table will be
moved to where they belong;
2. "Fill the dishwasher" — the dirty dishes will be sorted correctly into the
dishwasher; and
3. “Clear up this room” — all objects that are not in their proper places will be
moved to where they belong (Mock, n.d.).

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The earliest conception of robots can be traced around 3000 B.C. from the Egyptians. Their
water clocks used human figurines to strike the hour bells. This mechanical device was built to
carry out a specific physical task regularly. From that time on, different machines were already
built that displayed the same mechanism and characteristics as the robots in the present. For
example, there was a wooden pigeon that could fly, a talking doll, steam-powered robots, and
hydraulically-operated statues that could speak and gesture. However, the earliest robots as
people know them were created in the early 1950s by George Devol. "Unimate" was his first
invention from the words "Universal Automation." Unfortunately his attempt to sell his
product to the industry did not succeed. After Unimate, several robots were also invented
which were better versions of the previous ones (Stanford, n.d.). Ever since, people never
stopped their quest in the field of robotics.

(Source: Serafica, Janice et al. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon: Rex Book Store,
Inc.)

APPLICATION/ ASSIGNMENT:

Section 1 : Answer Assignment 5. The Dangers of Technology on page 77- 80 of your book.
Copy and answer the questions on a MS Word document. Submit your output to this email :
joleeannhuliganga@gmail.com
Section 2 : Answer Exercise 3. Reaction Paper on page 91 of your book. Copy and answer the
question on a MS Word document. Submit your output to this email :
joleeannhuliganga@gmail.com
Section 3 : Answer Exercise 1. Reading Comprehension Task on page 103 of your book. Copy
and answer the questions on a MS Word document. Submit your output to this email :
joleeannhuliganga@gmail.com
Section 4 : Answer Exercise 1. Reading Comprehension Task on page 117- 118 of your book.
Copy and answer the questions on a MS Word document. Submit your output to this email :
joleeannhuliganga@gmail.com
Section 5 :Answer Exercise 1. Metacognitive Reading Report on page 127 -128 of your book.
Copy and answer the questions on a MS Word document. Submit your output to this email :
joleeannhuliganga@gmail.com

ASSESSMENT

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MODULE [SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY (MST 112)]

Section 1 Quiz:
Section 2 Quiz:
Section 3 Quiz:

REFERENCES

McNamara, Daniel (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon: C & E Publishing, Inc.

Quinto, Edward, & Nieva, Aileen (2019). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon: C & E
Publishing, Inc.

Serafica, Janice et al. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon: Rex Book Store, Inc.

Richard Kraut (2018). Aristotle’s Ethics, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2018
Edition). https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/

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