CHAPTER I

Science, Technology and Society: It’s Historical Antecedents

Intr
od Learning Objectives: uct
ion :
At the end of the Chapter, the students will be able to:
Wh
y 1. Define science, technology and society.
2. Discuss the reasons for studying science, technology and society.
3. Discuss historical antecedents in which social considerations
changed the course of science and technology.
4. State the effects that influence science, technology and society.

study science and technology in the context of society?

This is a very important question. However, before we can even address this
question, we must answer other more fundamental questions. What is Science? What
is technology? What are the differences between these? What is society?

In a general sense, science refers to the body of knowledge that has been
produced through the validated by systematic processes of inquiry. Posadas (1982)

Science refers to the dynamic, cumulative system of verifiable concepts, principles,

methods, laws, theories and processes which seek to describe, understand and predict
natural phenomena. Hence, it can be concluded that scientific knowledge is an outcome
of discovery.

On the other hand, technology refers to the translation of scientific knowledge into
machines, tools, designs, methods and processes that are used by human beings in
their practical endeavors. Posadas (1982) defines technology as the dynamic
cumulative system of reproducible methods, techniques, and processes which may be
derived from empirical know-how or scientific knowledge and which is used by human
societies for the production, improvement, and distribution of goods and services as well
as the satisfaction of other material needs.

Technology is a product of invention in the form of new and improved tools, or what
we call “hardware” and better ways of doing things or what we call “software”

Society is a growing of individuals, which is characterized by common interest and

may have distinctive culture and institutions. As society refers to a particular ethnic
group such as the Nuer, to a nation state such as Switzerland or to a broad cultural
group, such as Western Society. (New World Encyclopedia modified August 21, 2018)
 1.1. In the World: Ancient, Middle and Modern Age

The growth of the ancient civilizations, ancient technology was the result from
advances in engineering in ancient times. These advances in the history of technology
stimulated societies to adopt new ways of living and governance.
Technology in Africa has a history stretching to the beginning of the human species,
stretching back to the first evidence of tool use by hominid ancestors in the areas of
Africa where humans are believed to have evolved. Africa saw the advent of some of
the earliest ironworking technology in the Air Mountains region of what are today Niger
and the erection of some of the world's oldest monuments, pyramids and towers in
Egypt, Nubia, and North Africa.
Mesopotamians have been credited with the invention of the wheel. The wheel and
axle mechanism first appeared with the potter's wheel, invented in Mesopotamia
(modern Iraq) during the 5th millennium
Babylonian astronomy was able to follow the movements of the stars, planets, and
the Moon. Application of advanced math predicted the movements of several planets.
By studying the phases of the Moon, the Mesopotamians created the first calendar. It
had 12 lunar months and was the predecessor for both the Jewish and Greek
calendars.
Babylonian medicine used logic and recorded medical history to be able to
diagnose and treat illnesses with various creams and pills. Mesopotamians had two
kinds of medical practices, magical and physical. Unlike today they would use both on
the same patient.
The Egyptians invented and used many simple machines, such as the ramp to aid
construction processes. They were among the first to extract gold by large-scale mining
using fire-setting, and the first recognizable map, the Turin papyrus shows the plan of
one such mine in Nubia.
Egyptians made use of bricks composed mainly of clay, sand, silt, and other minerals.
These constructs would have been vital in flood control and irrigation, especially along
the Nile delta.
The history of science and technology in the Indian subcontinent dates back to the
earliest civilizations of the world. The Indus Valley civilization yields evidence of
mathematics, hydrography, metrology, metallurgy, astronomy, medicine, surgery, civil
engineering and sewage collection and disposal being practiced by its inhabitants.
The history of science and technology in China shows significant advances in
science, technology, mathematics, and astronomy. The first recorded observations of
comets, solar eclipses, and supernovae were made in China. Traditional Chinese
medicine, acupuncture and herbal medicine were also practiced. The Four Great
Inventions of China: the compass, gunpowder, papermaking, and printing were among
the most important technological advances, only known in Europe by the end of the
middle Ages.
Modern medicine in its socioeconomic and political context: medical practice and
healthcare during the Spanish Catholic Monarchy, particularly in the self-governing
Kingdom of Valencia; the presence of extra academic forms of medicine in the 16th and
17th centuries.
 The public and scientific activity: the circulation and popularization of scientific
ideas within the intellectual categories of this period, the Baroque representations of
medicine and natural history in sermons and creative literature during the Spanish
Catholic Monarchy.

The scientific ideas of astronomers, cosmographers and doctors in the Modern

Age: considering specifically the role of astrology, as well as the changes in the content
and limits of disciplines in the knowledge map of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Study of the role of doctors as experts in various fields: such as in the different
early medieval or modern Valencia courts or in municipal councils, through sources
from archives, religious literature (sermons) and poetry literature (Ausiàs March) of the
time.
Development of a complete catalogue of the collection from the legacy of doctor and
medical historian José Rodrigo Pertegás, located in different Valencian and Catalan
libraries and archives.

1.2. In the Philippines

Pre-Spanish Era

Even before the colonization by the Spaniards in the Philippine islands, the
natives of archipelago already had practices linked as science and technology. Filipinos
were already aware of the medicinal and therapeutic properties of plants and the
methods of extracting medicines from herbs. They have already alphabet, number
system, a weighing and measuring system and a calendar. Filipinos were already
engaged in farming, shipbuilding, mining and weaving. The Banaue Rice Terraces are
among the sophisticated products of engineering by pre-Spanish era.

Spanish Colonial Era

The Spanish introduced formal education and founded scientific institution; which
Parish Schools were established where religion, reading, writing, arithmetic and music
were taught. Sanitation and more advanced methods of agriculture were taught to the
natives. Later the establishment of colleges and universities .including the oldest
existing university in Asia, the University of Santo Tomas. The study of medicine was
given priority. They also contributed in the field of engineering and biology. The Galleon
Trade have accounted in colonial economy. Trade was given more focus by the
Spaniards colonial authorities due to the prospect of big profits. Agriculture and
industrial development on the other hand were relatively neglected. The opening of the
Suez Canal saw the influx to European visitors to the Spanish colony and some
Filipinos were able to study in Europe who was probably influenced by the rapid
development of scientific ideals brought by the Age of Enlightenment.
The progress of science and technology in the Philippines continued under
American rule of the islands.
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.
In 1946 the Bureau of Science was replaced by the Institute of Science. In a
report by the United States Economic Survey to the Philippines in 1950, there is a lack
of basic information which was necessities to the country’s industries, lack of support of
experimental work and minimal budget for scientific research and low salaries of
scientists employed by the government. In 1958, during the regime of President Carlos
P. Garcia, the Philippine Congress passed the Science Act of 1958 which established
the National Science Development Board.

Post Commonwealth Era

During the 1970s, which was under the time of Ferdinand Marcos’ presidency, the
importance given to science grew. 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. Funding
for Science was also increased. The National Science and Technology Authority under
Executive Order No. 784. A Scientific Career in civil service was introduced in 1983.
In 1986, during Corazon Aquino’s presidency, the National Science and
Technology Authority were replaced by the Department of Science and Technology,
giving science and technology a representation in the cabinet. 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. During Corazon
Aquino’s State of the Nation Address in 1990, she said that science and technology
development shall be one of the top three priorities of the government towards an
economic recovery.
In August 8, 1988, Corazon Aquino crested the Presidential Task Force foe
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. The Congress did not put much priority in handling bills
related to science and technology. The Senate Committee on Science and Technology
was one of the committees that handle the least amount of bills for deliberation.
Former Science and Technology secretary, Ceferin Follosco, reported that the
budget allocation for science and technology was increased to 1.054 billion pesos in
1989 from the previous years 1990 and 1991 were trimmed down to 920 and 854 million
pesos respectively. Budget allocation was increased to 1.7 billion pesos in 1992.
Fidel V. Ramos believes that science and technology was one of the means
wherein the Philippines could attain the status of new industrialized country (NIC).
During his term, he was able to establish programs that were significant to the field of
S&T. In 1993, Science and Technology Agenda for National Development (STAND)
were established. Among its priorities were: (1) exporting winners identified by the DTI;
(2) domestic needs identified by the President's Council for Countryside Development;
(3) support industries and (4) coconut industry development. Congress, during his term,
was able to enact laws that were significant for the field. Among were: (1) Magna Carta
for Science and Technology Personnel (Republic Act No. 8439); (2) Science and
Technology Scholarship Law of 1994 (Republic Act No. 7687) and (3) Inventors and
Inventions Incentives Act (Republic Act No. 7459). The Intellectual Property Code of the
Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293) was enacted during Ramos' term. The law provides
industrial property rights, copyrights and related rights, and technology transfer
arrangements. [33]
In President Joseph Estrada's term, two major legislations that he signed were
Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749[34]) which was designed to
protect and preserve the environment and ensure the sustainable development of its
natural resources, and Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 8792) [35]
which outlaws computer hacking and provides opportunities for new businesses
emerging from the Internet-driven New Economy. Aside from these, in his first State of
the Nation Address, President Estrada launched a full-scale program based on cost-
effective irrigation technologies. He also announced that Dole-outs are out, which meant
basic health care, basic nutrition, and useful education for those who want, but cannot
afford it. Lastly, he said that they would speed up the program to establish one science
high school in every province.[36] It was in his second State of the Nation Address that
President Estrada announced the passage of the Clean Air Act, and the decision to
pursue the 15-year modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.[37]
His last State of the Nation Address pushed for the advancement of industries and
schools into the Internet age, as well as the announcement of the passage of the e-
Commerce Act.[38]
In the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration, the science and technology sector
of the Philippines was dubbed as the "golden age" of science and technology by then
secretary Estrella Albastro [3]. Numerous laws and projects that concerns both the
environment and science to push technology as a tool to increase the country's
economic level. This is to help increase the productivity from Science, Technology and
Innovations (STI) and help benefit the poor people. Moreover, the term "Filipinnovation"
was the coined term used in helping the Philippines to be an innovation hub in Asia. [4]
The STI was developed further by strengthening the schools and education
system such as the Philippine Science High School (PSHS), which focuses in science,
technology and mathematics in their curriculum. This helps schools produce get more
involved in this sector. Private sectors were also encouraged to participate in
developing the schools through organizing events and sponsorships. Future Filipino
scientists and innovators can be produced through this system [4]
Helping the environment was one of the focuses in developing technology in the
Philippines. One of the more known laws to be passed by her administration was the
R.A. 9367 or the "Biofuels" act. This act promotes the development and usage of
biofuels throughout the country. This potentially enables a cheaper alternative to
gasoline as a medium in producing energy. Also, this benefits the environment since it
boasts a cleaner emission compared to regular fuel. Yet, setbacks such as lack of raw
materials is holding the full implementation of the laws since importing the necessary
materials are imported more.[5] On one hand, drought-free rice was also highly
encouraged to be used during her term. This enables farmers to produce rice despite
the environmental hazards that slows or stops the production. [3]
 In an effort to improve the efficiency of both land and water, the government
imposes Republic Act 10601 which improves the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector
through Mechanization (AFMech). RA 10601 covers research, development, and
extension (RDE), promotion, distribution, supply, assembling, manufacturing, regulation,
use, operation, maintenance and project implementation of agricultural and fisheries
machinery and equipment (Section 4).[39]
In 2014, President Aquino conferred four new National Scientist for their
contribution in the Scientific field,[40] Academicians Gavino C. Trono, Angel C. Alcala,
Ramon C. Barba, and Edgardo D. Gomez was honored in their respective fields.
Trono's contribution helped a lot of families in the coastal populations through the
extensive studies he made on seaweed species.

On the other hand, Alcala served as the pioneer scientist and advocate of coral
reefs aside from his contribution in the fields of systematics, secology and herpetology.
Barba's contribution changes the seasonal supply of fresh fruits to an all year round
availability of mangoes through his studies on the induction of flowering of mango and
micro propagation of important crop species. Lastly, Gomez steered the national-scale
assessment of damage coral reefs which led a national conservation.