UNIT I

STS: General Concepts &

Historical Development
Dr. Rita Esteban-Pulmano
 “Nothing occurs at random;
but everything for a reason
and necessity”

Leucippus
 Chapter 1
Introduction to Science , Technology & Society

Chapter Outline:
• The challenge of Science
• The effects of S & T to the Society
• Face to Face with Science
• S & T Fused Together
• Where S & T is taking the Society
Broadly speaking, we are in the middle of
the race between human skill as a means
and human folly as an end.

Bertrand Russel, 2016 The Impact of Science on Society, p.88

The Challenge of Science on the great minds
➢To prove the origin of the universe, and the position of
man in the universe
➢ Positin of the earth
➢Origin of man
➢Is man really the product of natural processes such as evolution?
➢Is man created by a supernatural divine being?
➢Man’s way of life
➢Transportation
➢Communication
➢Health & diseases, etc.
The effects of S & T to the Society

sS & T bring about development to the society and it is affecting all

aspects of human life.
The effects of S & T to the Society

S & T bring about development to the society and it is affecting all

aspects of human life.
The effects of S & T to the Society
➢DOST got the highest budget on R & D in 2011-2015
➢Because of the significant role of R & d in the industrialization and
commercialization that can help improve the economy.

➢S & T has improved man’s way of life but it has also caused
harm to both the environment and people.

➢Men have become more fearless in the pursuit for riches

and power because of the creation of destructive devices
like guns, explosives, and nuclear power.
Face to Face With Science
• Science according to Merriam Webster:
Knowledge involving general truths and
general laws that is taken from a systematic
study which is concerned with evidences and
theories.
Four common characteristics of Science

I. Focuses on the Natural World

II. Goes through experiments
III.Relies on Evidence
IV.Passes through the Scientific
Community
Technology defined:
• Relate with
machines and tools
and therefore,
defined as a means
to an end and
human activity
Technology defined:
• Relate with machines and tools and therefore
defined as a means to an end and human activity
• W. Brian Arthur (2009) defines technology in 3
ways:
• A means to fulfill a human purpose
• Assemblage of practices and components
• Collection of devices and engineering
practices available to a culture
 S & T Fused together:

•“ S & T is too connected that it is hard to

distinguish where one ends and the other
begins” (Rhodes 1999)
•Science aims to explain the natural physical
world and as it does, it gives way for
technology to address whatever science has
discovered.
 S & T Fused together:
• Machines, tools, and computers are
technologies that are brought about
by science.
• Smaller and simpler things like
medicines, plastic bottles , or any
other everyday thing that we use
are also technologies that started
with science.
• Tools and techniques to cure
diseases.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-S
S & T Fused together:

•Technology is applied science.

•S & T works hand and hand.
•The technologies that started off with
science and are now available to man
also lead to new understanding of the
natural world and that would then lead
to further innovations.
WHERE S & T IS TAKING THE SOCIETY…

• S & T has marked a great progress in the society

• Machines and tools have made life easier.
• Communication and transportation, infrastructure, and
agriculture have become more convenient.
• National progress now relies so much on science and
technology in the area of industry, health care, national
security, and environmental protection.
• But…
•S & T would not exist without society
 Society may seem to be
dependent on science and
technology but it is the
society that decides what
happens to science and
technology

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY