UNIVERSITY OF
PERPETUAL HELP
SYSTEM DALTA
STS REVIEWER
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and
SOCIETY (STS)
The intellectual roots of STS lie in
the history, philosophy and social
study of science and technology.
An arena where often-
controversial issues and choices
interface with values and
influence public policy.
Prepares students to understand
both the technical and social
dimensions of science and
technology.
helps them become more
thoughtful and better-informed
citizens of our high-tech society.
and develops their critical
interdisciplinary thinking,
research and communication
skills.
Students flourish intellectually in
an environment where critical
questioning is encourage and
opportunities for research are
abundant.
ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, STS IS…
Interdisciplinary education for life.
Relevant to every field of study.
A great major or double major or
“the minor for all majors”.
A way to improve your writing
and communications skills,
problem-solving abilities and
ability to adapt to changes in
science and technology.
Attractive to potential employers.
Needed at all levels, in education,
government, the private sector
and internationally.
Interdisciplinary study of the
interaction of science and
technology with society and
culture.
Alabang-Zapote Road, Pamplona 3, Las Piñas City, 1740 Philippines • Tel. No.: (02) 871-0639
www.perpetualdalta.edu.ph
Las Piñas Campus
The realization that discoveries
and inventions are shaped by
historical forces and in turn
influence values, aspirations,
events and institutions, thus
shaping the course of history.
S and T in social and cultural
context.
Both academic and activist.
ACADEMIC STS
Scholarly Study of Science and
Technology.
History, Philosophy, Sociology of
S&T.
Interdisciplinary and
multidisciplinary.
Perennial and structural problems
of history, philosophy and human
nature.
Science dynamics
Technological dynamics
Informs activist STS issues
ACTIVIST STS
Gets involved in current issues.
Covers a broad social spectrum (not just
academic).
Builds coalitions:
1. Awareness of a problem
2. Need to take responsibility
3. Draw on external expertise
4. Make decisions and take actions
(demonstrate, litigate, educate, legislate,
etc.,)
Strengths – relevance, empowerment,
democratic
Weakness – emotional, NIMBY (not in
my backyard)
Example: nuclear power, toxic wastes,
health care, climate change action.
 UNIVERSITY OF
PERPETUAL HELP
SYSTEM DALTA
What does it mean to be a human? COMMUNITY – discipline, education,
credentials, careers, patrons and
TWO POSSIBILITIES
societies.
HOMO SAPIENS SAPIENS – primates
PROCESS – organized, but very
who think (a lot), contemplative.
diverse activity shaped by social forces
HOMO FARBER – primates who make and historical change.
things, manipulative.
IN GENERAL:
SCIENCE IS….
Science is an organized,
Natural knowledge hierarchical activity that
Natural philosophy investigates nature and human
Natural history nature by experiment and
Systematic inquiry into nature observation.
A human cultural activity Its goals are explanation,
A total societal enterprise understanding, prediction and
With vast social consequences control.
Organized, well-founded It tests its theories by logical,
knowledge of nature and human mathematical and technological
nature means.
“A sophisticated intellectual Science is shaped by social
version of Esperanto or the forces and historical change.
universal language that the While seeking objectivity, science
heroes of the scientific revolution also shapes culture.
imagined as an instrument of
TECHNOLOGY
global communication”.
“The cutting edge of ignorance”. a. ARTIFACTS OR HARDWARE.
Product fabricated by humans to meet
HOW DO WE DEFINE SCIENCE? specific needs. Tools, machines and
CONTENT – body of organized implements.
knowledge about nature b. KNOWLEDGE AND METHODS.
- From Latin scientia – knowledge A system of tacit and explicit knowledge,
techniques and materials utilized in
METHOD – of obtaining that knowledge, using, making or repairing a certain kind
experiment, observation, hypothesis, of artifact.
theory, law.
c. A HUMAN CULTURAL ACTIVITY
ATTITUDE – organized and systematic OR PROFESSION.
skepticism. E.g military or civil engineers, crafters
and machinists.
GOALS – explanation, understanding,
prediction and control. d. A TOTAL SOCIETAL
ENTERPRISES. E.g.
LANGUAGE – mathematics and
“American technological know-how”.
technical vocabulary.
R&D, invention, patronage, mass
TOOLS – uses instruments and production and mass consumption.
technologies.

Alabang-Zapote Road, Pamplona 3, Las Piñas City, 1740 Philippines • Tel. No.: (02) 871-0639
www.perpetualdalta.edu.ph
Las Piñas Campus
 UNIVERSITY OF
PERPETUAL HELP
SYSTEM DALTA
WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY?
A discourse or treatise on an art
or arts.
The scientific study of the
practical or industrial arts.
Techne (art, craft, skill). Logos
(word).

Some other attempts at definitions:

A system based on the
application of knowledge,
manifested in physical objects
and organizational forms, for the
attainment of specific goals -
volti.
Cumulative sum of means used
to satisfy human needs and
desires and to solve specific
problems – market
The sum total of systems of
machines and techniques that
underlie a civilization – nye
Not merely a system of machines
with certain functions, but an
expression of a social world –
nye
The production of superfluities –
today as in the Paleolithic age –
Ortega y Gasset
“The seeping false-hearted
death” - DeLillo

Alabang-Zapote Road, Pamplona 3, Las Piñas City, 1740 Philippines • Tel. No.: (02) 871-0639
www.perpetualdalta.edu.ph
Las Piñas Campus