Introduction to

Science,
Technology and
Society

GE 6
 Objectives:

1 2 3
Discuss the general Explain the Identify how STS has
concepts related to relationship of contributed to
science and science, technology national
technology; and society; and development.
Science

Technology

Society
 • Science comes from the Latin
word Scientia meaning
‘knowledge’.

• It refers to a systematic and

“Scientia” methodical activity of building
and organizing “knowledge
about how the universe
behaves through observation,
experimentation or both.
 • For its part, it is the
application of scientific
knowledge, laws and
principles to produce services,
materials, tools and machines
Technology aimed at solving real-world
problems.
• It comes from the Greek root
word techne, meaning ‘art,
skill or cunning of hand’.
American scientist, Carl Sagan, said:

“ We live in a society absolutely

dependent on science and technology
and yet have cleverly arranged things
so that almost no one understands
science and technology. That’s a clear
prescription for disaster.”
Science, Technology and Society
(STS) is a relatively young field that
combines previously independent
and older disciplines such as the
history of science, philosophy of
science and sociology of science.
 Progress
Progress is a series of improvements in human life marked by inventions
and discoveries.

• Positive attributes of technology

must be greater than negative
attributes
• Negative consequences:
destruction of environment and
loss of what it means to be human
Science, Technology
and National
Development
 Explain how • Community life
S & T contribute • Work
to the
development of • Health
the following: • Communication