SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

INSTRUCTOR: ADAPTAR, CHARY MAE V.

MODULE 1- LESSON1

Overview and History of Philosophy of Science, Technology, and Society

INTRODUCTION

Module 1 introduces concepts and definitions of science, technology, and

society. The focus is on their interrelationships and interconnectedness, its natures
and significance in modern society, and its capacity in transforming lives. It also
surveys the history, development, and the impact of science and technology to
human societies. This module also discusses how humans acquire, produce, and
develop knowledge to understand the unknown. The faculty-in-charge will facilitate
both synchronous and asynchronous learning activities in this module.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you should be able to

: ● Define Science, Technology and Society through a particular tradition of thinking

● Discuss the interrelationship of Science, Technology, and Society within the

context of social concerns and issues.

● Explain how knowledge develops; and

● Apply epistemological perspectives in understanding a particular social concern or

issue.

Module Output:

In this module, you are required to read the required readings and encouraged
to read the supplemental readings. You will also provide the following outputs:

A. Topic 1
1. Pre-activity table that defines science, technology and society

2. Concept map that summarizes what is STS based on the readings

B. Topic 2

1. Self-survey

2. Journal reflection

I. What is the meaning of Science, Technology, and Society?

LAUNCH REMEMBER AND UNDERSTAND

In preparation for the discussion, read the following key texts that will help you
revisit and re-examine the idea or meaning of “Science” and “Technology”. 1.
McGinn, R. 2002. Science Technology and Society. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Chapter 2 (“Science and Technology: Their natures and relationship”, pp 13-29) 2.
How science and technology are
forsocietyhttps://www.mext.go.jp/component/english/__icsFiles/afieldfile/
2011/03/03/1302821_ 002.pdf 3. Hatton, J. and P. Plouffe (eds.). 1997. Science and
Its Ways of Knowing. Prentice Hall, New Jersey. a. Chapter 1 (Carl Sagan. “Can we
know the Universe”; http://www.inf.fuberlin.de/lehre/pmo/eng/Sagan-
KnowTheUniverse.pdf ) b. Chapter 2 (Robert Pirsig. “On scientific method”
http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/kkh/natsgc/PDFs-2013/Robert-Pirsig-OnScientific-
Method.pdf)

While reading these key texts take note of the following questions:

 What is Science? Technology? Society? What are the roles that S&T play in
society?
 What is the nature and relationship of S & T in each time period?
 How does Science and Technology influence the economic, military,
medicine, political, religious or ethical, or philosophical currents in a given
time?
 How did STS develop as a field of study? Why was there a need for STS as a
field of study?
BUILD AND EXPLAIN

“Science” and “Technology” have been defined for us in our formative years
through different learning media. Both are pervasive in society, and thus are usually
taken for granted. We often compartmentalize them, and rarely critically examine
their relationship to and in society. Generally, we take “Science” to mean “an
organized body of knowledge”, and “Technology” as the “application of this
organized body of knowledge for the benefit of humankind”. However, and as you
hopefully realize, they mean a whole lot more, and that how they are understood
plays a crucial role in social processes, societal histories and current and future
societal undertakings.

The reading materials assigned for this lesson give you different views and
perspectives in defining science and technology. Perhaps you have noted some.
Write the meanings of Science, Technology, and Society to the table below. You
may include your prior knowledge that pertains to each.

SCIENCE

ANSWER:

TECHNOLOGY

ANSWER:

SOCIETY

ANSWER:

Using the definitions you have provided above, can you discuss the
relationship of Science and Technology? You may also use the concepts discussed
in the learning materials provided.

ANSWER:

We all know that science and technology contribute to society. The

interrelationship of the two create knowledge for the progress and success of human
lives. Science can be considered as the foundation strength of societies that is
continuously building upon. But what really is the importance of science and
technology in contemporary society?

Can you give an example?

ANSWER:

ELABORATE

The word scientist today has many meanings. The most common meaning is
that of the detached, impersonal, and objective person wearing glasses and socially
awkward most of the time. This is partly a caricature of the research scientist,
popular in mass media from the twentieth century onwards. The scientist is also
seen as the gatekeeper of often mysterious and arcane knowledge, a knowledge
that could be either helpful or harmful. In this respect, the scientist is often equated
with the priest or priestess, the holder of seemingly supernatural wisdom. In the
“normal” view, scientists and therefore science was about the pure seeking of
knowledge for its own sake, in the hope that one day it would be put to use.
However, a “post-normal” view has scientists (and therefore the sciences) providing
immediate solutions to problems faced by society. To contextualize this, read
Saloma’s “My Expectation of a Filipino Scientist” to know more about the importance
of science as a way of knowing and scientists in the Philippines.

The article can be found here: https://ovpaa.up.edu.ph/my-expectations-ofthe-

filipino-scientist-by-caesarsaloma/?
fbclid=IwAR2sGdj6AMiMHK332Bv39KYZtjDtmljkaBNFtDQTSTlpt5IePqYez901JM

Use the following questions as you go through the reading material:

1. What is the status of producing knowledge or science in the Philippines?

ANSWER:

2. Why Saloma expects from Filipino scientists?

ANSWER:

3. Why is there a need for a culture of science in the Philippines?

ANSWER:

ANALYZE: With all the materials, can you create a definition of STS? You may use a
diagram and write an explanation below.

ANSWER:

APPLY :

Can you personally relate with any of these definitions? Has your personal
experiences/relations with “Science” and/or “Technology” been good or bad, and
what are these? Please prepare your answers for the lecture-discussion on Week 2.

ADVANCE CREATE

To wrap up this lesson, according to what you have learned, create a visual
concept map from the assigned readings that encapsulates the idea and definition of
STS. After creating your concept map, please prepare a short description and submit
through Google Classroom in A4 size paper. You may use the following as a guide in
creating your concept map : A concept map is a visual representation of the
significant or key information or concepts in the form of graphic organizers,
flowcharts, or Venn diagrams usually in hierarchical structures connected with lines
to show their relationships. Draw a concept map of what is STS.

ANSWER:

Please submit your output through Google Classroom on ________________.