MODULE 1

General Concepts and Historical Developments

This module will introduce students to the study of Science, Technology, and Society
(STS). This module will start with the general concepts and historical development of
science and technology and its role in shaping the society, and how it played a role
in the Philippine nation building.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, the students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate proficient and effective communication on the history and

evolution of technology and intellectual revolutions that defined society.

2. Articulate major development programs and agenda of Science and

Technology in the Philippines

Section 1

Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society

- This section introduces Science, Technology, and Society (STS) as a field of

study. After defining science and technology, the section will trace the
historical roots of STS as an academic field. It will also enumerate emerging
ethical dilemmas that reinforce the importance of the study in an age of
scientific progress and technological development.

Diagnostics. Write TRUE if you think that the statement is true and FALSE, if otherwise.
(Note: for those with the STS textbooks, please see pp. 2-3)

1. Science is a methodical way of acquiring knowledge.

2. Technology is the use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.
3. Science and Technology can be dangerous.
4. STS is the study of how science and technology shape and are shaped by
social instances.
5. STS deals with the historical development of science and technology but
does not cover their philosophical underpinnings.
6. The study of STS primarily concerns students of science and technology
programs, and not non-science students as much.
7. STS is an important area of study because science and technology permeate
every aspect of everyday life
8. Science and technology are not crucial factors in nation building .
9. History cannot teach people about evaluating present-day science and
technology.
 10. STS draws from other disciplined, such as history, sociology, philosophy,
economics, political science, international relations, and science policy.

Science and Technology: An Overview

Science

- Comes from the Latin word scientia, meaning “knowledge.”

- Refers to a systematic and methodical activity of building and organizing
knowledge about how the universe behaves through observation,
experimentation, or both.
- Involves solving problems through the scientific method.

What are the steps involved in the

SCIENTIFIC METHOD?

“Modern science is a discovery as well as an

invention”

- John Heilbron

John Heilbron

- Famous American science historian

- Considered science as a discovery of regularity in nature, enough for
phenomena to be described by principles and laws.
- Also explained that science required invention to devise techniques,
abstractions, apparatuses, and organizations to describe these natural
regularities and their law-like descriptions.

Technology

- Application of scientific knowledge, laws, and principles to produce

services, materials, tools, and machines aimed at solving real-world
problems.
- Comes from the Greek word techne, meaning “art, skill, or cunning of
hand.”
- Things that fulfil our needs and desires, or perform certain functions
- Involves creating and inventing things
 “What defines a technological tool – one historical definition – is
something that takes a human’s sense or ability and augments it and
makes it more powerful. So, for example, I wear contact lenses or
glasses; that is a technology that enhances my human ability of vision
and makes it better .”

- Mark Zuckerberg

Further Reading

The Medawar Lecture 1998: Is Science Dangerous? (Lewis Wolpert)

- Reliable scientific knowledge has no moral or ethical value

- It is meant simply to explain how nature and the universe work and that the
obligations of scientists, besides studying the nature of the universe, is to
explain the possible uses and applications of such scientific knowledge.
- Science is not the same as technology.
- The very nature of science is that it is not possible to predict scientific
discoveries and how these discoveries may be applied.

Click the download link to access the publication:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7613545_The_Medawar_Lecture_1998_-
_Is_science_dangerous

The roles of Science and Technology

So how are science and technology related?

- Provides fertile source of novel scientific question  justifies the allocation

of resources needed to address these questions in an efficient and timely
manner, extending the agenda of science

- Source of otherwise unavailable instrumentation and techniques needed

to address novel and more difficult scientific questions more efficiently

Science, Technology, and Society

- A relatively young field that combines previously independent and older

disciplines, such as the history of science, philosophy of science, and
sociology of science.
- Generally, applies methods drawn from history, philosophy, and sociology
to study the nature of science and technology and ultimately judge their
value and place in the society.

Quick Question:
What is the role of Science and Technology in your life?

- As an interdisciplinary field, the emergence of STS was a result of questions

about science and technology’s dynamic interaction with various aspects
of society and was thus viewed as a socially embedded enterprise.

- STS seeks to bridge the gap between two traditionally exclusive cultures –
humanities (interpretative) and natural sciences (rational) – so that
humans will be able to confront the moral, ethical, and existential
dilemmas brought about by continued developments in science and
technology.

Even if science and technology has brought about many useful and exciting things,
there are still drawbacks to these.

Antibiotics were Overuse/ misuse Antibiotic

invented of antibiotics resistance
TOP 10 Ethical Dilemmas (2020)

- The pseudoscience of - Grinch Bots

skincare. - Project Nightingale
- AI and Gamification in Hiring - Student Tracking Software
- Predatory Journals - The Corruption of Tech Ethics
- The HARPA SAFEHOME - Deep Fakes
Proposal
- Class Dojo and Classroom
Source:
Surveillance

For further reading, visit: https://www.laboratoryequipment.com/558920-Top-10-

Ethical-Dilemmas-in-Science-for-2020/

Quick Question:
What moral, ethical, and existential dilemmas brought about by S&T do you
know?
Exercise 1. Reflection (Individual Activity)

Instructions. Find an image that depicts an issue or problem in science and

technology. Then, answer the following questions.

1. What is the issue or problem depicted in the image?

2. How does this particular issue or problem impact the well-being of humans
today?
3. Why is it important for people to study and learn about STS as an
academic field, especially in addressing the issue or problem depicted in
the image

Exercise 2. Issues in Science and Technology

Instructions: Form groups with 3-4 members. From the list presented previously in the
module, choose one emerging ethical dilemma in science and technology.
Research about the nature of the dilemma assigned to your group and be prepared
to report the highlights of your research in class. Create a PowerPoint presentation
(no more than 5 slides) to highlight of the summary (if you have the textbook, go to
p. 11). Use the guide questions below:

1. What is the emerging ethical dilemma about?

2. What factors or events led to this dilemma?
3. What are the societal implications of this dilemma?
4. Why is it important to question the moral and ethical issues surrounding
innovations in science and technology?
5. In the face of this dilemma, why is it important to study STS?

Reading Assignment
Read Lewis Wolpert’s The Medawar Lecture 1998 Is Science Dangerous? Take
note of the key points in the article and prepare for class discussion
Section 2

Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology

- This section tackles how social contexts shaped and were shaped by S&T
across three historical periods – ancient period, middle ages, and modern
ages. It provides a historical context on the beginnings of S&T through the
ages. Furthermore, this section also includes a brief history of S&T in the
Philippines, as well as important inventions and innovations done by
Filipino scientists.

Diagnostics. Watch an 18-minute TEDx talk by Hannu Rajaniemi, The Big History of
Modern Science (link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcWsjlGPPFQ&t=104s).
Write a short essay on the topic, “Why is it important to study the history of Science
and Technology?” based on what you have learned from the video.

One of the key interests of STS as an academic field is the history of science and
Technology. As a strand of STS, the history of S&T focuses on how it changed across
time. It also explores the impacts of scientific and technological innovations on the
prevailing social, cultural, political, and economic contexts throughout history.

Ancient Period

The rise of ancient civilization paved the way for advances in science and
technology. These advances during the ancient period allowed civilizations to
flourish by looking for better ways to communicate, transport, self-organize, and
enhance their way of life, in general.

The Ancient Times were divided into three periods:

1. Stone Age (Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic)

2. Bronze Age
3. Iron Age

Some Technologies or Inventions from the Ancient Period include:

1. Ancient Wheel
2. Paper
3. Shadoof
4. Antikythera Mechanism
5. Aeolipile
Middle Ages

Between the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD and the colonial
expansion of Western Europe in the late 15th century AD, major advances in scientific
and technological development took place.

These include the steady increase of new inventions, introduction of innovations in

traditional production, and the emergence scientific thinking and the scientific
method.

Some Technologies or Inventions from the Middle Ages include:

1. Heavy Plough
2. Gunpowder
3. Paper Money
4. Mechanical Clock
5. Spinning Wheel

Modern Ages

As the world population steadily increased, people of the Modern Ages realized the
utmost importance of increasing the efficiency of transportation, communication
and production. Industrialization took place with greater risks in human health, food
safety and environment which had to be addressed as scientific and technological
progress unfolded at an unimaginable speed.

Some Technologies or Inventions from the Modern Ages include:

1. Compound Microscope
2. Telescope
3. Jacquard Loom
4. Engine-Powered Airplane
5. Televisions

Inventions of Filipino Scientists

Our country also has its own history and tradition of scientific and technological
innovations. It is very known that Filipinos are innovative and ingenuous – making
something out of simple things that are available around them. As with other
inventions, for Filipinos, necessity is also the mother of Philippine inventions.
Throughout the Philippine history, Filipinos are responsible for developing many
scientific and technological innovations focused on navigation, traditional ship
building, textiles, food processing, indigenous arts and techniques, and even cultural
inventions. The following are some of inventions of Filipino scientists and inventors:

1. E- Jeepney
- Jeepneys are one of the most recognized national symbols of the
Philippines. It is also one of the most common mode of transportation for
Filipinos.
- The assembly and conversion of “jeepneys” for transport and utility from
scraps of American military jeeps left from World War 2 showed the
ingenuity and innovativeness of Filipinos.
- However, as the demand for more environmentally friendly transportation
arose, e-jeepneys were introduced as an alternative to the traditional
jeepney This is because jeepneys were reported to be one of the root
causes of air pollution especially in urban areas. Their safety was held in
question, as well.
- E-jeepneys are designed to be environment-friendly, eliminating noise and
air pollution because they run on electricity.
2. Erythromycin
- One of the most well- known antibiotics in the market.
- Invented by an Ilonggo scientist, Abelardo Aguilar, from a strain of
Streptomyces erythraeus.
- However, Aguilar was not credited for this discovery because he was
under the employment of an American company, Eli Lilli Co. The
company eventually owned the merits for this discovery.
3. Bamboo Incubator
- World renowned Filipino paediatrician, Dr. Fe Del Mundo, was credited for
the invention of the incubator and jaundice removing device.
- Her original design consisted of two native laundry baskets of different
sizes that are placed one inside the other. Warmth was generated by
bottles with hot water placed around the baskets. A makeshift hood over
the baskets allows oxygen to circulate inside the incubator.
- Was used to aid the regulation of body temperatures of newborn babies,
especially in areas with no electricity.
4. Mole Remover
- Invented by Rolando dela Cruz in 2000.
- Used for removal of moles and warts, the invention was made from
cashew (Annacardium occidentale) nut extracts which are very common
in the Philippines.
- Dela Cruz won a gold medal for this invention in the International
Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design, and Technology Exhibition in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia in 2000.
5. Banana Ketchup
- Invented by the Filipino food technologist, Maria Orosa.
- Was invented to be used as an alternative to tomato ketchup during the
backdrop of the World War 2 when there was a shortage of tomatoes.
 - Orosa developed banana ketchup made from mashed banana, sugar,
vinegar and spices. Red food coloring was added so that it would
resemble tomato ketchup.

Assignment. If I were an inventor…

For this assignment, address the question: “If you were an inventor, what would you
invent?” In thinking about an invention, make sure that you come up with one that
has not been invented yet but is possible to be invented in the near future.

Sketch a draft of the invention and then answer the following questions:

1. What is your invention? What does it do?

2. How is your invention similar to or different from existing tools or technologies

in terms of function?

3. Why is there a need for this invention? How will this invention make the world
a better place to live in?
Section 3

Intellectual Revolutions and Society

- This section reviews the intellectual revolutions that shaped the society by
means of science and technology. It focuses on three of the most
important intellectual revolutions: Copernican, Darwinian, and Freudian.
- The section also engages students in a critical analysis of ongoing
intellectual and scientific revolutions, which they may find themselves a
part of.

In S&T, intellectual refer to the series of events that led to the emergence of modern
science and the progress of scientific thinking across critical periods in history.
Although there are many intellectual revolutions, this section only gives focus on the
three most important intellectual revolutions that altered the way humans view
science and its impacts on the society. These are: Copernican, Darwinian, and
Freudian revolutions. According to the French astronomer, mathematician, and
freemason, Jean Sylvain Bailley, these scientific revolutions involved a two-stage
process of sweeping away the old and establishing the new.

It is also worth noting that, by themselves, these intellectual revolutions are also
paradigm shifts. These paradigm shifts resulted from a renewed and enlightened
understanding of how the universe behaves and functions. Furthermore, they also
challenged the long-held views about the nature of the universe, thus, garnering
huge resistance and controversy.

1. Copernican Revolution

- The Copernican Revolution refers to the 16th-century paradigm shift

named after the Polish mathematician and astronomer, Nicolaus
Copernicus.
- Copernicus formulated the heliocentric model in the publication of his
paper, De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium (The Revolution of the
Celestial Spheres ), in 1543.
- Challenged the previous belief that the Earth was the center of the
universe (geocentrism) proposed by Claudius Ptolemy (Ptolemaic Model).
 Heliocentric Model the Sun is at the center of the universe

Geocentric model vs. Heliocentric model of the solar system.

2. Darwinian Revolution

- The publication of Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species ushered a new

era in the intellectual history of humanity.
- Considered to be one of the most controversial intellectual revolutions of
its time.
- Completed the Copernican revolution initiated three centuries earlier,
and thereby radically changed our conception of the universe and the
place of humanity in it.
- Charles Darwin is an English naturalist, biologist and geologist; he
introduced the theory of evolution where population pass through a
process of natural selection in which only the fittest would survive (natural
selection).
- The organisms have the ability to adapt to their environment and would
gradually change into something that would be more competitive to
survive
-

“One general law, leading to the advancement of

all organic beings, namely, multiply, vary, let the
strongest live and the weakest die.”
― Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species
 3. Freudian Revolution

- Austrian neurologist, Sigmund Freud is credited for stirring a 20 th century

intellectual revolution named after him – the Freudian Revolution.
- Psychoanalysis as a school of thought in psychology is at the center of this
revolution.
- Psychoanalysis  a scientific method of understanding inner and
unconscious conflicts embedded within one’s personality, springing from
free associations, dreams, and fantasies of the individual. It immediately
shot into controversy because it emphasized the existence of the
unconscious where feelings, thoughts, urges, emotions and memories are
contained outside of one’s conscious mind.
Amidst controversy, Freud’s psychoanalysis is widely credited for
dominating psychotherapeutic practice in the early 20th century.

Exercise. Aside from the three intellectual revolutions discussed in this section, other
intellectual revolutions also took place across history in many parts of the world (
North America, Asia, Middle East, Africa). Find a partner among your classmates and
research on a particular intellectual revolution that took place in any of the four
geographical locations mentioned. Prepare a five-slide PowerPoint presentation
and report the highlights of your chosen intellectual revolution. Use the following
questions to guide you:

1. What is the intellectual revolution about?

2. Who are the key figures in the revolution?
3. How did the revolution advance modern science and scientific thinking at
the time?
4. What controversies did the revolution meet?
Section 4

Science and Technology and Nation Building

- This section situates STS in the context of the Philippine nation building. It
initially surveys contributions of Filipino scientists to science and
technology. It then traces the historical development and impact of
science and technology on the various segments of Philippine society.
These discussions are geared toward engaging students in a critical
analysis of science and technology as a tool for nation building.

Pre-colonial Times

- Science and technology in the Philippines had its beginnings during the
pre-colonial times.
- People used herbal medicine to treat illnesses.
- Filipinos used writing, numerical treatment, measurement, and calendar
systems to facilitate trading.
- Farming, fishing, mining, and weaving was developed by Filipinos during
this period ( the Banaue Rice Terraces was built during this period)

Spanish Colonial Period

- Science and technology was developed through the establishment of

formal education institutions and the launching of scientific organizations.
- Schools were mandated to teach religion, reading and writing, music and
arts, and health and sanitation.
- Medicine and biology were taught in different educational and training
institutions.
- The natives were trained to use innovative approach in farming;
engineering was also introduced for constructing buildings, churches,
bridges, roads, and forts.
- Rapid development of scientific principles influenced by Western culture
during the Spanish colonial period was short-changed.
- Trade was more prioritized compared to agriculture and industrial
development because its potential to gain large profits.

American Period

- Reorganized institutions for science and technology were reorganized.

o Laboratorio Municipal  Bureau of Government Laboratories (under
US Department of Interior).
o The Bureau of Government laboratories was established for the
purpose of studying tropical diseases and pursuing other related
research projects; eventually became Bureau of Science which
became the main research center of the Philippines.

1933

- The National Research Council of the Philippines was established.

 - Development during the American regime was focused on agriculture,
medicine and pharmacy, food processing, and forestry.

1946

- The Bureau of Science was replaced by Institute of Science.

Ferdinand E. Marcos

- During the time of the former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, the role of
science and technology in national development was emphasized.
- Mandated the Department of Education and Culture, now known as the
Department of Education (DepeD), to promote science courses in public
high schools.
- Additional budget for research projects in applied sciences and science
was granted.
- In 1968, Taguig was proclaimed as the Philippine Science Community,
now the site of Department of Science and Technology.
- The Philippine Coconut Institute (PHILCORIN) was tasked to promote
modernization of the coconut industry.
- Several institutions were also established. The following were:

1. Philippine Textile Research Center

2. Philippine Atomic Energy Commission  Philippine Nuclear Institute
3. National Grains Authority  National Food Authority
4. Philippine Council for Agricultural Research  Philippine Council for
Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and
Development (PCAARRD)
5. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA)
6. Philippine National Oil Company
7. Plant Breeding Institute
8. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
9. Bureau of Plant Industry
10. Bureau of Forest Products
11. National Committee on Geological Sciences

- The National Science Development Board was reorganized as the

National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA)
- In 1976, the National Academy of Science (NAST) was established to be
the reservoir of scientific and technological expertise in the country.
Corazon Aquino

- NSTA was renamed as DOST in 1986 under President Corazon Aquino.

- This was done in order for the S&T sector to be represented in the cabinet.
- The Science and Technology Master Plan by the DOST aimed to update
the production sector, improve research activities, and develop
infrastructures for the science and technology sector.

Fidel V. Ramos

- During the time of President Fidel V. Ramos, the Philippines had

approximately 3000 competent scientists and engineers.
- The Doctors to the Barrio program made health care accessible even in
far-flung areas.
- The National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in Science and
Technology was created for high school students who wanted to major in
science and engineering in college.
- Several laws and statutes related to the science and technology sector
were mandated:

1. R.A. 8439 ( Magna Carta for Scientist, Engineers, Researchers and other
Science and Technology Personnel in Government)
2. R.A. 7687 (Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994)
3. R.A. 7559 (Inventors and Inventions Incentive Act)
4. R.A. 8293 (The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines)

Joseph Ejercito Estrada

- R.A. 8749 (Clean Air Act of 1999) and R.A. 8792 (Electronic Commerce Act
of 2000) were both signed and mandated during the term of President
Joseph Estrada.
- Responsible for implementing cost-effective irrigation technologies and
providing health care services for those who could not afford them.

Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo

- Filipinnovation was coined to refer to the Philippines as an innovation hub

in Asia.
- Promulgation of R.A. 9367 (Biofuels Act) to utilize indigenous materials as
sources of energy; was not successful due to the lack of technology to
source raw materials.
- R.A. 10601 (Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization Law) was passed to
modernize agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment.
Benigno Aquino III

- New National Scientists were named in 2014. The following were:

1. Gavino C. Trono (Marine Biology)

2. Angel C. Alcala (Biological Science)
3. Ramon C. Barba (Horticulture)
4. Edgardo D. Gomez (Marine Biology)

Rodrigo Duterte

- Science and Technology sector is seen to be a priority based on the

budget for research and Development (R&D) that grew by nearly six times
over the same period.
- DOST focus was set to put results of R&D into commercialization in order to
gain new intellectual properties.
- Philippine Space Technology Program  launched Diwata- 2 in 2018 after
the launch of Diwata-1 in 2016 that displayed the Philippine flag in space.

Science and Technology in the Philippines and the Environment

S&T has brought about numerous contributions the society. This is especially true in
the agricultural sector and food production. These include:

1. Mechanization of Farming
- Tools such as pumps and sprinklers help in managing the damaging
effects of heat brought about by the changing climate patterns
2. Genetically Modified Crops
- Grow faster and are resistant to pests
3. Fertilizers
- Increase nutrients in the soil; enhances growth and yield of crops

However, these technologies may also affect the environment negatively. For
example, research has shown that pesticides contain chemicals that are not
environment-friendly. In case of GM crops, only a few studies have been published
in terms of their long-term effects on the environment partly because it is still a
relatively new technology.

Science and technology has improved transportation by land, air, and sea.
Communication has also improved through technological advancements. These
contributions of S&T always come with adverse impacts including resource
depletion.

The increasing number of new and advanced technologies in the production and
manufacture of different goods and services result in the depletion of the planet’s
natural resources. Furthermore, wastes are also generated as these technologies are
developed, eventually contributing to increased air, land, and water pollution.
 Ponder:
Think about a situation where S&T has caused negative impacts to the
environment. Present key points and discuss different these situations with
one another

Related Readings and Videos

1. The shrinking of the Aral Sea - "One of the planet's worst

environmental disasters"
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp_mlKJiwxg

2. Flint Water Crisis: Everything You Need to Know

Link: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/flint-water-crisis-everything-you-need-know

3. The Impact of Technology on the Environment and How

Environmental Technology Could Save Our Planet
Link: https://bit.ly/2E3eT2s

Module 1 References:

Quinto, EJM & Nieva, AD. 2019. Science, Technology and Society –Outcome-Based
Module. C & E Publishing , Inc. pp 1-pp217.