Chapter 1: Historical Antecedents in

the Course of Science and Technology

What will you learn from this module? Have you ever wondered about the petty things from
the past civilization? like how they build a solid and stable infrastructure, how they come up
with some of the most ground-breaking inventions like clock, battery, system of writing, even
the cosmetics? If yes, this module is for you.

In this module, you will learn the about the ancient history and the early civilization. You will
study the different technological advancements during the ancient times, which include some
of the achievements of the early civilizations such as Sumerians, Babylonians, and Egyptians.

This module is composed of four lessons.

 Lesson 1: Ancient Times

 Lesson 2: Medieval/Middle Ages

 Lesson 3: Modern Times

 Lesson 4: Philippine Inventions

After studying this module, you should be able to;

1. Explain how science and technology affected the society and environment and vice versa;

2. Identify inventions and discoveries that changed the world over the course of history and;

3. Discuss the scientific and technological developments in the Philippines.

INTRODUCTION

Science comes from the Latin word scientia, meaning ‘knowledge.’ It refers to a
systematic and methodical activity of building and organizing knowledge about how the
universe behaves through observation, experimentation or both. Technology, for its part, is the
application of scientific knowledge, laws, and principles to produce services, materials, tools,
and machines aimed at solving real-world problems. It comes from the Greek root word techne,
meaning ‘art, skill, or cunning of hand.’

According to Albert Einstein, “it is not knowledge if you only derived it from books but if
you can derive it on numbers, it is considered knowledge.” Because numbers are the
application of knowledge and technology is the application of numbers and science.

In the ancient times, people were concerned with transportation and navigation,
communication, and recordkeeping, mass production, security and protection, as well as
health, aesthetics, and architecture.

Transportation was significant during that time because people were trying to go places
and discover new horizons. They are travelling to search for food and find better locations for
their settlements. They also travelled to trade their surplus goods in exchange for things that
they lacked

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 Communication was also essential in their endeavors to discover and occupy new
places. They needed a way to communicate with the natives of the areas they visited so as to
facilitate trade and prevent possible conflicts.

The increase in size and number of nations connoted increased demand for food and
other basic necessities, this condition also implied that the people must be able to produce
food at a given time and space since resources were getting scarcer as more people struggled
to share the basic necessities. The people thus needed a form of technology that would enable
them to increase food supplies and other survival needs.

SUMERIAN CIVILAZATION

Sumeria is located on the southernmost tip of

ancient Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates
rivers in the area later became Babylonia, Sumerians, are
known for their high degree of cooperation with one
another and their desire for great things. They are not
contented with the basic things that life can offer. This
desire pushed them to develop many things connected
with science and technology

One of the major contributions of the Sumerians is

the development of the first writing system known
as cuneiform. It is a system that utilizes word
pictures and triangular symbols which are carved
on clay using wedge instruments and then left to
dry. Cuneiform allowed the Sumerians to keep
records of things with great historical value or
their everyday life. It is also one way of passing
their traditions, cultures, and their legacy.

Another important contribution of the Sumerians is

the City of Uruk. It is a great wonder not only
because it is considered to be the first true city in the
world but also for the way it was erected. There
were no building stones in the location of this city
and lumber was limited, making the construction a
big challenge. The Sumerians were able to build the
city using only mud or clay from the river, which they
mixed with reeds, producing sunbaked bricks-a true
engineering feat. They used the bricks to make
houses that protected them from the harsh weather
and to build a wall around the city that prevented wild animals and neighboring raiders from
entering.

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THE GREAT ZIGGURAT OF UR

Another engineering and architectural feat of the

Sumerians is the Great Ziggurat of Ur. The Ziggurat, also called
the mountain of God, was built in the same manner that they
constructed the City of Uruk. Without much building materials,
the structure was constructed using sunbaked bricks. The
Ziggurat served as the sacred place of their chief god, where
only priest was allowed to enter.

IRRIGATION AND DIKES

As population increase, so did the demand for food. The Sumerians were
challenged to mass produce items but the elements in the environment seemed uncooperative.
It was difficult to get water form the rivers, thus they could not maintain farmlands. Some
groups had scarce water supply, while others had problems with flooding caused by the river.
As a solution to this dilemma, the Sumerians created dikes and irrigation canals to bring water
to farmlands and at the same time control the flooding of the rivers. This method was
considered as one of the world’s most beneficial engineering works.

SAIL BOATS

Another challenge to the Sumerians was

transportation. At that time, the wheel was not yet
invented; the main mode of transportation was trough
waterways such as rivers and seas. Boats were used to
carry large quantities of products and were able to cover
large distances. However, they wanted to discover faraway
lands to settle since the population was getting larger, and
boats were not enough to accommodate more people and
products. They needed a mode of transportation that did
not require much human resource. Some resources
attribute to the Sumerians the invention of sailboats to
address their increasing demands. Sailboats were essential
in transportation and trading as well as in fostering culture,
information, and technology.

In the latter part of their history, the Sumerians were able to invent the wheel
since the specialized tools needed to create it were already available. The first wheels were not
made for transportation but for farm work and food process. With the use of the wheel and
axel, mass production was made easier. Farmers were able to mill grains with less effort in less
time.

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THE PLOW

Another farm technology invented by the

Mesopotamians is the plow. The plow was invented to dig the
earth in a faster pace. As the plow beaks the ground, the
farmer would just drop the seeds and farm work would
already be done.

ROADS

In order to facilitate faster and easier travel, the

Sumerians developed the first roads. With this work,
the flow of traffic became faster and more organized.
They made the roads with the same technology they
used in making sunbaked bricks that they laid down on
the ground. The Sumerians does not have any degree
in engineering or in architecture, but they were able to
build buildings, road, infrastructure and many more
that are still solid at stable until now.

Babylonian civilization

emerged near the Tigris and Euphrates river. The

Babylonians were great builders, engineers, and
architects. Babylonia as I have mentioned emerge near
the river because water is one of their basic
necessities. Water brings food for them, brings energy
and beauty, and it also enable them to travel from one
place to another. With the use of river, they are able
to exchange their goods to other places and they can
also use it to conquer and also to escape.

One of their major contributions is the hanging

garden of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the
ancient world. Today, people can only marvel at the
beauty of the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon
form the stories of historians and paintings that
portray the place. It was said to be a structure made
up of layers upon layers of gardens that contained
several species of plants, trees, and vines. However,
no physical evidence has been found to prove the
existence of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Its exact location is unknown.

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EGYPITAN CIVILIZATION

Another early civilization famous for it

legacy is the Egyptian civilization located in
North Africa. Many stories tell about the
engineering feats of the Egyptian especially
regarding infrastructures established by the
Pharaohs.

PAPER OR PAPYRUS

Aside from the Sumerians, Egyptians also developed a system of writing, they were able to make writing
easier for the world. Before, they are using tables made from clay tablets but they find it fragile, heavy,
and delicate to handle. Hence, the Egyptian invention of paper or papyrus was a welcome development.
They were able to process the plant in order to produce thin sheets on which one could write down
things.

INK

When Egyptians invented the papyrus or the paper, engraving ceased to be used in writing. As a result,
the Egyptians invented ink by combining soot with different chemicals to produce inks of different
colors.

HEIROGLYPHICS

Like Sumerians, the Egyptians also

developed a system of writing using
symbols, known as hieroglyphics.
Although some say that hieroglyphics
was adapted from the early writing
system established in Mesopotamia as
a result of trade between civilizations
the Egyptians believed that this writing
systems was provided to them by their
gods.

Their way of writing is also the root cause why many scientists are confused about their history.
Hieroglyphics is not just an ordinary writing of text, but it is also consisting of many different
symbols and illustrations that may lead the scientist to misinterpretation of data or meaning.
Hieroglyphics was the language that tells the modern world of the history and culture of the
ancient Egyptians. Their records were well-preserved since they were carved at the walls of
pyramids and other important Egyptian structures.

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COSMETICS AND WIG

Cosmetics nowadays are essentials in building your

self confidence but did you know that the cosmetics
that we are using right now is invented by the
Egyptians? Although cosmetics in the modern times
are used to improve and highlight the facial features of
a person, their function in ancient Egypt was for both
health and aesthetic.

For example, Egyptians wore kohl around the eyes to prevent and even cure
eye diseases. Kohl was created by mixing soon or malachite with mineral galena.

Another cosmetic invention of ancient Egyptian is the wig. Nowadays, wigs are used to enhance
the appearance of people who are balding or those who want to try new hair trends.
Meanwhile, during the ancient Egyptian times, they were used for health and wellness rather
than for aesthetic purposes. They used it to cover their head from the harmful rays of the sun.

GREEK CIVILIZATION

Many students are actually excited about the

Greek civilization because they think about the
Greek Gods and Goddesses but spoiler alert, they
are just myths. Greece is an archipelago in the
southeastern part of Europe. This makes their
country difficult to conquer since it is an
archipelago, they can hide or ambush the enemy
from various island. Europe is known as the birth
place of western philosophy, some of the major
achievements of the Greeks include in-depth works
on philosophy and mathematics. Greek civilization
has contributed much to the world especially in the
fields of science and technology.

The first proponents of an atomic theory were the Greek philosophers Leucippus and Democritus in the
field of science and on the field of math they have Pythagoras who was perhaps the first to realize that a
complete system of mathematics could be constructed and later called Pythagorean Theorem.

ALARM CLOCK

One of the most utilized gadgets today was invented by ancient Greeks is
the alarm clock. Although the alarm clock during that time does not
resembles the present-day clocks, the purpose was just the same- to tell an
individual when to stop or when to start.

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WATER MILL

Watermills were also considered as

one of the most important
contributions of the Greek civilization
to the world. They were commonly
used in agricultural processes like
milling of grains which is necessary
form of food processing during that
time. Mass production of rice,
cereals, flours and the like became
common with the help of watermills.
Modern-day watermills also help for
converting mechanical energy into
electricity which also leads to invention of windmill and turbine.

ROMAN CIVILIZATION

The Roman Empire was perceived to be the strongest political and social entity in the west.
Political because of its huge population and territory and social because of religion. It was
considered to be the cradle of politics and governance during the period. Because the Roman
Empire was so large, other civilizations looked up to it as their model in terms of legislation and
codified law. That is why many other civilizations were conquered by the Roman Empire
because of its existing laws which make it more complex and more stable compared to the
other civilizations or empire.

The following are the inventions and innovations of the Roman Empire.

 Newspaper
 Bound Books or Codex
 Roman Architecture
 Roman numerals
All of the above-mentioned inventions are still existing in this present-day civilization and are used in the
entire world. The most famous is the newspaper which is globally used by different races.

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CHINESE CIVILIZATION

The Chinese civilization is considered the

oldest civilization in Asia, if not the world.
Also known as the middle kingdom, China
is located on the far east of Asia. It was
very famous among the other ancient
civilization because of its silk trade.

The following are contributions of Chinese civilization to the world

 Silk industry
 Tea production
 Worlds Famous Great wall of China
 Gun powder
China even until know controls the production of almost everything. Most of
the things like gadget, furniture, weapon, medicine, basic necessities, any many other are made
in China. That is why Chinese economy is getting bigger and its control over the international
politics is indeed very impressive.

LESSON 2 MEDIEVAL/MIDDLE AGES

The start of the middle ages was marred by massive invasions and migrations.
Wars were prevalent during this time. As such, great technology was needed in the field of
weaponry, navigation, mass food and farm production, and health. Most innovative minds
came from this period to control the increase of trade and commerce among nations.

PRINTING PRESS
Johann Gutenberg was
able to invent the printing press, a more
reliable way of printing using a cast type.
This general invention soon evolved to be
the mechanical printing press which was
eventually used all over the world. The
printing press was invented to address the
need for publishing books that would
spread information to many people at a
faster rate.

MICROSCOPE
Growing population is caused massive migration and urbanization during
the period. More and more people are transferred to polluted and populated
urban areas which resulted in more people getting sick and needing medical
attention. To develop the proper medicines for the illness, experts must
understand the sickness through investigation that is why the invented this device
to magnify the small things that are invisible to the naked eye.

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TELESCOPE

Since the Middle Ages was also known as the age of

exploration, the need for nautical inventions was high.
Considering the vast and empty oceans that separated
lands, ship captains needed to see far and wide for them
to navigate or avoid dangers at sea.

WAR WEAPON

Since wars were widespread during the Middle Ages, great

development in the weaponry technology also occurred.
One of the keys to gain victory during this time are well
crafted bows, spears, even armors which are used in close
range hand-to-hand combat and for open-area battles.

LESSON 3 MODERN TIMES

The booming world population during the nineteenth century onwards demanded that
more goods be produced at a faster rate. People needed efficient means of transportation to
trade more goods and cover a larger distance. Machines that required animals to operate must
thus be upgrade. Faster and easier means to communicate and compute should be developed
to establish connections between and among nations. Because of these, the birth of various
industries takes place. However, due to massive industrialization, the modern times again faced
more complicated problems.

PASTEURIZATION

As people were able to develop better means of production to meet the needs of the
population, food preservation and food safety became an issue. The challenge to keep manufactured
from deteriorating was greater for dairy products, especially milk, since they usually spoiled faster. If
this food is not consumed immediately after the production, it might lead to food poisoning, diphtheria,
and typhoid fever.

Louise Pasture, a French biologist, microbiologist, and chemist, found a way to solve the
problem. He invented pasteurization, the process of heating dairy products to kill the harmful bacteria
that allow the m so spoil faster. Through this process, milk could be stored and consumed for a longer
period.

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 PETROLEUM REFINERY

Samuel M. Kier was able to invent

kerosene by refining petroleum. Kerosene was
later on referred to as the “illuminating oil”
because it was used at first to provide lighting
to homes. After some time, it was applied for
heating purpose. Nowadays, kerosene is still
present as still used by many people for
powering automobiles, factories, and power
plants, among others.

TELEPHONE
What do you think is the first word ever spoken on the telephone? It is “Mr. Watson, come
here. I want to see you” Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone and it was one of the
most important inventions at that time. But before, the connection is very limited, the
commoners cannot afford to buy one, and it is not that reliable in terms of stability and
consistency. Nowadays, telephones are one of the necessities in this fast-changing world.
Millennials can no longer live without it according to time magazine.

CALCULATOR
Although an earlier version of the calculator had already been developed, circumstances in the modern
times required a faster way to compute mire complicated equations. The creation of modern-day
calculator did not only pave the way for easier arithmetic calculations, but also resulted in the
development of more complex processing machines like computer.

LESSON 4 PHILIPPINE INVENTIONS

Despite being considered a developing country, the Philippines also contributes to the
global advancement of science and technology. We have a group of inventors called the Filipino
Inventors Society which aims to remedy the needs of the consumers by inventing useful
machines that could help us in our everyday living. These inventors are supported by the DOST
or the Department of Science and Technology.

Some of the world renounce Filipino inventions are the following:

 Videoke
 Salamander Amphibious Tricycle
 Salt Lamp
 Medical Incubator
 Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap System
 Ejeepney
These inventions are being recognized and being used all over the world. According to
the Filipino Inventors Society Secretary Fortunato de la Pena, “we may lack of resources, but

10
our minds are filled with knowledge” which is true. As a Filipino, we know how to be patient
and how to curl when the blanket is short meaning, we find ways in every problem that we
face.

The items discussed in this chapter are only some of the great inventions and developments
during the different time periods. There are still more innovations and discoveries that were made in the
course of history that changed the world.

Answer Me
IF I WERE AN INVENTOR…
Direction: in this section, you learned that necessity is the mother of inventions and
innovations. In this task, you will address this 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. On the space below, sketch
a draft of your invention then answer the questions that follow. Make sure to put some color
and life in it.

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1. If you are to invent, what would be your invention? Why?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. How is your invention similar to or different form 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?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

Direction: Answer the following questions and write your answer on the space
provided

1. Give three other major scientific and technological developments in the world (or in
the Philippines) that created a large impact on your daily life
2. What historical antecedents gave rise to the inventions you mentioned in the first
question?
3. How did the developments in science and technology shape human history? (essay,
use at least 5 sentences to explain your answer) 5 pts.
4. . What do you think is the importance of progressive invention? (essay, use at least 5
sentences to explain your answer) 5 pts.
5. Give 5 inventions from the past civilizations that are still used these days.

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Chapter 2: Intellectual Revolutions
that defined Society
The Intellectual revolution pertains to the period of paradigm shifts or changes in
the scientific beliefs that have been widely embraced and accepted by the people (Hintay,
2018).

THE THREE REVOLUTIONS THAT DEFINED THE SOCIETY

1.) Ideas of known intellectuals

2.) Information Revolution

3.) Cradles of Early Science

IDEAS OF KNOWN INTELLECTUALS

COPERNICAN REVOLUTION
In the 6th century, Ptolemy introduced the geocentric
model where it showed that the Earth is the center of the universe which
was thought to be true by most of the people at that time.

NICHOLAS COPERNICUS (1473-1543)

Copernicus is an Astronomer who contradicts the
geocentric model and proposed the Heliocentric Theory where planets
revolve around the sun.

The change from the belief of geocentric to heliocentric happened through the
contributions of other important persons such as:

 Brahe’s observation of the star Cassiopeia

 Kepler stated that the planets move in elliptical orbits and the sun at the center
 Galileo Galilei developed telescope and observed Venus
 Isaac Newton’s law of gravitation
The Copernican revolution influences conceptual changes in cosmology, religion,
physics, and philosophy.

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DARWINIAN REVOLUTION

CHARLES DARWIN (1809-1882) Formulated his book “On the

Origin of Species” in 1859 that presented evidence on how
species evolved over time and “The Descent of Man (1871)” that
introduced the idea of all organic life under the realm of
revolutionary thinking.

Darwin proposed the theory of evolution by natural

selection where organisms change overtime as a result of
changes in heritable physical or behavioral traits. The changes
that allow an organism to better adapt to its environment can
help it survive and have more offspring.

There are 2 main points in his theory:

1. All life on Earth is connected and related to each other

2. This diversity of life came about because of the modifications in populations that were driven
by natural selection

Natural Selection- survival of the fittest

FREUDIAN REVOLUTION
SIGMUND FREUD (1856-1939)
Freud founded psychoanalysis. He described that
the brain can be segmented into compartments. He developed
an observational method to study human's inner life mainly
focuses on human sexuality and evil nature of man.
The Freudian revolution greatly affected or gave
rise to the Literature, Visual Arts and Music.
INFORMATION REVOLUTION

The Information Revolution started from the

Sumerian pictographs, which is the earliest writing system. Then
comes the invention of Gutenberg’s printing press 1455. There
emerged the use of typewriter and telegraph. Today,
technologies are used widely which became easier with the help

14
of internet to communicate and disseminate and store information

THE FOUR CRADLES OF EARLY SCIENCE

MESOAMERICAN

Mesoamerican Civilizations
 Mayan
 Inca
 Aztec

Contributions of the Mesoamericans

 The Aztecs had established a great military force.
 The chinampa of the Aztecs used small rectangular area of fertile land to grow crops on the
shallow lake beds.
 The use of rubber is documented in the Maya ball game called tlatchtli.
 They used cocoa beans as a currency.
 The Maya developed an accurate calendar, also known as the Mayan Calendar
 The Quipos are used by the Incan for book-keeping
 The Mita system was invented by the Inca. It is a labor service that takes for in road and
bridge construction, in cultivation of corn and textile production.

MIDDLE EAST

Contributions in the Middle East:

 The Arab applied the romans principles and improve the watermill known as noria.
 The middle East is known for their machine designed for the improvement of irrigation,
industrial work and for war. The windmill and watermill are used for crushing sugarcanes,
grinding grain, and pumping water.
 The book of Badic al-Zaman ibn al-Razaz al-Jazari described candle and water clocks, water
vessels, fountains, automata, and water raising devices
 The book written by Taqi al-Din ibn Maruf al-Rashid al-Dimashqi explained steam power and a
blueprint of a six-piston pump.

ASIA

Major contributions in Asia:

 Traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture and herbal medicine were practiced
 Four great inventions in china: Compass, gunpowder, papermaking, printing
 Other: alchemy, which is a Taoist chemistry

AFRICAN
Contributions from Africa:
 Africa is known for the production of Kola nuts and coffee in Ethiopia (Kola nuts are mostly
found in West Africa and is the basis of cola drink).
 Coffee was developed as a consumable drink that spread to Arabia and then throughout the
world
 Africa used plants with salicylic acid for pain (aspirin) and for diarrhea (Kaopectate).
 They are also highly advanced in medicine such operating autopsies and caesarian.

15
 The technology involved experimentation in drainage, construction of polders, desalination,
and irrigation. Evidence in 1978 suggests that they already mastered making steels.

Chapter 3
Science and Technology and Nation
building

This lesson will discuss the influence of science and technology in the
development of the Philippine society. It identifies government programs, projects, and policies
geared toward boasting the science and technological capacity of the country. This lesson will
also include discussions on the Philippine indigenous science and technology.

A. BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES

The history of science and technology in the Philippines started way back the country
gained its independence from the American Colonizers. Before the coming of the
Spanish colonizers, the early in habitants of the archipelago had their own culture and
traditions. They had their own belief system and indigenous knowledge system that
keeps them organized and sustained their lives and communities for many years.

PRE-SPANISH PHILIPPINES

• Science in Pre-spanish philippines, is embedded in the way of life of the people.

• During spanish colonizers; Influence of our culture and practices...
• Scientific knowledge is observed in the way...
-they plant their crops that provide them food,
-in taking care of animals to help them in their daily task.
• Science is observed in the way they interpret the movements of heavenly bodies to predict
seasons and climates, and organizing days into months and years.
• They use science in preparing the soil for agricultural purposes,
• They also use for medicinal uses of plants.
• Technology is used by people in building houses, irrigations, and in developing tools.
- They develop tools for planting, hunting, cooking and fishing; for fighting their enemies
during war or tribal conflicts. Metal Age: has significant influence on the lives of Filipinos.
- jewelry, ceramics and metal tools
- Different opportunites: nearby countries: China, Indonesia, and Japan help development
and other nearby countries.
• Discovery of archeological artifacts in different parts of the country- METAL AGE
• Different opportunities for cultural and technological exchange.

SPANISH COLONIZATION
• Spanish brought us with them their own culture and practices.
• They established schools for boys and girls and introduced the concept of subjects and
discipline.
• Beginning of Formal Science and technology in the country
• Learning of science in School focuses on understanding different concepts.
• Philippines: Center of global trade in SEA

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AMERICAN COLONIZATION

• More influence us
• Establishment of public education system
• Establishment of modern research university like UP
• “Americanize”
• recognized the learning of science and Introduce it in Private and Public School

Internal Influences
- Survival
- Culture
- Economic Activities

Development of
Science and technology
External Influences
- Foreign colonizer
- Trades with foreign countries
International Economic Demands

Figure 1: Innfluences in the Development of Science and Technology

in the Philippines

17
 B. GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The Philippine government introduced and implemented several programs, projects,
and policies to boost the area of science and technology. The goal is to prepare the
whole country and its people to meet the demands of a technologically driven world
and capacitate the people live in a world driven by science.

Padilla-Conception (20150 reported that in 2015 reported that in 2015, in response to the
ASEAN 2015 Agenda, the government, particularly the Department of Science and Industry
(DOST), has sought the expertise of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NCRP) to
consult various section in the society to study how Philippines can prepare to the ASEAN 2015
goals. As a result of the consultation, the NRCP expected to recommend policies and programs
that will improve the competitiveness of the Philippines in the ASEAN Region.

The NCRP clustered these policies into four, namely:

1. Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, International Policies and Governance

• Integrating ASEAN awareness in basic education without adding to the curriculum.
• Emphasizing teaching in the mother tongue
• Developing school infrastructure and providing for ICT broadband
• Local food security

2. Physics, Engineering and Industrial Research, earth and Space Sciences, and
Mathematics
• Emphasizing degrees, licenses, and employment opportunities
• Outright grants for peer monitoring
• Review R.A. 9184
• Harnessing science and technology as an independent mover of development

3. Medical, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences

• Ensuring compliance of drug-manufacturing firms with ASEAN-harmonized standards
by full implementation of the Food and drug Administration
• Creating an education council dedicated to standardization of pharmaceutical services
and care
• Empowering food and drug and agencies to conduct evidence based research as pool
of information
• Allocating two percent of GDP to research
• Legislating a law supporting human genome projects

4. Biological Sciences, agriculture, and Forestry

• Protecting and conserving biodiversity by full implementation of existing laws
• Use of biosafety and standard model by ASEAN countries
• Promoting indigenous knowledge systems and indigenous people’s conservation
• Formulation of common food and safety standards

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 C. FAMOUS FILIPINO IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE

These Filipino scientists are;

1. Ramon Cabanos Barba- for his outstanding research on tissue culture in Philippines
mangoes 2. Josefino cacas Comiso- for his works on on observing the characteristics of
Antartica by using satellite images
3. Jose Bejar Cruz Jr.- known intentionally in the field of electrical engineering; was
elected as officer of the famous Institute of electrical and Electronic Engineering
4. Lourdes Jansuy Cruz- notable for her research on sea venom
5. Fabian Millar Dayrit- for his research on herbal medicine
6. Rafael Dineros Guerrero III- for his research on tilapia culture
7. Enrique Mapua Ostrea Jr. – for inventing the meconium drugs testing
8. lilian Formalejo Patena- for doing research on plant biotechnology
9. mari-jo Panganiban Ruiz- for being an outstanding educator and graph theorist
10.Gregory ligot tangonan- for his research in the field of communications technology

There are other outstanding Filipino scientists who are recognized here and abroad for their
outstanding contributions in science:

• Caesar A. Saloma: an internationally renowned physicist

• Edgardo Gomez: famous scientist in marine science
• William Padolina: Chemistry and president of national academy of Science and Technology (NAST)-
Philippines
• Angel Alcala: marine science

Self- Check A.
Think about these questions:
Answer it on your separate paper.
1. Identify several issues in the Philippines. What science and technology-related policies could
be developed and implemented to solve these issues?
2. What can you say about the implementation of some science and technology policies and
projects in the country?
3. What are the laws related to science and technology in the Philippines from the year 2000?
4. How are these laws implemented?

Self-Check B.

1. Identify several Filipino Scientists.

2. Research on their contributions in the field of Science?
3. Examine what them pursue a career in science.
4.Present the result of your work in class

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Chapter 4:
The Human Person Flourishing in
Terms of Science and Technology
SELECTED VIEWS ON TECHNOLOGY

ARISTOTELIANISM
This views technology as basically a means to
an end. To Aristotle, technology is the organizing of
techniques in order to meet the demand that is being posed
by humans. This may seem that technology is primarily
concerned with the product.

Technological pessimism

Jacques Ellul (1912-1994) French philosopher

 Holds that technology is progressive and beneficial in many ways, it is also doubtful in
many ways.
 Technological optimism believes that technology is the answer to all man’s problems.
 According to Ellul’s pessimistic arguments are:
1. technological progress has a price
2. technological progress creates more problems
3. technological progress creates damaging effects
4. technological progress creates unpredictable devastating effects

Technological optimism
 This view is strongly supported by technologists and engineers and also by ordinary
people who believe that technology can alleviate all the difficulties and provide
solutions for problems that may come.
 The extreme version of this philosophy is technocratism which holds technology as the
supreme authority on everything.
 Technology is beneficial in many ways but can also be harmful in many ways.

Existentialism
The main concern of this view is the existence or the mode of being of someone
or something which is governed by the norm of authenticity.
This view basically investigate the meaning of existence or being and is always
faced with the selection must make with which the existent will commit himself to.

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Martin Heidegger,
a philosopher is one of the most known supporters of this
philosophy.
 A well-known German philosopher examined the two usual
definitions of technology: means to an end and a human activity,
because he believed that this kind of confusing and there are
questions to it that we easily overlook.
 He called it the instrumental and anthropological definition of
technology or simply means by which the human ends are realize.

The instrumental definition of Technology

 According to Heidegger, the instrumental definition of technology encourages us to

view technology from different periods of time as not having fundamental differences.
 He explained while technology is geared towards meeting a human needs, still there is a
difference between older handicraft technologies with modern technology.
 As it is, “a saw mill on a secluded valley of the Black Forest is a primitive means
compared with hydroelectric plant on the Rhine River”- Heidegger 1977
 Heidegger also agued that “technology is by no means technological” and should not be
seen as merely neutral.
 The problem begins when humans see it only as a means to an end and disregard the
fact that there is a good technology and a bad technology.
 Another problem Heidegger saw in the instrumental definition of technology is that it
only invites man to a continual desire to master it which unconsciously may be making
technology go out of hand.
 Everything depends on our manipulating technology in the proper manner as a means.
 In order that we may arrive at this, or at least come close to it, we must seek the true
by way of the correct.

Understanding human flourishing

It has been discussed that human being is endowed with innate abilities and
characteristics that let him sustain his function and to survive in the given environment.

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  Human flourishing is defined as an endeavor to achieve self-actualization and
fulfillment within the context of a larger community of individuals. This also means
access to the pleasant life, the engaged or good life and the meaningful life.

 (Seligman, Steen, Park and Peterson, 2005), stated that human flourishing requires the
development of attributes and social and personal levels that exhibit character
strengths and virtues that are commonly agreed across different cultures.

Aristotle’s viewpoint
Aristotle’s teachings suggest that each man’s life has a purpose and that the
function of one’s life is to attain that purpose.
For Aristotle, happiness (earthly) is the highest desire and ambition of all human
beings.

And to achieve it, one must cultivate the highest virtues within oneself. Aristotle
believed that human beings have a natural desire and capacity to know and understand the
truth, to pursue moral excellence, and to instantiate their ideals in the world through action.
-Furthermore, these actions are geared towards one’s proper and desired end-flourishing,
happiness or eudemenia.

According to Aristotle, there is an end of all the actions that we perform which we desire
for itself. Flourishing is the greatest good of human endeavors and that toward which all actions aim.
The good is what is good for purposeful and goal-directed entities. He presented the various popular
conceptions of the best life for human beings;
(1) A philosophical life,
(2) A life of pleasure and
(3) A life of political activity

WHAT IS EUDOMENIA?
Etymologically speaking, eudemonia is consists of Greek words “eu” which
means “good” and “daemon” which means “spirit”.
-meaning “the state of having good indwelling spirit; a good genius”.

Eudaimonia (also known as Eudaemonism) is a Greek word, which refers to state of having a
good indwelling spirit of being in a contented state of being healthy, happy and prosperous.
In moral philosophy, eudaimonia is used to refer to the right actions as those
that result in the well-being of an individual.

EPICURUS’S VIEWPOINT
Epicurus (born 341 B.C) was a Greek philosopher who contradicted the
metaphysical philosophers. He believed that balance and temperature were created space for
happiness. His view is not more of how happiness can be defined but more on theory about the
real source to experience it.

Socrates believed that virtues such as selfcontrol, justice, courage, wisdom, piety
and related qualities of mind and soul are absolutely crucial if a person is to lead a good and
happy life. Virtues guarantee a happy life Eudaimonia.
Plato, Eudaimonia depends on virtue (arête) which is depicted as the most
crucial and the dominant constituent of euddaimonia.
Pyrrho, founder of Pyrrhonism, a school of philosophical skepticism that places
the attainment of ataraxia (a state of equanimity) as a way to achieve Eudaimonia. Pyrrhonist
practice is for the purpose of achieving epoch.

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Flourishing
Philosophers’ views are the evidence of objective sense of how it means to flourish. -It accepts
that man’s ultimate desire of living is to flourish and to experience a life of well-being (life that
goes well for him). Flourishing can either be based on the state of mind (e.g mental habit) or a
kind of value (e.g insights, outlook).

Enframing
 Gathering of the setting-upon challenges to bring the concealed to
unconcealment.
 Also shows the essence of modern technology.
 Basically putting in order whatever is presented to the man who sets
upon the unconcealed but it is a two-way relationship:
 -man cannot set himself upon unconcealment without unconcealment’s
call and the unconcealed will not go into unconcealment without the man
responding to its call.

The danger of the nonstop revealing

 Revealing opens up a relationship between man and the world but an
opening up of something means a closing down of something which
means as something is revealed, another is concealed.- ( the rise of a
cause-effect understanding of reality closes off an understanding of God
as something mysterious and holy).
 Another danger is when man falls into a misinterpretation of that which is
presented to him. That is when he sees himself in the object before him
rather than seeing the object itself.

The society in the face of science and technology

 When one looks around him now, he will see that man tends to find his
happiness in the works of
modern technology.
 Heidegger argued that this can
be prevented if man will not
allow himself to be
overwhelmed with the
enframing that he was set
upon, but he pause for a while
and reflect on the value of
what is presented
anthropological.

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REFERENCES:
Hintay, K. J. (2018, February 6). INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTIONS. Retrieved November 13, 2019,
from https://prezi.com/2ak2vqch_apz/intellectual-revolutions/.

Kahulugan, J. (2018). Week 2: Intellectual Revolutions that Defined Society. Retrieved

November 13, 2019, from https://quizlet.com/322543864/week-2-intellectual-revolutionsthat-
defined-society-flash-cards/

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

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