Module 2

Lesson 1
The Human Flourishing

Introduction
Conceptions on how human flourished depend in the desire of every human to find ways in order
to achieve its goal. It is human nature. Finding means to problem is important in order to survive
and live.

Learning Outcomes
In this lesson, you are expected to gain the different learning outcomes listed below:

1. Identify different conceptions of human flourishing.

2. Determine the development of the scientific method and validity of science.

3. Critic human flourishing vis-à-vis progress of science and technology to define for
themselves the meaning of good life.

Activity (Let’s get started)

You are asked to rearrange the given jumbled procedures below about heating a
liquid in a test tube safely by placing the letter only on the appropriate number on
the right side.

A. do not point the tube to anyone 1. ________

B. and heat it by moving back and forth 2. ________
C. Half-fill a test tube with water 3. ________
D. across the flame of the burner 4. ________
E. hold the test tube with a holder, tilt it for 45 degrees. 5. ________
F. nor look into the tube while it is being heated 6. ________

ANALYSIS

How does science aid in solving certain scientific endeavor?

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ABSTRACTION

The journey of man’s gradual progress throughout history defines the

development of science and technology. In pursuit of man’s ultimate goal and
needs, man tends to find ways to attain them. This lesson will give you an idea on different
conceptions of human flourishing through science and technology.

Science, Technology, and Human Flourishing

Aristotle describe the pinnacle of happiness that is attainable by man as Eudaimonia, literally
coined the term as “good spirited. Eudaimonia has often translated into “human flourishing.
Flourishing is the highest good of human endeavors and that toward which all actions aim. It is
success as a human being. The best life is one of excellent human activity.

Every civilization has its own focus in order to flourish.

• The Western civilization tends to be more focused on the individual; based on an
individual’s values rather than his belief that the state is greater than him.
• The east are more community-centric; community takes the highest regard that the
individual should sacrifice himself for the sake of the society. The east is more community-
centric; community takes the highest regard that the individual should sacrifice himself for
the sake of the society.

Every discovery, innovation, and success contribute to our pool of human knowledge; human’s
perpetual need to locate himself in the world by finding proofs to trace evolution;
The end goals of both science and technology and human flourishing are related; in that the good
is inherently related to the truth, are two concepts about science which ventures its claim on truth.

Science and Results

People who do not understand science are won over when the discipline is able to produce
results.
• In this particular argument, however, science is not the only discipline which is able to
produce results—religion, luck, and human randomness are some of its contemporaries
in the field.
• For some communities without access to science, they can turn to divination and
superstition and still get the same results.
 • Science is not entirely foolproof, such that it is correct 100% of the time.

Science as Education

In the Philippines, a large distribution of science high schools can be found, forging competition
for aspiring students to undergo rigorous science and mathematics training based on specialized
curricula.
• As students are preconditioned that the field would later land them high-paying jobs and
a lucrative career after graduation.
• Simply mastering science and technology would be inadequate if we are to, say, socialize
with people or ruminate on our inner self.
• A true eudaimonia recognizes that flourishing requires one to excel in various dimensions,
such as linguistic, kinetic, artistic, and socio-civic.

Science as a Social Endeavor

• new school of thought on the proper demarcation criterion of science emerged.
• Explores the social dimension of science and effectively, technology
• The new view perpetuates a dimension which generally benefits the society. Sciences
cease to belong solely to gown wearing, bespectacled scientists at laboratories.

Science as Method and Results

The Scientific Method:

1. Observe
2. Determine the problem
3. formulate hypothesis; reject the null hypothesis
4. Conduct experiment
5. Gather and analyze results
6. Formulate conclusion and provide recommendation

Verification Theory
• The earliest criterion that distinguishes philosophy and science
• The idea proposes that a discipline is science if it can be confirmed or interpreted in the
event of an alternative hypothesis being accepted.
• Several budding theories that lack empirical results might be shot down prematurely,
causing slower innovation and punishing ingenuity of newer, novel thoughts.
 • This theory completely fails to weed out bogus arguments that explain things
coincidentally.

Falsification Theory
• Karl Popper is the known proponent of this view.
• Asserts that as long as an ideology is not proven to be false and can best explain a
phenomenon over alternative theories
• Allowed emergence of theories otherwise rejected by verification theory
• Encourages research in order to determine which among the theories can stand the test
of falsification

APPLICATION

1. What do you think constitute human flourishing?

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2. Where we successful so far in trying to tie down technology with what we conceive as human
flourishing?
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Closure
Well done! You have learned from this lesson how human flourished and shaped their
own technology. You are ready for the next lesson in naming ways on how technology
aided in revealing the truth about human being.