College of Arts and Sciences Education

General Education – Science

2nd Flr. DPT Building, Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

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Big Picture in Focus: ULOb.g Discuss the importance of human
rights in the face of changing social conditions and technological
development.

Metalanguage

The most essential terms below are defined for you to have a better understanding
of this section in the course

UDHR(Universal Declaration of Human Rights) – the global standard of

fundamental human rights for universal recognition and protection.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) – the theory and development of computer systems able

to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception,
speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.

GNR - genetics, nanotech and robotics

Essential Knowledge

The good life entails living in a just and progressive society whose citizens have
the freedom to flourish. Everyone has the autonomy to make choices which may
enable the flourishing of his/her self and the society.

United Nations General Assembly – proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights (UDHR) on December 10, 1048

UDHR Preamble – “Whereas recognition of inherent dignity and of equal and

inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom,
justice and peace in the world”. Everyone has absolute moral worth by virtue of being
human.

Human dignity – is an ultimate core value of our existence. From the 1987
CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES – ARTICLE II: The State
values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.

There are concepts of Human Dignity:

a. Focuses on the inherent worth of each individual. Such dignity exists merely
by virtue of a person's humanity and does not depend on intelligence,

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 College of Arts and Sciences Education
General Education – Science
2nd Flr. DPT Building, Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

morality, or social status. Intrinsic dignity is a presumption of human

equality-each person is born with the same quantum of dignity.

b. Dignity can express and serve as the grounds for enforcing various
substantive values. Substantive forms of dignity require living in a certain
way. Dignity may require behaving, for example, with self-control, courage,
or modesty. This dignity embodies a particular view of what constitutes the
good life for man, what makes human life flourish for the individual as well
as the community.

c. Constitutional courts often associate dignity with recognition and respect.

respect for a person's dignity requires recognizing and validating individuals
in their particularity. This recognition requires individuals to demonstrate
respect and concern for each other.

When we fully recognize and appreciate this truth in ourselves and in all the
persons around us, regardless of their status in life, then we pave the way for a just
and progressive society.

The following are some of the fundamental articles of human rights that are vital
and necessary in the pursuit of good life:

Article 1 – Freedom from Equality

All human being are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
Endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit
of brotherhood.
WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv1SOp06geE&t=1s

Article 2 – Freedom from Discrimination

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedom without distinction of any kind,
such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social
origin, property, birth or other status. No distinction shall be made on political,
jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person
belongs, whether independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation
of sovereignty.
WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jy1nJCYEOo&t=3s

Article 3 - Free to Life, Liberty and Security of a person

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall
be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such
procedure as are established by law.”

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Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtMsSvPX658&t=1s

Article 4 – Freedom from Slavery

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and slave trade shall
be prohibited in all their forms.
WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnfiENKheNo&t=2s

Article 5 – Freedom from Torture, Cruelty and Degrading Treatment

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment.
WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhCQQ0fov0o

Article 6 – Freedom from Recognition

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-yOlLEV55Q

Article 7 – Legal Equalities

All are equal before the law and are entitled without discrimination to equal
protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in
violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zabio686_54

The UDHR now serve as framework in the understanding of what each person’s
fundamental rights are and these apply to everyone and everywhere. It is imperative
that we all know and live these rights to prevent injustice and oppression.

HUMAN VS ROBOTS

https://www.google.com/search?q=human+vs+robot&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijqL3i8pbq
AhUBHqYKHTg4D4oQ_AUoAXoECA0QAw&biw=758&bih=587#imgrc=SCCoMROvFV_n4M

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 College of Arts and Sciences Education
General Education – Science
2nd Flr. DPT Building, Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

There is a gradual replacement of manual labor, several factors based on:

 Manual labor is gradually being replaced by machinery. Computers

become more and more sophisticated.

 Robots usually designed like human beings, are created to perform

complex, repetitive, or dangerous tasks.

 Development of artificial intelligence (AI), robots may also eventually act

and decide like humans.

 To Filipinos, artificial intelligence seems like the stuff of science fiction

movies. But it is also use surely in gaining ground, especially in the
business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. Technology enables the
growth of the BPO industry but it seems that it is also technology that will
kill the industry. Investors and business analytics provided by artificial
intelligence.

 Unemployment is only one of the ethical considerations in the

widespread of AI. The following sample questions must be pointed out
or resolved when faced with technology that may become a threat to
human dignity and security; Is the value of the person inversely
proportional to that of a machine exhibiting? What does this mean for
human beings who can be replaced by machines? How do we guard
against mistakes committed by machines?

 Machines and robots approach having a human-like nature, humans

may also have the tendency to become machine-like. Human begin to
function more like automatons. The used of internet has become an
instant go-to tool for answers to questions. Example, more often than
not, people accept what the search engine, like Google. We forget how
to process, read, think further, or put things in context. As the internet
gets more intelligent, we are in danger of becoming less.

 Nicolas Carr (2008) asserted in his article “Is the

Google making us stupid?”, that as we rely on
computers to mediate our understanding of the
world, it is our own intelligence that flattens into
artificial intelligence.

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General Education – Science
2nd Flr. DPT Building, Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

 The development of society along with science and technology gives rise
to more and more complex issues. The important is, we are able to
protect and exercise human rights for everyone in our pursuit of the good
life. Thus, amid these developments, we are free, more rational and
more loving in our practice of science and technology.

WHY THE FUTURE DOES NOT NEED US?

 According to Bill Joy, the most powerful 21 st-
century technologies are the genetics, nanotech
and robotics (GNR). It would be threatening to
make humans an endangered species due to the
unreflective and unquestioning acceptance of new
technologies by humans.

 Joy argues that developing technologies provide a much greater danger

to humanity than any technology before has ever presented. In
particular, he focuses on engineering, nanotechnology and robotics.

 He said, “Each of these technologies also offers untold promise: the

vision of near immortality drives us forward; genetic engineering may
soon provide treatments, if not outright cures, for most of the diseases;
and nanotechnology and nanomedicine can address yet more ills.” It
could significantly extend our average life span and improve the quality
of our lives.

 The definite testament to the success of science and technology was the
atomic bomb a deadly weapon developed from the brilliant physicists led
by J. Robert Oppenheimer. But this was fatal reminder of its destructive
power after the bombings of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in
1945.

 With GNR, we are called to be circumspect and questioning of

technology as Heidegger propounded that in questioning we build a way.
Today, GNR is accessible to small groups and individuals and may not
require funding and facilities as huge as needed by nuclear weapons
and mass destruction.

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General Education – Science
2nd Flr. DPT Building, Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

 Science and technology may be the highest expression of human

rationality. People are able to shape or destroy the world with it.

 Human nature may be corrupted when the powers of our mind, our
rationality and our science and technology become manifest, and not
able to rein in the vanity arrogance such unleashed powers, then we are
on the way to destroying the world.

Self-Help: You can also refer to the sources below to help you
further understand the lesson:

Messerly, Jonh (2014). Bill Joy: Why The Future Doesn’t Need Us. Retrieved from
https://reasonandmeaning.com/2016/02/15/summary-of-bill-joys-why-the-
future-doesnt-need-us/

United Nations: Peace, Dignity and Equality on a Healthy Planet. Retrieved from
https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/index.html

GOV,PH Official Gazette Open Data Portal . THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES – ARTICLE II. Retrieved from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/the-1987-constitution-of-the-
republic-of-the-philippines/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-
philippines-article-ii/

Neomi Rao (2013)., Three Concepts of Dignity in Constitutional Law, 86

Notre Dame L. Rev. 183. Retrieved from
http://scholarship.law.nd.edu/ndlr/vol86/iss1/4

Let’s Check

Activity 7. Now, that you already have an understanding on the effect when
technology and humanity cross. You’re also able to identify our human rights and how
rational thinking is imperative especially in the use of science and technology. It’s time
for you to write your answers below on the blank provided before each item:

___________________ 1. Argued that developing technologies provide much

greater danger and it needs to be questioned and
reflected.

___________________ 2. Who questioned “Is Google making us stupid?”

___________________ 3. It refers to the ultimate core value of our existence.

___________________ 4. It is the highest expression of human rationality.

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2nd Flr. DPT Building, Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

___________________ 5. It serves as the common understanding of what each

person’s fundamental rights.

___________________ 6. It is the most powerful technologies in the contemporary

time.

___________________ 7. What article of human right is implemented when the

ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) is applied to
the country?

___________________ 8. What article of human right is violated when not when the
laws of the country are not followed and justice is served
without due process?

___________________ 9. What article in the UDHR is violated when many of the

front liners of the present situation of pandemic has been
harassed and not welcomed to join the community?

____________________ 10. What article in the UDHR is violated when someone is

bullied in the social media?

Let’s Analyze

Activity 7. At this portion, you are required to answer briefly the questions below:

1. How does science and technology affect contemporary life and vice versa?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

2. How do we protect our human rights in the face of technological

advancements and ethical dilemmas?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

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Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

3. How do we protect our human rights in the face of technological

advancements and ethical dilemmas?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

4. Do you believe that Google makes people stupid? Cite at least three
examples to support your assertion.
______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

5. Explain Bill Joy’s article “why the future does not need us?”
______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

In A Nutshell
Activity 7. Now, you learned and even made realizations about our human
rights in the changing technological advancements. Thus, you are required to write
your arguments or general point of views about this matter. I write first on the first item
and you do the rest.

1. As we face and examine present issues in the application of science and

technology, we need to keep in ourselves that this progressive society entails
and must manifest a constant practice of the good. Exhibited with scientific
methodologies, virtue, social responsibility and global concerns. These things
would practice the individual human rights.

2. ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

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Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

4. ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Do you have questions for clarifications?

Questions/Issues Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

UDHR Freedom from Discrimination

AI (Artificial Intelligence) Freedom from Slavery
GNR Freedom from Torture
Freedom from equality Legal Equalities

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