URDANETA CITY

UNIVERSITY College of Teacher Education

Owned and operated by the City Government of Urdaneta

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY

CHAPTER 1: HISTORICAL ANTECEDENT IN THE SCIENCE &

TECHNOLOGY
Introduction:

Science and technology indeed play major roles in the everyday life.

a. They make difficult and complicated tasks easier and allow people to do more with so little effort and
time.
b. The developments in this field are not just products of people’s imagination, they are also brought
about by gradual improvement to earlier works from different time periods.
(Students will give examples of technology being made with gradual improvements and tell something
the difference of these products)

➢ The driving force behind this continuous progress or development is the desire to raise the quality of
life of the people.

A. ANCIENT TIMES:
➢ In the ancient times, people were concerned with transportation & navigation, communication and
record-keeping, 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.

Reasons why they go to places using transportation:

1. Search for food and find better locations for their settlements.
2. Trade their surplus goods in exchange for things that they lacked.

Navigation assisted them in their journeys to unfamiliar and strange areas in the world and it allowed them
to return home after they discovered new places or completed an important trade with another group of
people.

COMMUNICATION was also essential in their endeavors to discover and occupy new places. They needed
a way to communicate with natives of the areas they visited so as to facilitate trade and prevent possible
conflicts.
Record-keeping was also important since they needed to remember the places they had been to and
document the trade they made with each other.
It was also vital to keep records of their history and culture so they could establish their identities as they
tried to relate with other cultures and civilizations.

➢ The increase in size and numbers of nations connoted increased demand for food and other basic
necessities. This condition implied that 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.
➢ That is the reason why people need to form of technology that would enable them to increase food
supplies and other survival needs without them travelling more or working harder.

WEAPONS & ARMORS were important as for discovery of new places or establishment of new alliances.

➢ There was always a risk of conflict when people met others with different cultures and orientations.
➢ Conflicts were common, if different groups struggled to control vital resources.
➢ As such, the development of weapons and armors for security and protection was considered major
achievements.
➢ The primary challenge they faced was the conservation of life. Different illnesses and diseases,
both natural and man-made, hampered the full potential of human being. Given this predicament,
science and technology played a major role in the discovery of cures if not, the prevention of illnesses.
ENGINEERING

➢ The development of this field allowed human to build structures that would address their specific
needs and wants. Some of the structures built during the ancient times still exists today and
continually awe people

ARCHITECTURE might see as a mere style but during the ancient times, elaborate architectural designs
were signs of technological advancements of a particular civilization.

AESTHETIC
People were not contented on beautifying only their infrastructures and surroundings. They discovered that
people looked more visually presentable and appealing by adding some features and decorations in their
body.

The following civilizations will tackle the different major technological advancements during the
ancient times. It will continue to describe the gradual application of knowledge up to the contemporary time.

SUMERIAN CIVILIZATION

Sumeria is located on the southernmost tip of ancient Mesopotamia. Sumerians are known for their
high degree of cooperation with one another and their desire for great things. This desire pushed them to
develop many things connected with science and technology.

a. CUNIEFORM. The first writing system developed by the Sumerian. It is a system that utilizes word
pictures & triangular symbols which are carved on clay using wedge instruments & then left to
dry.
➢ Keep records of things with great historical value or their everyday life.

b. URUK CITY. Considered as a great wonder not only because it is considered to be the first city in
the world but also for the way it was erected. Sumerians able to build this city with a big challenge
because of using only mud or clay from the river, which they mixed with reeds, producing sun-baked
bricks.

c. GREAT ZIGGURAT OF UR. Ziggurat is called mountain of god, was built as the same manner that
they constructed the City of Uruk. Ziggurat served as the sacred place of their chief god.

d. Irrigation & Dikes.

Main problem:
- As population increased, so did the demand for food.
- The Sumerians were challenged to mass production of food but the elements in the environment
seemed uncooperative.
- Difficult to get water from the rivers, thus they could not maintain farmlands
- Scarcity of water supply while others had problems with flooding caused by the river

Solutions:

- Sumerians created dikes & irrigation canal to bring water to farmlands and at the same time
control the flooding of the rivers.

Results:

- This method was considered as one of the world’s most beneficial engineering works
- Through dikes and canals, the Sumerians were able to enjoy year-long farming and harvesting,
which increased their food production.

e. Sailboats
- Another challenge for Sumerians was mode for transportation. Why?
- (wheel was not yet invented, the main mode of transportation was through waterways such as
rivers and seas.)
- Essentials: transportation and trading as well in fostering their culture, information and
technology.

f. Wheel
- Sumerians were able to invent the wheel.
 - The first wheel is not intended for transportation but for farm and food process.
- With the use of the wheel and axle, mass production was made easier.
- Farmers were be able mill grains with less effort in less time.

g. Plow – another technology invention by the Mesopotamians.

- This technology which would enable them to dig the ground where seeds would be planted.

h. Roads
- Sumerian developed the first road to facilitate faster and easier travel.
- They made the roads with the same technology they used in making the sun-baked bricks that
they laid down on the ground. They latter poured bitumen, a black sticky substance similar to
asphalt, to smoothens the roads.

BABYLONIAN CIVILIZATION

➢ Babylonian civilization emerged near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

➢ They were great builders, engineers and architects.
➢ Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. - King Nebuchadnezzar
II built for his wife Queen Amytis
➢ No evidence has been found to prove the existence and even the exact location is unknown.
➢ Lacked of documentation or archeological evidence.
➢ If it is true, this may be considered as one of the greatest engineering and architectural achievements
of the world that can not be replicated.
➢ Contributions to the society: the use of unit of length, weight and capacity, multiplication tables,
geometry and land surveying, systematic measurement of time, astronomical observations,
astrology

EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION

➢ Another civilization famous for its legacy and located in North Africa.
➢ Engineering feats regarding the infrastructures established by the pharaohs.
➢ Other technologies includes:
A. PAPYRUS
- One of the contributions of Egyptian by developing a system of writing.
- Before, clay tablets were used, however, safe-keeping abd transporting them were a major
problems.
- Reasons: Clay tablets were very fragile, heavy and delicate to handle (major challenge to bring
one place to another)
- The invention of papyrus or paper was a welcome development.
- Advantages:
a. Easy to carry and to store.
b. Less breakable
c. For record-keeping and communication.

B. HIEROGLYPHICS – is system of writing using symbols by the Egyptian Civilization

C. WATER CLOCK/CLEPSYDRA - Developed from the reign of King Amenhotep III (1390-1352
BC)
- It is made of alabaster and was probably used for indicating the passage of hours of the
night.
- In use, the vessel was filled with water, which leaked out slowly from a small hole near
the bottom. The time is indicated by the level of the water in the vessel, which is shaped
so that it falls at a uniform rate. At this time it was customary to divide the period of
daylight and darkness into twelve `hours` which thus varied with the seasons. The inside
of the vessel has twelve scales each marked with the name of the month.

D. COSMETICS - This was for both HEALTH & AESTHETICS REASONS

➢ KOHL –wore around the eyes to prevent and even cure eye diseases.
- It is made of mixing soot with mineral galena
- Wearing up was protection from evil and that beauty was a sign of holiness
E. WIGS - Wigs were worn for health and wellness rather than aesthetic purposes.
- protect the shaved of the wealthy Egyptian from the harmful rays of the sun
- Better than putting on a scarf since a wig allowed heat to escape.
GREEK CIVILIZATION

➢ In-depth works of the Greek Civilization: philosophy and mathematics, coliseums and the Olympics
➢ Inventions:
A. ALARM CLOCK
➢ This was invented to tell an individual when to stop or when to start
➢ They made use of water (small stones or sand) that dropped into drums which sounded as
alarm.
➢ Plato used this alarm clock to signal the start of his lesson. He used 4 water vessels line
up vertically. The upper vessel supplied the water which dropped to the vessel below it,
which was set to be filled in a given time. After it was full, water was siphoned off at a
faster rate into the third vessel which would cause the expulsion of contained air, creating
a whistling noise.

B. WATER MILL is commonly used in agricultural processes like milling of grains which was necessary form
of food processing.

ROMAN CIVILIZATION – perceived to be the strongest political and social entity in the west.

➢ Discoveries and inventions still relevant today.

➢ NEWSPAPERS the first newspapers known as GAZETTES
➢ It contains announcements of the Roman empire.

➢ BOUND BOOKS or CODEX

➢ With the invention of papers, it became easier for civilizations to write down everything.
➢ Record-keeping was much easier
➢ Aside from Romans writing down information about history and politics, literature also
changed form from clay tablets to parchments papers
➢ According to sources, Julius Caesar started the tradition of stacking up papyrus to form
pages of a book. Later on, they were able to provide covers to protect the papyrus.
➢ This covers were made up of wax, until later on replaced by animal skin.
➢ The ancient Roman empire was able to produce the first books or CODEX.

➢ ROMAN ARCHITECTURE - One of the most visual contributions of the ancient Roman Empire to the
world.

➢ ROMAN NUMERALS - Number systems had already been established before the Roman Numeral,
these old systems could not keep up with the high calculation requirements.

➢ Devised their number system specifically to address the need for a standard counting method.

CHINESE CIVILIZATION – silk, tea production, Great Wall of China, gunpowder

➢ Inventions:
➢ SILK - They developed the technology to harvest the silk and process it to produced paper and
clothing.
➢ Silk production resulted in the creation of a product for trade.
➢ TEA PRODUCTION - This is a beverage produced by pouring hot or boiling water over crushed or
shredded dried tea leaves.
➢ The first tea was drunk by the Chinese Emperor.
➢ GREAT WALL OF CHINA - This was a man-made structure
➢ The largest and most extensive infrastructure that the nation built.
➢ It is made of stone, brick, wood, earth and other materials.
➢ GUNPOWDER - One of the most interesting inventions in China
➢ It was developed by Chinese alchemists who aimed to achieve immortality
➢ It is mixed with charcoal, sulfur and potassium nitrate, but instead of creating elixir of life,
they accidentally invented a black powder that could actually generate large amounts of
heat and gas.
➢ Instead of prolonging life, gunpowder is widely used to propel bullets from guns and
cannons which cause countless death.
 MEDIEVAL OR MIDDLE AGES

➢ The start of the middle ages was marred by massive invasions and migrations.
➢ Trade and commerce among nations

Middle Ages:

• refer to the period of a thousand years between the fall of ancient civilization and rise of the Italian
Renaissance (476 – 1550 AD)

• sometimes referred to as the “Dark Ages” because the cultural and political traditions of the ancient
world were eclipsed with the collapse of Roman civilization and the conquest of Europe by Germanic
tribes

• shortage of currency, industry, agriculture, commerce and trade ceased to be active and productive,
wars caused many deaths among the nobles and military leaders

• The Arabic conquest of Asiatic countries

• Islamic science

• The Dark Ages: translation of Greek words into Arabic

Renaissance: (14th-16th century)

• revival of European culture particularly in Italy

• retranslation of Greek words into Latin
• rediscovery of Aristotle's works and other Greek writing
• Thomas Aquinas - grace perfects and builds on nature
• Roger Bacon - study of nature through empiricism, mathematician
• intellectual ferment
• spirit of free inquiry
• paper making
• geographical discoveries and navigation
• establishment of modern universities
• economic growth, increased wealth and opportunities
• population growth and the revival of culture and interest in scientific pursuit

The Rise of Modern Science

➢ The publication of the work of Copernicus on the Revolution of the Heavenly Bodies in 1543 started
the scientific revolution. His ideas were promoted by Galileo and other scientists.
➢ Biology
➢ Chemistry
➢ Newton’s contributions
➢ scientific academies
➢ development in the different sciences and mathematics
➢ Geographical discoveries
➢ 19th century science
➢ 20th century science
➢ scientist saw similarities between the human body and machines (heart and water pump by William
Harvey on blood circulation)
➢ instruments were developed and refined to enable scientists to pursue their investigations
➢ close interaction between science and technology
➢ close interaction between science and technology
➢ scientists interact through publication
➢ scientific academies, universities and international scientific organizations
➢ giving of Nobel prizes was started in 1901 by Alfred Nobel (Swedish chemist and engineer who
invented the dynamite)
➢ Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) – engineer, architect, physicist, biologist and philosopher
➢ Copernicus (1473-1543) –heliocentric theory, modern explanation of the seasons, diurnal and
annual motions of the earth
➢ Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) – mechanics, geometry, magnetism, astronomy and instrument
making, mathematical science of dynamics
➢ Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564) – “The Anatomy of the Human Body” (7 volumes)
 ➢ Johannes kepler (1571-1630) astronomer
➢ William Harvey (1578-1657)- “An Astronomical Dissertation Concerning the Motion of the
Heart and Blood Pressure in Animals”
➢ Francis Bacon (1561-1626) – “Novum Organum” systematic cultivation of natural science by
experimental method
➢ Rene Descartes (1596-1650) – “Discourse on Method” four rules for straight thinking
➢ Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)scientist and philosopher
➢ Robert Boyle (1627-1691) chemist and physicist
➢ Marcello Malphighi (+1694) - anatomist
➢ Robert Hooke (1635-1727) - physicist and mathematician
➢ Isaac Newton (1642-1727) – “Principia” on the 3 laws of motion, Law of Universal Gravitation
➢ Antoine Lavoisier (1743-1794) – father of modern chemistry, confirmed the law of
conservation of matter
➢ Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) – introduced the binomial nomenclature, identified man as
Homo sapiens
➢ Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) – “Experiments and Observations on Electricity made in
Philadelphia in America”
➢ James Watt (1736-1819) – designer of the modern steam engine
➢ Michael Faraday (1791-1867) - discovered electromagnetic induction (dynamo), electrolysis
➢ Charles Darwin (1791-1867) – the theory of Evolution “On the Origin of the Species and the
Descent of Man”
➢ Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) – work on fermentation, applied knowledge of bacteria to diseases
➢ Harvey Cushing (1869-1939) – neurological teaching and practice, endocrinology
➢ Albert Einstein (1879-19550 – special and general theory of relativity, statistical mechanics
and quantum theory , photon theory of light
➢ Ernest Lawrence (1901-1958) – invented the cyclotron, structure ef the atom, artificial
radioactivity, application of radiation to biology and medicine

➢ Inventions:
➢ Printing press – Johann Gutenberg
➢ Microscope – Zacharias Janssen
➢ Telescope - Middle ages was also known as the Age of Exploration, the need of nautical inventions
was high.
- This invention of telescope, an optical instrument that helps in the observation of remote
objects, was a great help for navigators.
- Together with the telescope, the inventions of the compass, oars and rudders made sea
travelling easier and safer.
➢ War weapons

MODERN TIMES

➢ During the 19th century onwards demanded that more goods be produced at a faster and easier.
➢ Machines that required animals to operate thus be upgraded.
➢ Food processing and medicine posed some of the bigger challenges since health was of great concern.
➢ Faster and easier means to communicate and compute should be developed to establish connections
between and among nations
➢ Inventions:
➢ Pasteurization – Louis Pasteur
➢ Petroleum Refinery – Samuel M. Kier
➢ Telephone – Alexander Graham Bell
➢ Calculator

HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES

EARLY AGES (STONE AGE AND IRON AGE)

➢ early settlements can be traced around 50,000 years ago in Palawan and Batangas
➢ early simple tools or weapons of stone flakes
➢ techniques for sawing, drilling and polishing hard stones for about 40,000 yrs
➢ 3,000 BC, pottery flourished
 ➢ metal tools and implements (copper, gold, bronze and, later, iron) during second or third century
B.C. to the tenth century A.D
➢ weaving cotton, smelting iron, making pottery and glass ornaments and agriculture by the first
century A.D

CHINESE TRADE

➢ build boats for coastal trade by the tenth century A.D (porcelain, beeswax, cotton, true pearls,
iron pots, iron needles and tin, etc)
➢ regular trade relations with the Chinese had been well established during the tenth to the
fifteenth centuries AD
➢ Hindu-Buddhist, Malay-Sanskrit and Arab-Muslim Cultural and technological influences spread to
the Philippines

SPANISH ERA: beginnings of modern science and technology

• mining, jewelry making, agriculture, wine making, cloth weaving

• learned to make and use modern artillery, system of writing and weights and measures
• established schools, hospitals and started scientific research
• religious orders in the conquest and colonization of the archipelago
• Economic trade (Galleon Trade) adopted by the colonial government, reduction of agriculture,
boom in shipbuilding
• Reduccion – new government, convents, collection of tax
• system of education – pharmacy and medicine, natural sciences
• UST was founded

American Regime

• science and technology in the Philippines advanced rapidly

• extensive public education system; the granting of scholarships in science and engineering
• higher professional education; industrial and vocational education

• proliferation of private schools

• UP was established
• Bureau of Science and other science organizations and agencies
• remaining primarily as an exporter of agricultural crops and raw materials and an importer of
American manufactured goods

Philippine Inventions:

➢ Despite being considered a developing country, the Philippines also contributes to the global
advancement of science and technology.
➢ The Philippines is known to be one of the most vulnerable countries in terms of natural disasters.
Many of the discoveries and inventions made by the Filipinos were built from indigenous materials or
created to adapt to the harsh tropical environment.
➢ Inventions:
A. UPGRADING OF VEHICLES
- Examples: conversion of American military jeeps used in World War II into jeepneys.
- Innovation of a sidecar to a motorcycle, transforming it into a tricycle to accommodate
more passengers.
- SALAMANDER AMPHIBIOUS TRICYCLE was invented that can cross not only flooded streets
but also rivers and lakes.
o Dominic N. Chung & Lamberto Armada with Chief designer Victor Llave innovate
this vehicle to solve the problem on flooded street.
B. SALT LAMP
- One of the major needs in the Philippines, as a developing nation, is electrification.
- Filipinos have resorted to using candles and kerosene lamps but they carry certain risks
as they are fire hazards.
- Solar power is also welcome development but too expensive for ordinary Filipinos.
- AISA MIJENO, a young Filipina, was able to invent a lighting system that utilizes a material
abundant in the Philippines – saltwater.
o She invented the Sustainable Alternative LighTING (SALt) LAMP
 ▪ SALt lamp an environment-friendly light source that runs on salt water.
➢ Safer as it poses no risk of fire and emits no toxic gases.
➢ Aside from People live from coastal areas, it may also benefit those
from far-flung barrios because they can make their own saltwater
lamp by mixing 2 tablespoon of salt and a glass of tap water.
C. MEDICAL INCUBATOR
- DR. FE DEL MUNDO, a Filipino pediatrician and the first Asian woman admitted into
Harvard Medical School, devised a medical incubator made from indigenous and cheap
materials which did not run on electricity.
- The incubator was made by placing a native laundry basket inside a bigger one. Hot water
bottles were inserted between the baskets to provide warmth and a makeshift hood to
allow oxygen circulation.
- Purpose: maintain conditions suitable for a newborn, usually a pre-term babies

D. MOSQUITO OVICIDAL/LARVICIDAL TRAP SYSTEM

➢ In 2010, the Department of Science and technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute
(DOST-ITDI) was able to introduce the Mosquito Ovicidal/larvicidal trap system, also known as OL
trap. This trap system IS made of natural ingredients that are lethal to mosquito but safe for humans
and the environment.

E. E-JEEPNEY
➢ a major innovation that changed the transportation industry in the Philippines
➢ the diesel-powered jeepney produces large quantities of black smoke and is usually a major
contributor of noise pollution due to its primitive exhaust system.
➢ To counter these disadvantages, the e-jeepney was developed. This modern type of vehicle utilizes
electricity instead of the more expensive diesel.
➢ It is environment-friendly since it does not emit any smoke and noise.

CHAPTER 2: THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION

As we start, let us define the scientific revolution. From the genesis of time, science has existed. Science is
as old as the world itself. Science can be defined as:

A. Science as an IDEA. This includes ideas, theories, and all available systematic explanations and
observations about the natural and physical world.

B. Science as an INTELLECTUAL ACTIVITY. This encompasses a systematic and practical study of the natural
and physical world. This process of study involves observation and experimentation.

C. Science as a BODY OF KNOWLEDGE. This refers to a subject or a discipline, a field study

Alternatively, a body of knowledge that deals with the process of learning about the natural or physical
world.

Science as a PERSONAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY. This explains that science is both knowledge and activities
done by human beings to develop better.

A. understanding of the world. It is a means to improve and to survive in life.

The scientific revolution is claimed to have started in the early 16th century up to the 18th century in Europe.
Why do we think of Europe? The probable answer is the invention of the printing machine. The blooming
intellectual activities are done in various learning places and the growing number of scholars in various fields
of human interest.

The scientific revolution was the period of enlightenment when the developments in mathematics, physics,
astronomy, biology, and chemistry transformed society's views about nature. It explained the emergence
or birth of modern science due to these developments from the disciplines mentioned.
NICOLAUS COPERNICUS

In early times, people questioned what created days & nights. They wanted to understand what heavenly
bodies like stars, moon and planets are. The invention of the telescope allowed them to peek at the outer
space

Knowledge about the universe's nature had been virtually unchanged since the great days of Ancient Greece
some 1500 years before Copernicus. In the Renaissance period, when Copernicus contributed his philosophy
of science through "thought experiment."

Copernicus' idea and model of the universe were nearly complete in 1510. He worked about the universe
model in which everything moved around a single center at unvarying rates.

Copernicus placed the Sun to be the centerpiece of the universe. This is called the heliocentrism. This
eventually the birth of modern astronomy.

In his model, Copernicus outlined two kinds of planetary motion: (1) the orbits of Venus and Mercury lay
inside the orbit of the Earth, thus, closer to the Sun; and (2) the orbits of Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter lay
outside the Earth's orbit, thus, further from the Sun. From this model, he would work on the length of time
it will take for each planet to orbit once around the Sun. He placed the planets in order of increasing distance
from the Sun.

Although the Copernican model makes sense now, during those times, it was judged to be heretic or religious
outcast since it was unacceptable to be taught to Catholics.

CHARLES DARWIN

Charles Darwin is famous for his theory of evolution. He changed our concept of the world’s creation and its
evolution. According to Johnson (2012), he describes Darwin as a genius who came from a line of an
intellectually gifted and wealthy family. He struggled in his study in medicine and ministry. Darwin’s life
soon changed when one of his professors recommended him to join a five-year voyage through the HMS
Beagle on the Islands of Galapagos.

Darwin published his book The Origin of Species in 1589.

This book is considered to be one of the essential works in the scientific literature. Darwin collected many
significant materials in order to present his theory with overwhelming evidence. His book presented evidence
on how species evolved around time and presented traits and adaptation that differentiated specie. Darwin’s
observational skills as a scientist were extraordinary that moved beyond the realms of plants and animals
into the realms of humans.

His book The Descent of Man was so impressive yet very controversial. He introduced the idea of all organic
life, including human beings, under the realm of evolutionary thinking. This replaced the dominant views of
a religious or biblical design that places human beings in a privileged position of having been created by
God.

Darwin genuinely remarkable was his courage to challenge religious and unscientific ideas deemed
prominent during those days. It is a science marked by observation and experiment.

SIGMUND FREUD

Freud is famous in the field of psychology. Rosenfels (1980) also described him as a towering literature
figure and a very talented communicator who did his share the civilized world's consciousness in
psychological matters. Freud made a significant contribution to the scientific world by developing an
essential observational method to gather reliable data to study humans' inner lives. This method is popularly
known as the method of psychoanalysis. This method is a scientific way to study the human mind and
neurotic illness.
 CHAPTER 3: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND NATION-
BUILDING
Introduction:

➢ The development of science and technology in the Philippines has already come along way. Many
significant inventions and discoveries have accomplished by or attributed to Filipinos.
➢ There are two factors:
a. Internal Influences
✓ Survival
✓ Culture
✓ Economic Activities
b. External influences
✓ Foreign Colonizers
✓ Trades with Foreign Countries
✓ International Economic Demands

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

➢ use of certain plants and herbs as medicines

➢ implementation of systems of farming and animal raising
➢ development of different modes of transportation (terrestrial and maritime)
➢ rice terraces were built by hand
➢ Incorporation of an irrigation system that uses water from the forest and mountain tops
➢ interpreted the movements of the heavenly bodies to predict seasons and climates
➢ development of tools for everyday use
➢ developed technologies in creating musical instruments
➢ sophisticated designs of jewellery, ceramics and metal tools
➢ trading with China, Indonesia, Japan and other neighbouring countries

COLONIAL PERIOD

A. Spaniards
➢ modern means of construction (walls, roads, bridges and other large infrastructures)
➢ developed health and educations systems
➢ beginning of formal science and technology in the country

B. Americans
➢ Established a government agency, The Bureau of Science.
➢ establishes the public education system
➢ improved engineering works and health of people

➢ established a modern research university (UP)

➢ created more [public hospitals
➢ mineral resources were explored and exploited
➢ transportation and communication were improved
➢ researches were done to control tropical diseases

POST-COLONIAL PERIOD

➢ Continued to pursue programs in science and technology

➢ Ferdinand Marcos- PAGASA, The National Academy of science and Technology, and the national
Science and technology Authority now the DOST
DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

NATIONAL GOALS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

INTERNATIONAL TREATIES POLICIES

PROGRAMS
LEGAL FRAMEWORKS
PROJECTS

SOCIAL NEEDS. ISSUES AND PROBLEMS

FAMOUS FILIPINOS IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE

Ramon Cabanos Barba – tissue culture in Philippine mangoes

Josefino Cacas Comiso – observing the characteristics of Antarctica using satellite images

Jose Bejar Cruz Jr. – known internationally in the field of electrical engineering

Lourdes Jansuy Cruz – research on sea snail venom

Fabian Millar Dayrit – research on herbal medicine

Rafael Dineros Guerrero III – research on tilapia culture

Enrique Mapua Ostrea Jr. – inventing the meconium drugs testing

Lilian Formalejo Patena – research on plant biotechnology

Mari-Jo Panganiban Ruiz – outstanding educator and graph theorist

Gregory Ligot Tangonan – research in the field of communication technology

Ceasar Saloma – physics

Edgardo gomez – marine science

Willaim Padolinoa – chemistry

Angel Alcala – marine science

CHAPTER 4: HUMAN FLOURISHING in Science and

Technology
Introduction:

➢ The progress of human civilization throughout history mirrors the development of Science and
Technology. The human person, as both the bearer and beneficiary of science and technology,
flourishes and finds the meaning in the world that he/she builds.
➢ In the person’s pursuit of the good life, he/she may unconsciously acquire, consume or destroy what
the world has to offer.
➢ It is necessary to reflect on the things that truly matter.
➢ Science and technology must be taken as part of human life that merits reflective and – as the
German philosopher, Martin Heidegger says – meditative thinking.
➢ To be able to appreciate the fruits of science and technology, they must be examined not only for
their function and instrumentality but also for their greater impact on humanity as a whole
➢ Various gadgets, medicines, appliances and vehicles are tools that make human lives easier because
they serve as a means to an end.
 ➢ Their utility lies on providing people with a certain good, convenience or knowledge.

MARTIN HEIDEGGER (1889 - 1976) was a 20th Century German philosopher. He was one of the most
original and important philosophers of the 20th Century, but also one of the most controversial. His best
known book, "Being and Time", although
The Question Concerning Technology
notoriously difficult, is generally considered to be one
of the most important philosophical
works of the 20th Century. In “The
Question Concerning Technology,”
Martin Heidegger discusses the essence of
technology.

“The essence of technology is by no

means anything technological.”

➢ We can use technical devices, and yet

with the proper use also keep
ourselves so free of them, that we may let go of them anytime....We can affirm the unavoidable use
of technical devices and also deny them the right to dominate us, and so to warp, confuse and lay
waste our nature........

Human Flourishing in Science and Technology

➢ “The poetic roots of technology have been obscured by mechanization that has compelled us to
harness nature’s energy into an accumulated heterogeneous reserve that conceals the true nature
of things. The solution is to question and confront technology through its forgotten roots in the arts.”

QUESTIONING AS THE PIETY OF THOUGHT

➢ In this stepping back and taking stock of things, we begin to wonder and question.
➢ One may admire the intricacy of mechanisms and the sophistication of mobile applications.
➢ There is so much wealth of insights that can be gathered when people stop, think and question
➢ Questioning is the piety or virtue of thought.
➢ According to Heidegger, however, piety means obedience and submission.
➢ In addressing what technology has brought forth, one cannot help but submissive to what his/her
thoughts and reflections.
➢ Thinking brings forth insights that the mind has not yet fully understood or developed.
➢ There are times when one’s thinking brings forth eureka moment.
➢ Whatever understanding is found becomes significant because it is evoked by questioning who
or what we essentially are in the world.

WHAT IS TECHNOLOGY?

TECHNOLOGY AS A MODE OF REVEALING:

➢ Based on Martin Heidegger’s work, “the question of Technology”: he urges us to questions

technology.
o The essence of a thing is considered to be what the thing is.
o We ask the question concerning technology when we ask what it is.
➢ Technology defined as
➢ instrumental – a means to an end
- The manufacture and utilization of equipment, tools and machines=technology
is contrivance – in Latin, instramentum.
o anthropological – a human activity
➢ To imagine ends and procure and utilize the means, to them is a human activity.
➢ definition is correct but not necessarily true
➢ the “true” entails so much more meaning and significance.
➢ The experience and understanding of what is correct lead us to what is true.
➢ Heidegger urged people to envision technology as a mode of revealing as it shows so much more
about the human person and the world.
➢ Technology is a way of bringing forth
➢ Considering technology as a mode of revealing, then truth is brought forth.
 ➢ Example, the truth that the Earth is weeping could be revealed by the information and data
taken by modern devices. Whatever truth is uncovered, it will be something more meaningful
and significant or practical use of technology.
➢ Heidegger also put forward the ancient Greek concepts of aletheia, poeisis & techne.
➢ Aletheia means unhiddenness or disclosure
➢ Poeisis is defined as bringing forth
➢ As for Aristotle, it means making or producing something for a purpose
➢ It is a means of bringing forth something.
➢ Technology is a poiesis that discloses or reveals the truth
➢ Example: cellphone
➢ Techne means skill, art or craft.

TECHNOLOGY AS POIESIS or REVEALS THE TRUTH: APPLICABLE TO MODERN TECHNOLOGY?

➢ Heidegger characterizes modern technology as a challenging forth since it is very aggressive in its
activity.
➢ Modern technology may also be a mode of revealing but not as the harmonious bringing forth that
is described.
➢ Wherein, modern technology challenges nature and demands of it resources that are, most of the
time, forcibly extracted for human consumption and storage.
➢ It brings about a “setting upon” of the land.
➢ Mining is an example of modern technology that challenges forth and brings about the setting
upon of land.
➢ It extracts minerals from the earth and forcefully assigns the land as a means to fulfill the
never-ending demands of people.
➢ With modern technology, revealing never comes to an end. The revealing always happens on our
own terms as everything is on demand.
➢ Example: information at our fingertips, food harvested even out of season, gravity dared to fly off to
space.
➢ We order nature and extract, process, make ready for consumption and store what we have forced
it to reveal.

ENFRAMING: WAY OF REVEALING IN MODERN TECHNOLOGY

➢ This enframing that challenges forth and sets upon nature is a way of looking at reality.
➢ It is as if nature is put in a box or in a frame so that it can be better understood and controlled
according to people’s desires.
➢ Poiesis is concealed in enframing as nature is viewed as an orderable and calculable system of
information
➢ According to Heidegger, calculative thinking is one orders and puts a system to nature so it can
be understood better and controlled. Meditative thinking, one lets nature reveal itself to him/her
without forcing it.
➢ Enframing is done because people want security, even if the ordering that happens in enframing is
violent and even if the Earth is made as a big gasoline station from which we extract, stockpile and
put in standing-reserve, ready to be used as we see fit.

HUMAN PERSON SWALLOWED BY TECHNOLOGY

➢ Though it is true that the individual takes part in the revealing of nature, limits must still be
recognized.
➢ Human do not really call the shots on this Earth.
➢ If we allow ourselves to get swallowed by modern technology, we lose the essence of who we are as
beings in this world.
➢ Basis that we swallowed by technology:
➢ If we are constantly plugged online and no longer have the capacity for authentic personal
encounter, then we are truly swallowed by the modern technology
➢ If we cannot let go of the conveniences and profit brought about by processes and industries
that pollute the environment and cause climate change, then technology has consumed our
humanity.
➢ Heidegger further asserted that the, “The essence of technology is by no means anything
technological.”
➢ The essence of technology is not found in the instrumentality and function of machines
constructed but the significance such technology unfolds.
ART AS A WAY OF ENFRAMING

➢ ENFRAMING, as the mode of revealing in modern technology tends to block poeisis.

➢ The poetry that is found in nature can no longer be easily appreciated when nature is enframed. If
the Earth has just become as a gas station for us, then we have become enframed as well.
➢ In modern technology, the way of revealing is no longer poetic, it is challenging
➢ Heidegger proposes art as a way out of this enframing. With art, we are better able to see the poetic
in nature in reality. It leads us away from calculative thinking and towards meditative thinking.
Through meditative thinking, we will recognize that nature is art par excellence.
➢ When meditatively looking at technology, one will begin to question its significance in his/her life
more than in its instrumental use.
➢ Technology is normally thought of as that which solves problem, but Heidegger asserted that it is
something that must be questioned.
➢ The calculative thinking in which we perceive nature in a technical and scientific manner is becoming
more important in the modern world.
➢ On the other hand, it is meditative thinking that provides a way for us to remain rooted in the essence
of who we are. It grounds us so as not to let our technological devices affect our real core and warp
our nature.
➢ Aristotle’s four causes of mechanical:
o The causa materialis, the material, the matter out of which, for example, a silver chalice is
made
o Causa formalis, the form, the shape into which the material enters
o Causa finalis, the end, the sacrificial rite in relation to which the chalice rewuired is determined
as to its form and matter.
o Causa efficiens, which brings about the effect that is the finished, actual chalice on this
instance, the silversmith
➢ What technology is, when represented as a means, discloses itself when we trace
instrumentality back to fourfold casuality.

CHAPTER 5: HUMAN FLOURISHING as REFLECTED in

PROGRESS & DEVELOPMENT
Introduction:

How do we know that we are progressing? What are the indicators of development?

➢ development is equated with growth and greater consumption

➢ The more that a population is able to consume, the wealthier it is. Likewise, the more that a person
is able to buy stuff, the higher/she is on the development scale.

➢ The planet is already overburdened with human activities.

➢ It is about time that we re-think our standards of development if we truly want to live the good life

➢ Jason Hickel, an anthropologist, challenges us to rethink and reflect on a paradigm of “de-

development”

➢ Growth isn’t an option any more–we’ve already grown too much. Scientists are now telling us that
we’re blowing past planetary boundaries at breakneck speed. The hard truth is that this global crisis
is due almost entirely to overconsumption in rich countries. Rich countries must “catch down” to
more appropriate levels of development.

Article: FORGET “DEVELOPING” POOR COUNTRIES, IT’S TIME TO “DE-DEVELOPING” RICH

COUNTRIES

Heads of state are gathering in New York to sign the UN’s new sustainable development goals (SDGs). The
main objective is to eradicate poverty by 2030. Beyoncé, One Direction and Malala are on board. It’s set to
be a monumental international celebration.
Given all the fanfare, one might think the SDGs are about to offer a fresh plan for how to save the world,
but beneath all the hype, it’s business as usual. The main strategy for eradicating poverty is the same:
growth.

Growth has been the main object of development for the past 70 years, despite the fact that it’s not working.
Since 1980, the global economy has grown by 380%, but the number of people living in poverty on less
than $5 (£3.20) a day has increased by more than 1.1 billion. That’s 17 times the population of Britain. So
much for the trickle-down effect.

Orthodox economists insist that all we need is yet more growth. More progressive types tell us that we need
to shift some of the yields of growth from the richer segments of the population to the poorer ones, evening
things out a bit. Neither approach is adequate. Why? Because even at current levels of average global
consumption, we’re overshooting our planet’s bio-capacity by more than 50%each year.

In other words, growth isn’t an option any more – we’ve already grown too much. Scientists are now telling
us that we’re blowing past planetary boundaries at breakneck speed. And the hard truth is that this global
crisis is due almost entirely to overconsumption in rich countries.

Right now, our planet only has enough resources for each of us to consume 1.8 “global hectares” annually
– a standardized unit that measures resource use and waste. This figure is roughly what the average person
in Ghana or Guatemala consumes. By contrast, people in the US and Canada consumes about 8 hectares
per person, while Europeans consume 4.7 hectares – many times their fair share.

What does this mean for our theory of development? Economist Peter Edward argues that instead of pushing
poorer countries to “catch up” with rich ones, we should be thinking of ways to get rich countries to “catch
down” to more appropriate levels of development. We should look at societies where people live long and
happy lives at relatively low levels of income and consumption not as basket cases that need to be developed
towards western models, but as exemplars of efficient living.

How much do we really need to live long and happy lives? In the US, life expectancy is 79 years and GDP
per capita is $53,000. But many countries have achieved similar life expectancy with a mere fraction of this
income. Cuba has a comparable life expectancy to the US and one of the highest literacy rates in the world
with GDP per capita of only $6,000 and consumption of only 1.9 hectares – right at the threshold of
ecological sustainability. Similar claims can be made of Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Tunisia.

Yes, some of the excess income and consumption we see in the rich world yields improvements in quality
of life that are not captured by life expectancy, or even literacy rates. But even if we look at measures of
overall happiness and wellbeing in addition to life expectancy, a number of low- and middle-income countries
rank highly. Costa Rica manages to sustain one of the highest happiness indicators and life expectancies in
the world with a per capita income one-fourth that of the US.

In light of this, perhaps we should regard such countries not as underdeveloped, but rather as appropriately
developed. And maybe we need to start calling on rich countries to justify their excesses.

The idea of “de-developing” rich countries might prove to be a strong rallying cry in the global south, but it
will be tricky to sell to westerners. Tricky, but not impossible. According to recent consumer research, 70%
of people in middle- and high-income countries believe overconsumption is putting our planet and society
at risk. A similar majority also believe we should strive to buy and own less, and that doing so would not
compromise our happiness. People sense there is something wrong with the dominant model of economic
progress and they are hungry for an alternative narrative.

The problem is that the pundits promoting this kind of transition are using the wrong language. They use
terms such as de-growth, zero growth or – worst of all – de-development, which are technically accurate
but off-putting for anyone who’s not already on board. Such terms are repulsive because they run against
the deepest frames we use to think about human progress, and, indeed, the purpose of life itself. It’s like
asking people to stop moving positively thorough life, to stop learning, improving, growing.

Negative formulations won’t get us anywhere. The idea of “steady-state” economics is a step in the right
direction and is growing in popularity, but it still doesn’t get the framing right. We need to reorient ourselves
toward a positive future, a truer form of progress. One that is geared towards quality instead of quantity.
One that is more sophisticated than just accumulating ever increasing amounts of stuff, which doesn’t make
anyone happier anyway. What is certain is that GDP as a measure is not going to get us there and we need
to get rid of it.

Perhaps we might take a cue from Latin Americans, who are organizing alternative visions around the
indigenous concept of buen vivir, or good living. The west has its own tradition of reflection on the good
life and it’s time we revive it. Robert and Edward Skidelsky take us down this road in his book How Much is
Enough? Where they lay out the possibility of interventions such as banning advertising, a shorter working
week and a basic income, all of which would improve our lives while reducing consumption.

Either we slow down voluntarily or climate change will do it for us. We can’t go on ignoring the laws of
nature. But rethinking our theory of progress is not only an ecological imperative, it is also a development
one. If we do not act soon, all our hard-won gains against poverty will evaporate, as food systems collapse
and mass famine re-emerges to an extent not seen since the 19th century.

This is not about giving anything up. And it’s certainly not about living a life of voluntary misery or imposing
harsh limits on human potential. On the contrary, it’s about reaching a higher level of understanding and
consciousness about what we’re doing here and why.

(Jason Hickel is an anthropologist at the London School of Economics. Follow@jasonhickel on Twitter.)

CHAPTER 6: THE GOOD LIFE

Introduction:

Everyone is in pursuit of the good life. We do certain things because we want to achieve a life which will
make us happy and content.

NICHOMACHEAN ETHICS and MODERN CONCEPTS

➢ Aristotle, an important ancient Greek philosopher whose work spans from natural philosophy to logic
and political theory, attempted to explain what the good is.
➢ “All human activities aim at some good. Every art and human inquiry, and similarly every action and
pursuit, is thought to aim at some good; and for this reason the good has been rightly declared as
that at which all things aim.”
“.....both the many and the cultivated call it happiness, and suppose that living well and doing well
are the same as being happy’
➢ Everyone is moving towards the good.
➢ The good is expressed and manifested in many various ways for different persons and
circumstances.
➢ The good life, however, is more than these countless expressions of what is good. It is
characterized by happiness that springs from living and doing well.
➢ The ancient Greeks called this concept as “living well and doing well”,
➢ EUDAIMONIA derived from two Greek words, “eu” meaning “good” & “daimon” meaning “spirit”.
Generally refers to the “good life”, which is marked by “happiness” and “excellence”
➢ a flourishing life filled with meaningful endeavors that empower the human person to be the best
version of himself
➢ According to Aristotle, Happiness is the ultimate end of human action.
➢ Happiness defines a good life; that which comes from living a life of virtue, a life of excellence and
good quality, manifested from the personal to the global scale.
➢ Virtue plays a significant role in the living and attainment of the good life. It is the constant practice
of the good no matter how difficult the circumstances may be. Virtue is the excellence of character
that empowers one to do and be good.
 CHAPTER 7: When Technology and Humanity Cross
Introduction:

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

United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN

RIGHTS (UDHR) on December 10, 1948

➢ “whereas recognition of the inherit dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of
the human life is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”
o As implied, everyone has absolute moral worth by virtue of being human.
➢ The global standard of fundamental human rights for universal recognition and protection.
➢ Human dignity is an ultimate core value of our existence.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

➢ First article states the essential principle of being human in a just, free and rational society
➢ Everyone is born free and equal in dignity and rights
➢ The first seven articles of the UDHR:
Article # Description

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
Article 1
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act
towards one another in spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2 Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedom set forth in
this declaration, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion,
political, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Article 3 Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4 No one shall be held slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave
trade shall be prohibited in all their forms

Article 5 No one shall be subjective to torture or to cruel, inhuman or

degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6 Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person

before the law

Article 7 All are equal before the law and are entitled without any
discrimination to equal protection of the law.

Human vs robotics

➢ The rise of the machines accompanying the progress in science and technology may render human
useless.
➢ Manual labor is gradually being replaced by machinery
➢ Example
o Computer become more and more sophisticated
o Robots usually designed like human beings, are created to perform complex, repetitive or
dangerous tasks. With the development of artificial intelligence (AI) robots may
eventually act and decide like human
➢ Unemployment is only one of the many ethical consideration.
Why the future does not need us?

➢ Bill Joy – Chief scientist and Corporate Executive Officer of Sun Microsystems
o Our most powerful 21st century technologies, genetics, nanotech, and robotics (GNR), are
threatening to make humans an endangered species. This possible extinction of the species
may largely come about due to the unreflective and unquestioning acceptance of new
technologies by humans
o Human should have learned the lesson in the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 that killed over a hundred thousand people
➢ J. Robert Oppenheimer, brought this deadly nuclear weapon.
o One of the success of science and technology but brought a fatal reminder of its destructive
power.
➢ GNR is accessible to small groups and individuals and does not require funding and facilities
➢ This makes GNR prone to accidents and abuses.
➢ Science and Technology may be the highest expression of human rationality.
o Since people are able to shape or destroy the world.
o Human nature may be corrupted when the powers of our mind, our rationality and our science
and technology become manifest.
o Due to vanity and arrogance that such powers unleash, then we are on the way to destroying
the world.