BS AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY

NSCI 112 – Science Technology and Society

Student Name:
La Madrid, John Blaise B.

Date Submitted:
22 February 2024
 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF STS

The historical evolution of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is a journey, marked by the
convergence of various disciplines and the contributions of countless researchers. This journey is varied
and characterized by the convergence of these disciplines. One of the most significant moments in the
development of STS can be traced back to the middle of the 20th century. It was during this time that the
work of Robert K. Merton, a renowned sociologist, had a significant impact on the general direction that this
multidisciplinary area would take. Merton's key contributions to the sociology of science established a
robust framework for comprehending the intricate relationships between scientific knowledge, technical
progress, and societal dynamics. These contributions were recognized as ground-breaking in the field.

In his seminal works, such as "Science, Technology and

Society in Seventeenth Century England," Merton explored
the historical and sociological aspects of science and
technology, illuminating the ways in which these scientific and
technological fields are influenced by social structures, cultural
norms, and institutional arrangements. One of his most
important ideas, which he referred to as the "Matthew effect,"
was a description of the phenomena in which eminent
scientists acquire excessive recognition and resources, which
further enhances their standing and influence within the
scientific community. The social components that are inherent
in the production and transmission of scientific information
were brought to light by this concept, which shed light on the
dynamics of scientific reputation and the accumulation of
scientific capital.

Robert K. Merton
 Furthermore, Merton's investigation of the "norms of science," which included the principles of
universalism, communalism, disinterestedness, and organized skepticism, provided the reader with vital
insights into the epistemic and ethical foundations of scientific research. Not only do these standards
control the conduct of scientists, but they also have an impact on how society reacts to and makes use of
scientific discoveries and technological advancements. Through his elucidation of the social norms and
values that serve as the foundation for scientific practices, Merton brought attention to the interdependence
that exists between science, technology, and society. He also emphasized the importance of
multidisciplinary approaches in order to fully comprehend the intricate relationships that exist between
these three fields.

Scholars from a wide range of fields, such as sociology, history, philosophy, anthropology, and science
studies, were inspired to work together and participate in critical conversation as a result of Merton's
groundbreaking work, which was the catalyst for the birth of STS as a distinct field of inquiry. His long
legacy continues to motivate successive generations of scholars to investigate the social, political,
economic, and cultural aspects of science and technology, therefore enhancing our comprehension of the
significant effects that these fields have on modern society. For the purpose of fostering informed decision-
making for the welfare of mankind, we understand that the study of STS is not only an academic endeavor
but rather an essential instrument for navigating the intricacies of our digitally mediated environment. This
is something that we recognize through the lens of Merton.

 KEY CONCEPTS

a. How technology can shape society (technological determinism)

- There is a notion known as technological determinism that asserts technology is the major factor
that drives societal change. In accordance with this point of view, technical improvements have a
deterministic influence on the formation of social, cultural, political, and economic structures and
behaviors. Those who subscribe to the theory of technological determinism contend that technical
advancements include inherent qualities and affordances that drive societal development, which
frequently results in unexpected consequences. The idea behind this perspective is that societies
will inevitably adjust to and be molded by the technologies that they develop. This can
occasionally lead to significant changes in the power dynamics, modes of communication, labor
practices, and routines that people engage in on a daily basis. Technical determinism, on the
other hand, has its detractors who argue that it oversimplifies the intricate relationship that exists
between technology and society. They argue that it ignores the part that human agency, social
institutions, and cultural settings play in determining the course of technical development and the
effects it has on society.

b. How society shapes technology (social construction of technology)

- An alternate viewpoint to technological determinism is provided by the social construction of

technology (SCOT) paradigm. This framework places an emphasis on the socio-cultural
processes that are responsible for the creation, adaptation, and interpretation of technologies
within particular social settings. Those who subscribe to the Supreme Court of the United States
theory contend that technologies are not fundamentally predetermined but rather are artifacts that
are socially produced and reflect the values, interests, and power dynamics of the civilizations in
 which they originate. According to this point of view, the evolution of technology is impacted by a
wide range of social factors, such as the preferences of users, cultural norms, political objectives,
economic incentives, and institutional arrangements. The Supreme Court of the United States
emphasizes the significance of having an awareness of the social processes, debates, and power
struggles that are responsible for shaping the design, implementation, and utilization of
technologies. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOT) offers important insights into the
ways in which societal values and objectives influence technology innovation and adoption by
conducting an analysis of the various interpretations and competing meanings that are assigned to
technologies by various social groupings.

c. How networks of people and things work together (actor-network theory).

- Actor-Network Theory (ANT) is a relational method to explaining the dynamics of technology

progress and societal change. It does this by concentrating on the interactions and relationships
that occur between human and non-human actors inside networks. Through the conceptualization
of subjects and objects as "actants" who take part in the formation of socio-technical networks,
ANT questions the conventional distinctions that have been made between subjects and objects,
as well as between human and non-human entities. According to the Automated Neural Network
Theory (ANT), technologies, humans, organizations, institutions, and other elements are
considered as interconnected nodes within complex assemblages or networks. These nodes
coalesce and evolve through processes of translation, negotiation, and stabilization. The agency
of non-human actors, such as computers, algorithms, and infrastructures, in molding collective
behavior and affecting social practices is emphasized by the concept of artificial neural networks
(ANT). The analysis of networks (ANT) provides insights into the process by which socio-technical
systems arise, stabilize, and undergo modification throughout time. This is accomplished by
tracing the flows of activity, information, and power across diverse networks. The emphasis that
ANT places on the dynamic interaction between human and non-human actors offers a
comprehensive analytical framework that may be utilized for the purpose of investigating the
distributed nature of agency as well as the co-construction of technology and society.