“General Concepts and Historical Developments of Science, Technology, and Society.

”
Grashiel Garcia and Mark Stevyn Tan

A. INTRODUCTION

Gabby: A pleasant morning to everyone. I am Grashiel Garcia with my co-presenter, Mark

Steven Tan. We are delighted to welcome you to our first lesson for today, Chapter One: The
General Concepts and Historical Developments of Science, Technology, and Society.

OPENING SECTION

Gabby: So let’s recall what we know. To start with of course, Human beings have embarked in
scientific activities in order to know and understand everything around them. They have
persistently observed and studied the natural and the physical world in order to find meanings
and seek answers to many questions. They have developed noble ideas, later known as
philosophy, to provide alternative or possible explanations to certain phenomena. Humans
also used religion to rationalize the origins of life and all lifeless forms.

This statement reflects the innate human desire to unravel the mysteries of the universe,
comprehend natural processes, and gain a deeper understanding of the various aspects of
existence. Scientific activities encompass a wide range of disciplines, including physics,
chemistry, biology, astronomy, and more, each contributing to our collective knowledge and
expanding the boundaries of human understanding.

LESSON 1

Gabby: Let’s continue to Lesson 1: Understanding Science and the Scientific Revolution.

THE CONCEPT OF SCIENCE

Gabby: There is no individual that can exactly identify when and where science began. From
the genesis of time, science coexisted with human and nature. It started when humans began to
ask questions about the environment and observe everything about nature and its activities.
Literature defines science in various ways. According to Pawilen, Science is an organized body
of knowledge, wisdom, and experiences concerning the natural and physical world, this
conception has evolved to include attitudes, processes, and skills through which science
as a body of knowledge is formed.

Gribbin, from a historical perspective, also defines science as 'an intellectual as well as a social
activity carried out by humans in their pursuit to
have a better understanding of the natural world."

Other scholars like Lind also define science as a process of finding out and a system for
organizing and reporting discoveries.

HOW CAN SCIENCE BE DEFINED?

Gabby: Science is as old as the world itself. From the genesis of time, science has existed. It is
always interwoven with the society. So, how can science be defined?

1. It is an idea. It comprises with ideas, beliefs, theories, and all systematic reasons, and
observations on the natural and physical world.
2. It is a personal and social activity. It includes activities of humans to acquire better
understanding of the world.
3. It is a course or field of study. It is a subject in basic education, or a study that deals with
the process of teaching and learning. It is also known as school science.
4. It is an intellectual activity. It incorporates a methodical and applied study involving
experimentation and observations.

The different characterizations and definitions of science mentioned in this lesson suggest
that public understanding of science and scientific ideas is influenced by their experiences and
observations. Their desire to survive, coexist with nature, and their curiosity to study the
activities of nature inspire them to develop science ideas that soon evolved into the different
branches and fields of science.
SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION

Stevyn: Scientific revolutions is an era of enlightenment and intellectualization that

nurtured the developments in the fields of mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology, and
chemistry that changed the observations of society about the environment. It modernizes the
understanding and practices of science and gives birth to the scientific processes and
experimentations. The science knowledge and practices produced during this period
empowered the people to reflect deeper, assess and reexamine their beliefs and their way of
life.

Scientific revolution is asserted to have commenced in the early 16th century up to the 18th
century in Europe. This is triggered by the invention of the printing machines that allowed
printing of books and other reading materials

Scientific revolution is a golden age for the people committed to principles of science. It is also a
difficult moment for some scientists who experienced persecution or judgment from religious
institutions that preserved their religious faith and theological ideas. These opposing views
between religion and science, however, did not hamper the spirit of scientists to pursue their
scientific studies.

FIGURE 1

Stevyn: Scientific revolution is very significant in the development of human beings,

transformation of the society, and in the formulation of scientific ideas. It significantly improved
the conduct of scientific investigations, experiments, and observations. In many ways, scientific
revolution transformed the natural world and the world of ideas.

FIGURE 2

Stevyn: The triangle Science, Technology, and Society (STS) represents the interrelationships
between science, technology, and society, as well as how each of these components influences
and is influenced by the others. STS investigates the intricate interactions between scientific
knowledge, technical innovation, and social systems, as well as how these influence one
another across time.

The STS trio's basic premise is that scientific knowledge is affected by social and cultural
influences rather than being impartial or objective. For example, research is frequently
impacted by funding goals, political agendas, and cultural biases.

Similarly, it understands that social and cultural variables influence technological innovations.
Technology is deeply integrated into social processes and has the potential to have a
tremendous impact on society. The Internet and social media have transformed communication,
work, and interaction. However, concerns about privacy, monitoring, and the breakdown of
social standards emerge. The STS triangle calls for a nuanced approach to new technologies,
taking into account their social, cultural, and ethical implications.

Finally, the STS triangle acknowledges that social structures are not static, but rather evolve in
response to breakthroughs in science and technology. As an example, Technological
developments have also resulted in significant changes in the nature of work, with many
positions being mechanized or outsourced to other countries. This has prompted concerns
about job displacement, income inequality, and additional welfare requirements. For example,
individuals are concerned that they will be replaced by artificial intelligence.

The STS triad, recognizing the social, cultural, and dynamic nature of science and technology, is
crucial for informed decision-making and promoting equitable and sustainable technological
innovation.

Both: And that’s all for the first lesson, thank you!