Technology and Society 1.

Introduction
Important news makers (1986 Union Carbide, Nuclear bomb detonation,withdrawl of life support system, cable network system) Global Warming Pollution Nuclear weapons GM foods Automation Internet

2.Leading Concerns of People and Governments

Military Power Economic Strength Medical Well-being

3.Economic Strength
Industrialization has led to increase in productivity and improved standards of living Industrial and technology based corporations are reported to have more revenues than nontechnology corporations High technology goods are a major source of income for technologically advanced countries Technology is a major ecnomic competitive factor

4. Military Power
WWII outcomes largely determined by science and technology superiority of US and Allies More than 50% of budget spent on military technology and R & D Countries possessing superior military technology are also politically more powerful

5. Medical Well Being

Advances in diagnostics and surgery Vaccines, therapeutic drugs, prosthetic devices, rehabilitative apparatus Reduction in mortality rates, increased longetivity

6. A number of difficult social issues

More spending on arms and weapons than developmental activites Prioritization of resource allocation for different sectors of development, education, industry, health and infrastructure Equitable distributon of science and technology benefits to all members of society

7.Important human successes in science and technology

Landing on moon Vaccines, antibiotics Genetics Transportation Communication technology, computers, internet Green revolution Robotics and automation

8. Important Human Failures in Science and Technology

Bhopal Gas Disaster Chernobyl disaster Challenger space shuttle disaster Plane crashes Oil spills Extensive use of pesticides Global warming and environmental degradation Uninformed drug trials Pollution

9. Threats to Human Survival

Nuclear weapons Chemical and biological warfare Toxic bi-products of manufacturing and energy generation Above issues need to be urgently discussed and prevented

10. Disparities in Human Well-being

There is an ever widening gap in material affluence of developed and underdeveloped countries. Technology can be used to reduce the gap and bring about more inclusive growth.

11. Social Conflicts

Should we continue with traditional agricultural practices or insist on modern mechanized agricultural practices? Research on surplus ebmryos Use of laboratory animals in medicals research Love Canal Incident, Karen Ann Quinlan Case, Baby Jane Doe case

12. Social Roles of Science A. Combatting Irrationality

Skeptical towards traditional knowledge claims based on myth and superstition To remove narcissist tendencies To combat claims to inherent racial, sexual and ethnic superiority

B. Pre-eminant source of cognitive authority

Earlier society turned to sacred books, religious sages for assistance in important disputes but now they are increasingly turning to science for help. Examples: Galileo, Ram Setu, Definition of life (Is fetus a person?), paternity tests. Scientists are called the high Priests of 21st Century.

14. Social Role of Technology

Sustaining private corporation (profits, patents) Source of personal Identity Social integration and stratification (political awareness, common value orientation, similar consumption practices)