SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY
SUBJECT CODE: GEC 007
TOPIC OR LESSON: WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSSES
WEEK: 8
SUB-TOPIC/S: NONE
OVERVIEW OF THE TOPIC
In this lesson, technological devices will be introduced, the roles they play in the
society and their effects, particularly to the lives of the people will be identified,
and the problems they face will also be examined thoroughly. This lesson aims to
examine human rights in order to uphold such rights in technological ethical
dilemmas.
Are you ready? Prepare your pen and paper and be ready to explore your journey
in learning!
LEARNING
OUTCOMES
After going through this module, you are expected to:
a. Examine human rights in order to uphold such rights in technological
ethical dilemmas
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
a. know the different technological advancements in society.
b. discuss the development of science and technology in the Philippines; and
c. discuss the effects of the interplay between technology and humanity
through the dilemma(s) they face.
ENGAGE
Read the article below entitled “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” by Nicholas Carr.
From the article, write down at least three (3) words that are new to you and use
a dictionary to know their meaning.
Vocabulary Meaning
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Answer the following questions:
1. According to Carr, what is the internet doing to our brains? How?
2. What are some of the other technologies and inventions Carr uses to
describe how the internet has revolutionized our lives?
3. Is Google (or the internet generally) making us stupid?
EXPLORE
In this activity, you will be asked to watch a TED Talk entitled “The ethical
dilemma we face on AI and autonomous tech” by Christine Fox.
Answer the following guide questions:
1. Enumerate ways on how artificial intelligence is used unethically?
2. Should A. I. robots have rights? Explain your answer.
3. Can A.I. even exist in an ethical state?
EXPLAIN
Television sets, Mobile phones, Computers, and Humanity
A number of technological devices can be easily found inside the home,
the most accessible place to anyone. To be more specific, the most common and
most used devices in the field of technology are television sets, mobile phones,
and computers. People all over the world use these technologies every day to
accomplish different purposes.
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Televisions are used mainly as a platform for
advertisements and information dissemination.
It remains to be the most used avenue by
different advertisement companies not only in
the Philippines but also all over the world. It
also serves as a recreational activity and good
stress reliever to most families, specifically to
Filipino families. Television also is a good
platform for different propagandas and
advocacies.
Mobile phones are used primarily for communication. It offers
services like texting and calling. In the past, these were the only
functions of the mobile phone but as technology progressed, there have
been many additional features included on mobile phone such as surfing
the Internet and taking pictures. Additionally, it is very portable and
convenient because it can fit into any space, may it be inside the pocket
or bag.
Computers and laptops, on the other hand, can be
used to surf the Internet and communicate. For a lot of
people, they prefer to do their job using either a personal
computer or a laptop than a mobile phone. Personal
computers or a laptop has wide keyboard, wide screens
and separate keyboards than mobile phones. Lastly, for
the youth and those who love to play different computer
games, personal computers or laptops are really the
better choice because these allow them play with comfort
and convenience.
Ethical Dilemma Faced by these technological advancements
While it is true that these technological devices are useful and beneficial,
the fact remains that there are several dilemmas faced by these “necessities”.
People who are fixated on these technological advancements start
and end their day by using such devices hence making them
unproductive and lazy.
People have the tendency to be unaware of the time because they
are so engrossed with the use of technological device causing them
to experience alienation because they no longer take time to get
out their houses and mingle with other people.
People can easily search the web and go to different websites
without restrictions. This allows them to see, read, or hear things
which are not suitable for their very young age. This makes them
very vulnerable to character change and can greatly affect the way
they view the world and the things around them.
Robotics and Humanity
Another great product of the innovative minds of the people is the robot
which are now widely used. For example, there are so -called service robots that
do specific tasks but focus mainly on assisting their masters in their everyday
tasks.
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Germany was one of the first countries to develop
service robots. As part of the German Federal Ministry of
Education and Research’s “Service Robotics Innovation
Lead Initiative,” it sponsored a collaborative project
called DESIRE (Deutsche Servicerobotik Initiative-
Germany Service Robotics Initiative) which was launched
on October 1, 2005. Some of the expected work to be
performed by DESIRE are the following: (1) “Clear up the
kitchen table” – all objects on top of the kitchen table will
be moved to where they belong; (2) “Fill the dishwasher”
– the dirty dishes will be sorted correctly into the
dishwasher; and (3) “Clear up this room” – all objects
that are not in their proper places will be moved to where
they belong.
Roles played by Robotics
Robots play different roles not only in the
lives of the people but also in the society as a
whole. They are primarily used to ease the
workload of mankind. They were invented to
make life more efficient and less stressful. They
perform complicated activities which human
beings are incapable of doing. On the other hand,
they perform the simplest tasks at home so that
their masters can perform the complex ones
without stressing themselves over the simple
tasks. There are also robots which are made for
pleasure. To be more specific, these types of robots perform activities to
entertain people. They can usually be found in amusement parks or exhibits. In
addition, there are also some robots which were made to serve as toys. They
also perform different activities, but they are usually child friendly.
Ethical Dilemma/s faced by Robotics
Just like any other technological advancements, robotics also faces
different problems and dilemmas. Although the idea is to help people and make
their lives a lot easier than before, it is still not immune to different ethical
dilemmas and possible undesirable outcomes.
Safety
o Who should be held accountable if someone’s safety is
compromised by a robot?
Emotional component
o What if robots become sentient? Should they be granted
robot rights? Should they have their own set of rights to be
upheld, respected, and protected by humans?
Moral and Ethical Issues in Advanced Technology
Individuals and organizations use technology to enhance their daily
operations, be it business, learning, construction, or medical activities.
Advancement in technology does not elicit ethical or moral issues, but it is the
use of technological inventions that raises these issues. Ethical dilemmas arise
when there are competing goods and competing evils.
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Information Technology
o Consumer Privacy and Security
o Data Exploitation
o Voice and Facial Recognition
Genetic Engineering
o In-vitro fertilization
o Genetically modified organisms
Nuclear Technology
o Genetic impairment due to exposure to nuclear emission
Computers and Robots
o Health concerns from prolonged use of computers
o Workers are being replaced by robots
ELABORA
TE
In this activity you will be asked to write a paper on how to reconcile the need
for technology and the dilemmas it faces.
RUBRIC FOR ESSAY
5 4 3 2 COMMENTS
Focus The topic is The topic is The topic is too The topic is not
focused narrowly focused but lacks broad for the clearly defined.
enough for the direction. scope of this
scope of this assignment.
assignment.
Content The paper The paper The paper The paper does
demonstrates demonstrates demonstrates not
that the author that the author, that the demonstrate
fully understands for the most part, author, to a that the author
and has applied understands and certain extent, has fully
concepts learned has applied understands understood and
in the lesson. concepts learned and has applied
in the lesson. applied concepts
concepts learned in the
learned in the lesson.
lesson.
Structur Ties together For the most part, Sometimes ties Does not tie
e information from ties together together together
all sources. No information from information information.
spelling and all sources. from all Unacceptable
grammar mistake Minimal spelling sources. number of
&/or grammar Noticeable spelling and/or
mistakes. spelling & grammar
grammar mistakes.
mistakes.
EVALUAT
E
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In this activity, you will be asked to choose three technologies and give the risks
and the risks it poses with regards to its purpose.
Technology Benefits Risks
REFERENC
ES
Serafica, J. J., Pawilen, G. T., Caslib, B. N., Jr., & Alata, E. P. (2018). Science,
Technology, and Society (1st ed.). Manila: Rex Book Store.
Carr, N. (2020, January 23). Is google making us stupid? Retrieved from
[Link]
stupid/306868/
TEDxTalks. (2017, May 11). The ethical dilemma we face on ai and autonomous
tech | christine fox | tedxmidatlantic. Retrieved from
[Link]
Images:
Television- [Link]
Smartphone - [Link]
Laptop - [Link]
Service Robot-
[Link]
DESIRE Robot - [Link]
ADDITIONAL
MATERIALS
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Prepared By:
EDMUN T. ANDRADE
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