MODULE 1

Definition of Terms
Science- the word came from the Latin "scientia," meaning "knowledge." It refers to the
systematic and
methodical activity of building and organizing knowledge about how the universe behaves
through
observation, experimentation, or both.
According to famous American science historian, John Heilbron (2003), " Modern science is a
discovery
of regularity in nature, enough for natural phenomena to be described by principles and laws.
he also
explained that science required invention to devise techniques, abstractions, apparatuses, and
organizations to describe these natural regularities and their law-like descriptions.
Technology- it is the application of scientific knowledge, laws, and principles to produce
services,
materials, tools, and machines aimed at solving real-world problems. it came from the Greek
word techne, meaning 'art, skill, or cunning of hand.'
Society- is composed of a group of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
Wolpert (2005) made an interesting comparison between science and technology that is helpful
in the
study of their interaction with society, Wolpert explained that reliable scientific knowledge has
no
moral or ethical value. It is meant simply to explain how nature and the universe work and that
the
obligation of the scientists, besides studying the nature of the universe, is to explain the
possible uses
and applications of such scientific knowledge. Along this line, Wolpert made it clear that science
is not
the same as technology. Scientists are not responsible for the application of knowledge in
technology.
He further explained that the very nature of science is that it is not possible to predict scientific
discoveries and how these discoveries may be applied. While scientists are not responsible for
the
reliable conduct of the scientific inquiry and its honest interpretation and dissemination,
technological
applications of science are influenced by other sectors such as politics and governance, religion,
and
business.
Nowadays, advancements in science and technology have become pervasive. They are
manifested in the
activities that humans pursue and the tools they use every day. The beauty of this is that an
advancement builds upon itself. As such, humans today live more productive and more exciting
lives
than their predecessors.
However, the dynamism and immensity of scientific and technological progress also pose
challenges and
drawbacks to the way humans live. The introduction of machines tremendously cut the need for
the
human workforce and gave rise to the questions about whether machines will eventually
replace
humans. The invention of drugs that cured the previously incurable diseases introduced new
strains of
bacteria and viruses that are resistant to the very same drugs that once fought them-take an
antibiotic
resistant strain of gonorrhea as an example. The rise of social media drastically changed the way
humans communicate, interact, and share information; however, this tends to put people's
privacy at
risk. Indeed, science and technology have served a predominantly double-edged function.
As problems in science and technology continue to rise and become more observable, the need
to pay
attention to their interactions with various aspects of human life, e.g. social, political, and
economic,
becomes even more necessary. How the different aspects of society shape and influence the
rogression and further developments of science and technology in the area of concern of a
relatively
new academic discipline called Science, Technology, and Society.
Science and Technology and Society is a relatively young field that previously independent and
older
disciplines, such as the history of science, philosophy of science, and sociology of science. As an
academic field, STS, according to Harvard University's Kennedy School (2018) traces its roots
from the
interwar period and the start of the cold war. It was during the period when historians and
scientists
found interest in the interconnections of scientific knowledge, technological systems, and
society. The
rise of STS as an academic field resulted from the recognition that many schools today do not
really
prepare students to respond critically, reflectively, and proactively to the challenges posed by
science
and technology in the contemporary world.
Summary
In summary, we had discussed the concepts of science, technology, and society. Also, we
mentioned
that STS applies methods from history, philosophy, and sociology to study the nature of
science and
technology and ultimately judge their value and place in society. As an interdisciplinary field,
the
emergence of STS was a result of the question about science and technology's dynamic
interaction with
various aspects of society and was thus viewed as a socially embedded enterprise, Thus, STS
seeks
to bridge the gap between to traditionally exclusive cultures-humanities and natural science-
so that
humans will be able to better confront the moral, ethical, and existential dilemmas brought
about by the
continued developments in science and technology.
What are Ethical Dilemmas?
Ethical/Moral Dilemmas -are situations where persons, who are called "moral agents" in ethics,
are
forced to choose between two or more conflicting options, neither of which resolves the
situation in a
morally acceptable manner.
Three Conditions that must be Present in Moral Dilemmas
1. The person or agent of moral action is obliged to make a decision about which course of
action
is best.
2. There must be different courses of action to choose from.
3. No matter what course of action is taken, some moral principles are always compromised.
Types of Dilemmas
1.
Epistemic and ontological dilemma- In an epistemic dilemma, there are two or more moral
requirements that conflict with each other. the moral agent hardly knows which one takes
precedence over the other. On the other hand, the ontological dilemma has two or more moral
requirements that conflict with each other, yet neither of these conflicting moral
requirements
overrides each other. Neither of the moral requirements is stronger than the other; hence, the
moral agent can hardly choose between the conflicting moral requirements.
2. Self-imposed and world-imposed dilemmas- Self-imposed is caused by the moral agent's
wrongdoings while a world-imposed dilemma posits that certain events in the world place the
moral agent in a situation of moral conflict
. Obligation dilemmas and prohibition dilemmas- Obligation has more than one feasible
action
is obligatory while prohibition dilemmas posit that all feasible actions are forbidden.
4. Single-agent and multi-person dilemmas- Single-agent dilemma "ought all things considered
to
do A, ought, all things considered, to do B, and she cannot do both A and B." On the other
hand, a multi-person dilemma posits that one agent, P1 to do A, a second agent, P2, ought to
do B. and though each agent can do what he ought to do, it is not possible both for P1 to do A
and P2 to do P2.
Ten Emerging Ethical Dilemmas
1.
Helix- a digital app store designed to read genomes.
2.
BlessU-2 Popper- first robot priest and monk
3.
Emotion-Sensing Facial Recognition- a software being developed to assess your reactions to
anything such as shopping and playing games.
4.
Ransomware- a way of holding data hostage through the backing and requiring a ransom to be
paid.
5. Textalyzer- a device that analyzes whether a driver was using his or her phone during an
accident.
6. Social Credit System- a system of scoring citizens through their actions by placing them under
constant surveillance.
7. Google Clips- a hands-free camera that lets the user capture every moment effortlessly.
8. Sentencing Software- a mysterious algorithm designed to and courts in sentencing decisions.
9.
Friendbot- an app that stores the deceased's digital footprint so one can still chat with them.
10. Citizen App- an app that notifies users of ongoing crimes or major events in a specific area.
Even though several items in the list sound unfamiliar to many, it can be a useful springboard in
the
study of science and technology. The list points to the ever-growing challenges, questions, and
issues
that need to be addressed and resolved when science and technology and humanity intertwine.
However, methods of critiquing these emerging ethical dilemmas may come from similar
methods used
in previous critiques of science and technology issues. For example, one can use methods used
in
critiquing the rise of clinical trials of gene therapy in the 1990s. Today's approach of critiquing
emerging
science and technology issues, such as the ones listed above, may be influenced by how
scientists and
non-scientists evaluated the positive and negative purpose, one can continue to specifically
draw from
the tenets of philosophy, and sociology in making informed and critical judgments of the ethical
and
moral values of these innovations in science and technology.
Summary
In modern times, there are different technological advancements in all forms and sizes may it be
inside
the home, the workplace, the learning place, or simply on the streets. It is not completely
impossible for
a person in the world to own at least one technological device. However, despite its usefulness
an
eneficial characteristics, there are still problems faced by technological advancement. To be
more
specific, these problems are ethical in nature that involve not only the machine but also
mankind. It is
not impossible for technology and humanity to cross paths because as one would argue,
technology has
become a necessity for people. At the end of the day, ethics should still be enforced in the field
of
technology so as ensure the safety and morality of these technologies to people.
What is Social Implication?
The social implications of an event or action are the results, on society or part of society, of the
event or
the action. The idea of social implications can also be extended to a law or a policy, that is, a
planned
set of repeated actions.
For further information on the topic, I would like you to first click the link below on " Emerging
Ethical
Dilemmas in Science and Technology and Their Implications."
Link
(Links to an external site.)
The link enumerates examples of dilemmas and their social implications.
1.
Personalized genetic tests/personalized medicine
Within the last 10 years, the creation of fast, low-cost genetic sequencing has given the public
direct
access to genome sequencing and analysis, with little or no guidance from physicians or genetic
counselors on how to process the information. What are the potential privacy issues, and how
do we
protect this very personal and private information? Are we headed toward a new era of
therapeutic
intervention to increase the quality of life or a new era of eugenics?
2.
Hacking into medical devices
Implanted medical devices, such as pacemakers, are susceptible to hackers. Barnaby Jack, of
security
vendor IOActive, recently demonstrated the vulnerability of a pacemaker by breaching the
security of
the wireless device from his laptop and reprogramming it to deliver an 830-volt shock. How do
we make
sure these devices are secure?
3.
Driverless Zipcars
In three states -- Nevada, Florida, and California -- it is now legal for Google to operate its
driverless cars.
Google's goal is to create a fully automated vehicle that is safer and more effective than a
human
operated vehicle, and the company plans to marry this idea with the concept of the Zipcar. The
ethics of
automation and equality of access for people of different income levels are just a taste of the
difficult
ethical, legal, and policy questions that will need to be addressed.
4. 3-D printing
Scientists are attempting to use 3-D printing to create everything from architectural models to
human
organs, but we could be looking at a future in which we can print personalized pharmaceuticals
or
home-printed guns and explosives. For now, 3-D printing is largely the realm of artists and
designers, but
we can easily envision a future in which 3-D printers are affordable and patterns abound for
products
both benign and malicious, and that cut out the manufacturing sector completely.
5. Adaptation to climate change
he differential susceptibility of people around the world to climate change warrants an ethical
discussion. We need to identify effective and safe ways to help people deal with the effects of
climate
change, as well as learn to manage and manipulate wild species and nature in order to preserve
biodiversity. Some of these adaptation strategies might be highly technical (e.g. building sea
walls to
stem off sea-level rise), but others are social and cultural (e.g., changing agricultural practices).
6.
Low-quality and counterfeit pharmaceuticals
Until recently, detecting low-quality and counterfeit pharmaceuticals required access to
complex testing
equipment, often unavailable in developing countries where these problems abound. The
enormous
amount of trade in pharmaceutical intermediaries and active ingredients raise a number of
issues, from
the technical (improvement in manufacturing practices and analytical capabilities) to the ethical
and
legal (for example, India ruled in favor of manufacturing life-saving drugs, even if it violates U.S.
patent
law).
7. Autonomous systems
Machines (both for peaceful purposes and for warfighting) are increasingly evolving from
human
controlled to automated, to autonomous, with the ability to act on their own without human
input. As
these systems operate without human control and are designed to function and make decisions
on their
own, the ethical, legal, social and policy implications have grown exponentially. Who is
responsible for
the actions undertaken by autonomous systems? If robotic technology can potentially reduce
the
number of human fatalities, is it the responsibility of scientists to design these systems?
8. Human-animal hybrids (chimeras)
So far scientists have kept human-animal hybrids on the cellular level. According to some, even
more,
modest experiments involving animal embryos and human stem cells violate human dignity and
blur the
line between species. Is interspecies research the next frontier in understanding humanity and
curing
disease, or a slippery slope, rife with ethical dilemmas, toward creating new species?
9. Ensuring access to wireless and spectrum
Mobile wireless connectivity is having a profound effect on society in both developed and
developing
countries. These technologies are completely transforming how we communicate, conduct
business,
learn, form relationships, navigate, and entertain ourselves. At the same time, government
agencies
increasingly rely on the radio spectrum for their critical missions. This confluence of wireless
technology
developments and societal needs presents numerous challenges and opportunities for making
the most
effective use of the radio spectrum. We now need to have a policy conversation about how to
make the
most effective use of the precious radio spectrum, and to close the digital access divide for
underserved
(rural, low-income, developing areas) populations.
10. Data collection and privacy
How often do we consider the massive amounts of data we give to commercial entities when
we use
social media, store discount cards, or order goods via the Internet? Now that microprocessors
and
permanent memory are inexpensive technology, we need to think about the kinds of
information that
should be collected and retained. Should we create a diabetic insulin implant that could notify
your
doctor or insurance company when you make poor diet choices, and should that decision make
youneligible for certain types of medical treatment? Should cars be equipped to monitor speed
and other
measures of good driving, and should this data be subpoenaed by authorities following a crash?
These
issues require appropriate policy discussions in order to bridge the gap between data collection
and
meaningful outcomes.
11. Human enhancements
Pharmaceutical, surgical, mechanical, and neurological enhancements are already available for
therapeutic purposes. But these same enhancements can be used to magnify human biological
function
beyond the societal norm. Where do we draw the line between therapy and enhancement?
How do we
justify enhancing human bodies when so many individuals still lack access to basic therapeutic
medicine?
Summary
Technologies are indeed an inevitable part of one's life, society, and other stakeholders. It
makes life
easier and more convenient than ever before. It can clearly be seen from the simplest task at
home to
the most complicated ones inside the office or laboratory. As time progresses, technology keeps
also on
progressing resulting in more complicated advancements and discoveries in science and
technology.
However, it is essential to note that anything too much is bad. The same problem is faced by
technology.
Although it has been very helpful to people, various social implications have been considered
that needs
to be addressed by the stakeholders in order to safeguard the life of individuals as well as
society.
One of the key interests of STS as an academic field is the history of science and technology. As
a strand
of STS, the history of science and technology focuses on how science and technology have
changed
across time. Also, it explores the impacts of scientific and technological innovations on the
prevailing
social, cultural, political, and economic contexts throughout history. Conversely, it also pays
attention
to the conditions that shaped science and technology. Quite often, interests lie in historical
antecedents
of scientific and technological innovations.
What is Antecedent?
Antecedent- it is defined as a precursor to the unfolding or existence of something.
Thus, historical antecedents in science and technology are factors that paved the way for the
presence
of advanced and sophisticated scientific and technological innovations today. Knowledge of
the history
of science and technology in use in appraising these innovations today. By understanding how
previous
generations influenced and were influenced can come up with informed decisions on the proper
application of science and technology to daily life.
Some Inventions During Ancient Times
1. Ancient Wheel- People from ancient civilizations used animals for transportation long before
the invention of the wheel. No one knows who exactly invented the wheel and when. There is,
however, a general agreement that the ancient wheel grew out of a mechanical device called
the potter's wheel- a heavy flat disk made up of hardened clay which was spun horizontally on
an axis. The invention of the wheel is often credited to the Sumerians since no other ancient
civilization used a similar device at the time. Today, cars, carts, bicycles, and trucks are just some
of the many offshoots of the wheels invented by the Sumerians.
. Paper- Roughly around 3000 B.C., the ancient Egyptians began writing on papyrus, a material
similar to thick paper. Papyrus is made from the pith of the papyrus plant cyperus papyrus. It is
lightweight, strong, durable, and portable. Before the Egyptians invented the papyrus, the
writing was done on stone. With the advent of the papyrus, documentation, and record
keeping become efficient, widespread, and vast. Through its use, information dissemination
became exponentially faster. records were kept and stood the test of times.
3. Shadoof- The shadoof was an early tool invented and used by Egyptians to irrigate land. It is a
hand-operated device used for lifting water. Its invention introduced the idea of lifting things
using counterweights. Because of this invention, irrigation and farming became much more
efficient. The shadoof is also believed to be an ancient precursor of more sophisticated
irrigation
tools. Please click the video to watch how the shadoof is being made and used.
4. Antikythera Mechanism- Even before the invention of the antecedents of the modern
computer, the Greeks had already invented the ancient world's analog computer orrery.
Discovered in 1902 and retrieved from the waters of Antikythera, Greece. Antikythera
mechanism is similar to a mantel clock and it is known as antecedents of modern clockwork.
5. Aeolipile- Also known as the Hero's engine, the aeolipile is widely believed to be the ancient
precursor of the steam engine. It is a steam-powered turbine that spun when the water
container at its center was heated, thus making it practically the first rudimentary steam engine.
Summary
In summary, we have mentioned that ancient people were concerned with transportation,
navigation,
communication, record-keeping, mass production, security, and protection, as well as health,
and
architecture. They continuously invented new things because of their desire to raise the quality
of life
and because of their inventions, people of today are enjoying the offshoots of their discoveries
and
inventions such as the wheel, paper, shadoof, Antikythera, and an aeolipile.
ome Inventions During the Medieval Times
1. Heavy Plough- This is one of the most important technological innovations during the middle
ages. The heavy plough turned European agriculture and economy on its head. Clay soil, despite
its being more fertile than the lighter types of soil, was not cultivated because of its
heavyweight. However, through the invention of the plough, it became possible to harness clay
soil. Professor Thomas Bernebeck Andersen of the University of Southern Denmark succinctly
describes the impact of the invention of the heavy plough: "The heavy plough turned the
European agriculture and economy on its head. Suddenly, the field with the heavy, fatty, and
moist clay soil became those that gave the greatest yields." Because of this, Europe, particularly
its northern territories, saw rapid economic prosperity. the heavy plough stirred an
agricultural
revolution in Northern Europe marked by higher and healthier agricultural yields.
2. Gunpowder- Around 850 A.D., Chinese civilizations alchemists accidentally invented black
powder or gunpowder. Multiple accounts suggest that the gunpowder might have been an
unintended byproduct of attempts made by the Chinese to invent the exilir of life, which is why
the Chinese called it huoyao or translated as "fire potion." Prior to the invention of the
gunpowder, swords and spears were used in battles and wars. Towards the end of the 13th
century, the explosive invention crept into most parts of Europe and Asia. Since its invention,
the gunpowder has allowed for more advanced warfare. from fiery arrows to cannons
anrenades, gunpowder has prompted the foundation for the functionality of almost every new
weapon used in war since its invention. It ushered in an unprecedented advancement in
warfare and combat throughout the Middle Ages.
3. Paper Money- Although it was not until the 17th century that banknotes began to be used in
Europe, the first known versions of paper money could be traced back to the Chinese in 17th
century AD as an offshoot of the invention of block printing, which is similar to stamping.
Before
the introduction of paper money, precious metals, such as gold and silver were used as
currency. However, the idea of assigning value to a marked piece of paper did not immediately
become popular. in fact, when the Mongols attempted to introduce paper money into the
Middle east market in the 13th century, it did not gain immediate success. Nonetheless, traders
and merchants eventually realized the huge advantage of using paper money because it was
easier to transport around compared to the previous forms of currency.
4. Mechanical Clock- Although devices for timekeeping and recording sprung from ancient
times,
such as the Antikythera mechanism, it was not until the middle ages that clockwork technology
was developed. The development of mechanical clocks paved the way for accurately keeping
track the time.
5. Spinning Wheel- A machine used for transforming fiber into thread or yarn and eventually
woven into cloth on a loom. Please click the link to watch the video about the Spinning Wheel
of
India. The Spinning Wheel encouraged the development of the industry of fabrics, clothes, and
related products.
6. Printing Press- After the Chinese developed the woodblock printing, Johann Guttenberg was
able to invent the printing press, a more reliable way of printing using a cast type. He utilized
wooden machines that extracted juices from fruits, attached to them a metal impression of the
letters, and pressed firmly the cast metal into a piece of paper, which then made an exact
impression on paper. This general invention soon evolved to be a mechanical printing press
which eventually used all over the world.
Summary
In summary, a number of very important inventions during the medieval period are the
following:
gunpowder, printing press, heavy plough, paper money, mechanical clock, and spinning wheel.
These
inventions had impacted the lives of the people in various aspects such as economic, social,
economical,
political and cultural.
Some Inventions During the Modern Age
1. Compound Microscope- A Dutch spectacle maker named Zacharias Jansen is credited for the
invention of the first compound microscope in 1590. Together with his father Hans, Zacharias
began experimenting with lenses by putting together several lenses on a tube. This led to an
amazing discovery that an object, when placed near the end of the tube, can be magnified far
larger than what a simple magnifying lens can do. Jansen's compound microscope was an
important progression from a single lens microscope. It was capable of magnifying objects three
times their size when fully closed and up to ten times when extended to the maximum. Today
he compound microscope is an important instrument in many scientific studies, such as in the
areas of medicine, forensic studies, tissue analysis, atomic studies, and genetics.
2. Telescope- Perhaps the single, most important technological invention in the study of
astronomy during the Modern Ages was the practical telescope invented by Galileo Galilei. This
invention could magnify objects 20 times larger than the Dutch perspective glasses. It was
Galileo who first used the telescope skyward and made important astronomical discoveries, and
identified the presence of craters and mountains in the moon. Galileo's remarkable
technological contribution drastically changed the study of astronomy. For the first time, it
became clear that the universe is far larger than previously imagined and the earth far smaller
compared to the entire universe.
3. Jacquard Loom- As the industrial Revolution reached full speed, the Jacquard loom was
considered as one of the most critical drivers of the revolution. Built by French weaver Joseph
Maxie Jacquard, the Jacquard loom simplifies textile manufacturing. Built by French weaver
Joseph Maxie Jacquard, the Jacquard loom simplifies textile manufacturing. Prior to the
invention of the Jacquard loom, a drawloom was used which required two individuals to
operate- the weaver and a "drawboy"- if figured on textiles were needed. As such, intensified
manual labor and greater effort had to be exerted to produce complex designs. In 1801,
Jacquard demonstrated the ingenuity of his version of a loom in which a series of cards with
punch holes automatically created complex textile designs and made mass production easier.
The Jacquard loom is also an important antecedent of modern computer technology as it
demonstrated the use of punched cards to instruct a machine to carry out complex tasks. For
further information on a Jacquard loom, please click the link to watch the video.
4. Engine- Powered Airplane- Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright are credited for designing and
successfully operating the first engine-powered aircraft. The Wright brothers approached the
design of powered aircraft and flight scientifically. Orville and Wilbur proved the air crafts could
fly without airfoil-shaped wings. Their pioneering success marked an age of powered flights.
Sans modern knowledge on aerodynamics and a comprehensive understanding of the working
of the aircraft wings, the Wright brothers were brilliant scientists who paved the way for
modern aircraft technology.
5. Television- The Scottish engineer John Logie Baird is largely credited for the invention of
modern
television. Baird successfully televised objects in outline in 1924, recognizable human faces in
1925, and moving objects in 1926, and projected colored images in 1928. Baird's television
technology caught on really swiftly. In fact, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) used this
for its earliest television programming in 1929. Despite being the first television invented.
Baird's television was later on criticized for its fuzzy and flickering images, primarily because it
was mechanical compared to electronic versions that were developed much later.
Summary
In summary, several inventions were made during modern times such as the compound
microscope,
telescope, Jacquard loom, engine-powered airplane, and televisions. These inventions had
contributed
much to the development of more sophisticated inventions today nventions and discoveries of
prominent Filipino scientists.
1. Gregoria Zara- He invented the first videophone. A native of Lipa, Batangas and enrolled at
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, and graduated with a degree
in BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1926. The two-way televisions or videophone in 1955
patented as a "photophone signal separator network."
2. Agapito Flores- He invented the fluorescent lamp, which is the most widely used source of
lighting in the world today. The fluorescent lamp reportedly got its name from Flores. The
fluorescent lamp, however, was not invented in a particular year. it was the product of 79 years
of the development of the lightning method that began with the invention of the electric bulb
by Thomas Edison.
3. Daniel Dingel- He invented the water-powered car. Daniel Dingel started working on a water
powered car and prototype in 1969. His hydrogen reactor uses electricity from a 12-volt car
battery to transform ordinary tap water with salt into deuterium oxide or heavy water.
However, Dingel's car has never been patented and commercialized because of what he
suspects as an anti-Dngel car conspiracy by multinational companies.
4. Eduardo San Juan- He invented Lunar Rover. Eduardo San Juan's invention is known as the
Moon Buggy. The Moon Buggy was the car used by Neil Armstrong and other astronauts when
they first explored the moon in 1969. He worked for Lockheed Corporation and conceptualized
the design of the Moon Buggy that the Apollo astronauts used while in the moon. As a NASA
engineer, San Juan reportedly used his Filipino ingenuity to build a vehicle that would run
outside the Earth's atmosphere. he constructed its model using homemade materials. However,
San Juan was not listed as the inventor of the Moon Buggy in American Scientific journals,
instead, it was attributed to a Polish inventor.
5. Diosdado Banatao- He invented the GUI (Graphical User Interface). Banatao is known for
introducing the first single-chip graphical user interface accelerator that made computers work
a
lot faster and for helping develop the Ethernet controller chip that made the internet possible.
In 1989, he pioneered the local bus concept for personal computers and in the following year
developed the first Windows accelerator chip. Intel is now using the chips and technologies
developed by Banatao.
6. Angel Alcala- He invented the artificial coral reefs. This was used for fisheries in Southeast
Asia.
7. Roberto del Rosario- He invented karaoke in 1975. Roberto del Rosario developed a sing-
along
system in 1975 and was patented in the 1980s called his sing-along system "Minus-One," now
holds the patent for the device now commonly known as the" karaoke machine."
8. Juan Salcedo Jr. -He developed the" Enriched Rice," a variety of rice fortified with vitamins
B1,
which helps prevent beriberi. His discovery helped in the prevention and reduction of beriberi
in the Philippines and in other countries.
Latest Inventions by Filipino Scientists
The Philippines boasts of its own history and tradition of scientific and technological
innovations.
Filipinos have long been known for their ingenuity. As with all inventions, necessity has always
bee he mother of Philippine inventions. Most of the inventions appealed to the unique social
and cultural
context of the archipelagic nation. Throughput Philippine history, Filipinos are responsible for
developing many scientific and technological innovations focused on navigation, traditional
shipbuilding,
textiles, food processing, indigenous arts and techniques, and even cultural inventions. The
following are
some of the most important inventions by Filipino scientists.
1. Electronic Jeepney (e-jeepney)- The jeepney is perhaps one of the most recognizable
national
symbols of the Philipines and the most popular mode of transportation in the country. It is
also
perhaps one of the most enduring symbols of Filipino ingenuity. Jeepneys were designed and
improvised from scratch out of military jeeps that the Americans left in the country after WW
II.
2. Erythromycin- One of the most important medical inventions is Erythromycin. The Ilonggo
scientist Abelardo Aguilar invented the antibiotic out of the strain of bacterium called
Streptomyces erythreus, from which this drug derived its name.
3. Medical Incubator- World-renowned Filipino pediatrician and national scientist, Fe del
Mundo,
is called for the invention of the incubator and jaundice relieving device. Del Mundo was the
first woman pediatrician to be admitted to the prestigious Harvard University School of
Medicine. Del Mundo's incubator was particularly outstanding as it addressed the state of
Philippine rural communities that had no electricity to aid the regulation of body
temperatures
of newborn babies.
4. Mole Remover- In 2000, a local invention that had the ability to easily remove moles and
warts
on the skin without the need for any surgical procedure shot to fame. Rolando dela Cruz is
credited for the invention of a local mole remover that made use of extracts of cashew nuts,
which are very common in the Philippines.
5. Banana Ketchup- Filipino food technologist, Maria Orosa, is credited for the invention of
banana ketchup, a variety of ketchup different from the commonly known tomato.
Summary
In summary, the 21st century marked the beginning of the birth of more Filipino scientists due
to their
significant contributions in the field of science, technology, physics, marine science,
agriculture,
chemistry, engineering, and mathematics. These Filipino scientists, whether they are abroad
or in
country, always excel in their jobs. The Filipino spirit in their soul never faded. They continue
to bring
honor to the country. They make ordinary things in an extraordinary way. They are always on
par with
other scientists in spite of the limited resources we have in our country. Indeed, this only
proves that
Filipinos are creative, innovative, resourceful, and ingenuity.
The Copernican Revolution
The Copernican Revolution refers to the 16th-century paradigm shift named after the Polish
mathematician and astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus. Copernicus formulated the heliocentric
model of
the universe. At the time, the belief was that the earth was the center of the solar system
based on the
geocentric model of Ptolemy.
Copernicus introduced the heliocentric model in a 40-page outline entitled Commentariolus.
He
formalized his model in the publication of his treatise, The Revolution of Celestial Spheres in
1543. is model, Copernicus repositioned the earth from the center of the Solar System and
introduced the
idea that the earth rotates on its own axis. The model illustrated the earth, along with the
other
heavenly bodies, to be rotating around the sun.
The idea that the sun is at the center of the universe instead of the earth proved to be
unsettling to
many when Copernicus first introduced his model. In fact, the heliocentric model was met
with huge
resistance, primarily from the church, accusing Copernicus of heresy. At the time, the idea
that it was
not the earth, and, by extension, not man, that was at the center of all creation was
unthinkable.
Copernicus faced persecution from the church because of this. However, despite the
persecution and
the problems with the model, the heliocentric model was soon accepted by other scientists of
the time,
most profoundly by Galileo Galilei.
The contribution of the Copernican Revolution is far-reaching. It served as a catalyst to sway
scientific thinking away from age-long views about the position of the earth relative to the
position to an
enlightened understanding of the universe. This marked the beginning of modern astronomy.
Although
very slowly, the heliocentric model eventually caught on among other astronomers who
further refined
the model and contributed to the recognition of heliocentrism. This was capped off by Isaac
Newton's
work a century later. Thus, the Copernican Revolution marked a turning point in the study of
cosmology
and astronomy making it a truly important intellectual revolution. Below is the Copernicus
Theory.
Summary
In summary, Nicolaus Copernicus was an astronomer who proposed a heliocentric model.
According to
this model, the planets orbit around the Sun; that Earth is a planet which, besides orbiting the
Sun
annually, also turns once daily on its own axis; and that very slow changes in the direction of
this axis
account for the precession of the equinoxes.
Charles Darwin
Famous for his theory of evolution, which posited that populations pass through a process of
natural
selection in which only the fittest would survive. He published his book The Origin of Species
in 1589.
His book presented evidence on how species evolved over time and presented traits and
adaptation
that differentiate species.
In his book The Descent of Man, he introduced the idea of all organic life, including human
beings,
under the realm of evolutionary thinking. His unorthodox way of pursuing science gave more
value to
evidence-based science. It is a science marked by observation and experiment.
Summary
In summary, the mechanism that Darwin proposed for evolution is natural selection. Because
resources
are limited in nature, organisms with heritable traits that favor survival and reproduction will
tend to
leave more offspring than their peers, causing the traits to increase in frequency over
generations.
Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud is known for his school of thought known as "Psychoanalysis." This school of
thought is
a scientific method of understanding inner and unconscious conflicts embedded within one's
ersonality, springing from free associations, dreams, and fantasies of the individual. Below is
Freud's
comparison of mind to an iceberg.
Psychoanalysis immediately shot into controversy for it emphasized the existence of the
unconscious
where feelings, thoughts, urges, emotions, and memories are contained outside of one's
conscious
mind. Psychoanalytic concepts of psychosexual development, libido, and ego were met with
both
support and resistance from many scholars. Freud suggested that humans are inherently
pleasure
seeking individuals. These notions were particularly caught into the crossfire of whether
Freud's
psychoanalysis fit in the study of brain and mind.
Scientists working on biological approaches in studying human behavior criticized
psychoanalysis for lack
of validity and bordering on being scientific as a theory. Particularly, the notion that all
humans are
destined to exhibit Oedipus and Electra complexes (the sexual desire towards the parent of
the opposite
sex and exclusions of the parent of the same sex) did not seem to be supported by empirical
data. In the
same way, it appeared to critics that psychoanalysis, then, was more of an ideological stance
than a
scientific one.
Amidst controversy, Freud's psychoanalysis is widely credited for dominating
psychotherapeutic practice
in the early 20th century.
For further information on psychoanalysis, please click the link below.
The video explains Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis. He discussed the structures of
personality, id, ego,
and superego. These three structures are continuously in conflict with one another. Also, he
mentioned
about the stages of psychosexual development of individuals. The first is the oral stage where
the child
gets its satisfaction from the mouth; second is the anal stage, the child undergoes toilet
training; the
third stage is the phallic stage where the child develops complexes, the Electra complex (the
girl is
attracted to the father) and the Oedipal complex ( the young boy is attracted to the mother);
the fourth
stage is the latency stage where the child's focus is on education or learning, and the last
stage is the
genital stage where there is a recurrence of the sex organs as the source of satisfaction.
Summary
In summary, Sigmund Freud's contribution to the field of science is his school of thought
known as
"Psychoanalysis." He postulated that there are many conscious and unconscious factors that
can
influence behavior and emotions and argued that personality is a product of three conflicting
elements:
id, ego, and superego. Although his school of thought was criticized by many, the
psychodynamic
therapies that treat a myriad of psychological disorders still remain largely informed by
Freud's work on
psychoanalysis.
Also, we can conclude that the three revolutionizing theories are just some of the many
scientific ideas
that transformed and molded societies and beliefs. The changes they brought to the
perspectives and
perceptions of the scientific community and the public are evidence of science and
technology's link to
humanity. Through scientific research and experimentation, people will continue to deepen
their
understanding of the world and the universe.
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