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Philippine Christian University

Dasmarinas, Cavite- College of Education
Irene O. Bayalan, LPT, MAEd-Science

COURSE CODE: GNED1004

COURSE TITLE: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course deals with interactions between science and technology and social,
cultural, political, and economic contexts that shape and are shaped by them. This
interdisciplinary course engages students to confront the realities brought about by science
and technology in society. Such realities pervade the personal, the public, and the global
aspects of our living and are integral to human development. Scientific knowledge and
technological development happen in the context of society with all its socio-political,
cultural, economic, and philosophical underpinnings at play. This course seeks to instill
reflective knowledge in the students that they are able to live the good life and display
ethical decision making in the face of scientific and technological advancement. This course
includes mandatory topics on climate change and environmental awareness.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

a. Articulate the impacts of science and technology on society.
b. Imbibe the importance of science and technology in the preservation of the
environment and the development of the Filipino nation.
c. Examine shared concerns that make up the good life to come up with innovative and
creative solutions to contemporary issues guided by ethical standards

MODULE-4

Module-4 Title: STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION

Overview
This module explores the intricate relationship between science, technology,
and the human condition. It examines how scientific and technological
advancements have shaped, enhanced, and, at times, challenged what it means to
live a good and meaningful life. By delving into philosophical reflections and real-
world applications, this module emphasizes how human flourishing is influenced by
technology, how technology reveals aspects of our world and ourselves, and how
ethical considerations must accompany innovation. Learners will be encouraged to
think critically about the role of science and technology in their lives and society at
large, fostering a more reflective and responsible engagement with technological
progress.

Module-4 Learning Outcomes

After Module 4, you are expected:

● Explain how science and technology influence human flourishing.
● Analyze the role of technology in shaping human experiences and
perceptions.
● Evaluate the concept of the good life in relation to scientific and technological
advancements.
● Reflect on the ethical, social, and cultural implications of the intersection
between humanity and technology.
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Module-4 Topics

1. Topic 1 – The Human Person Flourishing in Terms of Science and

Technology
2. Topic 2 – The Good Life
3. Topic 3 – When Technology and Humanity Cross
4. Topic 4 – Why Does the Future Not Need Us

Topic 1: The Human Person Flourishing in Terms of Science and Technology

Introduction: Every living creature is meant to become what it is meant to be. The
caterpillar is meant to become a beautiful butterfly; a small seed into a full-grown
herb, bush or tree; and a human baby into a mature person, the person "who is fully
alive, the glory of God" in the words of St. Irenaeus. (Corpuz, 2015).

As we grow and develop there are different factors that affect us, there are different
questions that need to be answered and there are steps and actions that need to be
undertaken. Flourishing is the highest good of human attempt to achieve his/her
goal. It is a success as a human being when he/she achieved it for the betterment of
his/her life. The best life is one of excellent human activity. "Eudaimonia", literally
"good spirited" is a term connected by renowned Greek Philosopher Aristotle (385-
323B.C.) to describe the peak of human's happiness that can be attained. The big
question is "How?". How will you achieve your flourishing?

Topic 1 Learning Outcomes

After Topic 1, you are expected to:

● Understand the relationship between humans and technology.
● Know the contribution of Heidegger towards STS
● define human flourishing
● cite the Importance of Human flourishing.

Topic 1 Contents

Human Flourishing and Technology

Science and technology play vital roles in
shaping our lives. They cure diseases, improve
productivity, enhance mobility, and help us better
understand the universe. However, despite these
advantages, technological progress is not without
challenges. It may lead to overdependence,
alienation, ethical dilemmas, and even a diminished
sense of meaning in human work and relationships.

For instance, while machines simplify labor, they might detach individuals from the
sense of personal accomplishment. Technological advancements that extend life
can also lead to existential questions about the human body as something to be
engineered or altered indefinitely. Furthermore, while digital tools allow global
communication, they can create distance among those physically close to us. Thus,
the ethical and societal impact of technology must be critically examined alongside
its capabilities.
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The idea of human flourishing has

been a subject of philosophical inquiry
for centuries. Aristotle described
human flourishing as eudaimonia, the
realization of one’s potential through a
life of virtue, rationality, and purpose.
For him, flourishing comes from
developing excellence in character and
intellect, not merely from wealth or
material success. He emphasized that
every person’s nature—guided by reason—provides the blueprint for achieving the
"good life." This flourishing involves active participation in society, cultivating
friendships, practicing moral virtue, and striving for excellence.

Aristotle's ethics, though rooted in individual responsibility and self-realization, are

distinctively egoistic. He believed that each person is responsible for pursuing their
own good, grounded in reason and virtue. This concept has evolved over time,
especially in today’s interconnected world where collaboration, interdependence,
and shared responsibility are emphasized.

In contrast to Aristotle’s individualistic Western perspective, many Eastern

philosophies view flourishing as communal. These traditions prioritize the good of
the society over the individual’s desires, encouraging self-sacrifice and social
harmony. This difference illustrates how cultural worldviews influence our
understanding of well-being.

Today, humans live in a world shaped by rapid

technological change. Unlike early civilizations that relied
on primitive tools and lived closely with nature, modern
humans are immersed in a network of machines, global
systems, and digital infrastructure. As science enables
more control over nature and our own biology, the question
remains: Does this progress make us truly flourish, or
does it distract us from what truly matters?

Technology as a Way of Revealing: Martin Heidegger’s Perspective

Martin Heidegger, a 20th-century German philosopher, contributed significantly to

our understanding of technology’s deeper implications.
Though a controversial figure due to his political affiliations,
his insights remain influential in STS.

In his work Being and Time (1927), Heidegger argued that

Western philosophy had forgotten the most basic question:
what does it mean “to be”? He believed that humanity's
crisis in the modern era—marked by alienation and loss of
meaning—stemmed from this forgetting.

Heidegger claimed that modern technology reduces nature,

and even human beings, to mere resources—what he
called “standing-reserve.” Rather than seeing the world as
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a rich, meaningful place, we view everything in terms of utility and efficiency. This
view strips reality of depth and beauty. For example, a forest is no longer a natural
habitat, but just lumber waiting to be processed. Similarly, people are viewed in
terms of productivity and performance, not dignity or purpose.

Yet Heidegger was not anti-technology. Instead, he emphasized the

importance of recognizing its essence—how it shapes the way we see and engage
with the world. He believed that art, like technology, reveals truth, but in a more
poetic, humanizing way. By reflecting on technology’s danger, we might also
discover its potential for meaningful use.

According to Heidegger, the key to human flourishing lies not in rejecting

technology but in understanding its power to shape our worldviews. Only then can
we reclaim a more authentic, purposeful existence.

Science as a Method and Social Endeavor

Science is a systematic process of

inquiry, helping us make sense of the natural
world through observation, experimentation, and
reasoning. The scientific method follows
several steps: identifying a problem, forming a
hypothesis, conducting experiments, analyzing
data, and drawing conclusions. While the
process appears linear, it is often iterative—
requiring repetition and reevaluation.

However, science is not merely a mechanical method—it is a social

endeavor. Scientists work within communities, share discoveries, peer-review each
other’s work, and build upon collective knowledge. Science is influenced by cultural
values, ethical considerations, and collaborative dynamics. Therefore, diversity
and collaboration are essential for innovation and ethical integrity.

The Importance of Diversity and Collaboration in Science:

1. Balances Bias: A diverse scientific community helps check personal or

cultural biases, ensuring more objective conclusions.
2. Stimulates Innovation: Multiple perspectives foster creative solutions and
new research paths.
3. Encourages Specialization: Different strengths and interests lead scientists
to explore varied topics with unique approaches.
4. Promotes Motivation: Interaction and recognition among peers inspire
scientists to strive for excellence.
5. Enables Division of Labor: Modern science is too vast for any single
individual; teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential.

As science and technology continue to evolve, they reshape how we live,

work, and understand ourselves. These advancements must be accompanied by
deep ethical reflection, cultural awareness, and a commitment to human
flourishing. Ultimately, our well-being depends not only on what we invent but on
how we live with those inventions—and how they help us become more fully human.
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Topic 2: The Good Life

Introduction: Many philosophers have attempted unlocking the old philosophical

question, "What is the good life?" "How should one live well?" "What does it take to
live fruitfully? In this module, these questions will be answered as we understand all
about achieving the good life, what every individual strives throughout his or her life.

Topic 2 Learning Outcomes

After Topic 2, you are expected to:

● examine what is meant by a good life;
● identify how humans attempt to attain what is deemed to be a good life;
and
● recognize possibilities available to human being to attain the good life.

Topic 2 Contents

Understanding the Good Life

According to Westacott (2018), the good life can be understood in three key ways:

1. The Moral Life

Living morally—being honest, generous, loyal,

courageous, and virtuous—is a timeless idea of the
good life. Socrates and Plato emphasized virtue as
more important than pleasure, wealth, or power. Even
suffering is acceptable if one remains morally upright.
Many religions also align with this idea, asserting that
goodness will be rewarded in the afterlife.

2. The Life of Pleasure (Hedonism)

Epicurus argued that life is best when it maximizes

pleasure and minimizes pain. True pleasure includes
not just sensual delights but deeper joys like
friendship and study. However, overindulgence can
lead to long-term dissatisfaction. Today, Western
culture often equates the good life with personal
enjoyment and recreational luxury.

3. The Fulfilled Life (Eudaimonia)

Aristotle viewed happiness not just as feeling

good but as living virtuously and meaningfully.
The good life is achieved when individuals fulfill
their potential and balance moral excellence,
relationships, health, prosperity, and rational
activity (e.g. art, science, philosophy). Objective
conditions matter—not just subjective feelings.
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Philosophical Approaches to the Good Life

Throughout history, different schools of thought have interpreted what it means to

flourish:

Originating from ancient Greek atomists

(Leucippus, Democritus), materialism sees the
good life in terms of comfort, wealth, and
physical well-being, often dismissing spiritual or
moral ideals.

1. Materialism

2. Rooted in Epicureanism, this view values

Hedonism pleasure as the highest good. Life is short, so
one must enjoy it—moderately but meaningfully.

3. Founded by Zeno of Citium, Stoicism holds that

Stoicism virtue is sufficient for happiness. We must
accept what we cannot control and focus on
mastering our internal responses. A good life is
one lived with wisdom and resilience.

4. Theists believe that true happiness lies in

Theism communion with God. Life gains meaning
through obedience to divine will. Religions like
Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism
emphasize spiritual fulfillment over material
success.
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5. Humanism argues that humans are responsible

Humanism for creating their own meaning. It rejects the
supernatural, emphasizing reason, ethics, and
science as tools to improve life and human
dignity. Technological progress is often seen as
part of this effort.

The Ultimate Goal: Eudaimonia

Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia (from “daimon” – true nature) refers to realizing

one's full potential. Boniwell (2008) argues that merely feeling good isn’t enough; a
good life requires actualizing one’s abilities, living virtuously, and engaging in
worthwhile activities. Human flourishing is the deepest form of happiness.

The Role of Technology in Achieving the Good Life

Technology plays a dual role in shaping human well-being:

● Enhancing Life: As Vergragt (2006) argues, sustainable technological

innovation can support a good life without harming future generations.
Technology meets basic needs, supports self-expression, and connects
people across boundaries.
● Ethical Challenge: However, technology can also challenge moral
boundaries—e.g., social media distorting relationships, or bioengineering
affecting identity. Thus, we must balance ethics, purpose, and progress in
choosing how to use technology.

Topic 3: When Technology and Humanity Cross

Introduction: Technology is deeply interwoven into the fabric of modern human life.
From how we communicate and learn to how we understand the universe and
ourselves, technological advancement is both a driving force and a reflection of our
civilization's progress. This topic explores the profound ways in which technology
and humanity intersect, the societal transformations it brings, and the practical
applications of science—especially those that have earned Nobel Prizes.
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Topic 3 Learning Outcomes

After Topic 3, you are expected to:

● Identify what happens when technology and humanity cross.
● Know what is the impact of technology in our lives.
● List practical Applications from Nobel Prize winning Results

Topic 3 Contents

Technology’s Influence on Society

Technology shapes the way

individuals communicate, learn, think,
and interact. Tools such as
smartphones and the internet have
revolutionized access to information
and global connection but have also
introduced new social and personal
challenges.

In Education: Learning has become more

interactive and collaborative. With digital tools like
YouTube, social media, and online quizzes,
students can access resources anytime and learn at
their own pace. Online classrooms enhance
participation and make education more engaging
and inclusive.

In Communication: New platforms such as email,

video conferencing, and instant messaging enable
people to connect worldwide. However, over-reliance
on digital communication may reduce face-to-face
interaction, hinder interpersonal relationships, and
increase distractions and privacy issues.

In Health: Technology offers tools for

monitoring health (e.g., fitness apps, heart
rate trackers) and supports modern
diagnostics and treatment. It also improves
accessibility and care for the elderly,
supported by technological advancements
in hospitals and medicine.
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Despite the many advantages, modern technologies can negatively affect

attention span, privacy, and genuine human interaction. They also redefine daily
routines and influence human behavior and values.

Science's Role in Shaping Civilization

Science originated from human curiosity about the natural world and
developed independently from technology. Over time, scientific discoveries began to
influence technological innovation—especially post-Industrial Revolution, when
chemistry and electromagnetism led to developments in electricity and chemical
industries.

Key scientific breakthroughs have profoundly transformed human thought and

society:

● Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity (1905): Reshaped physics and

changed humanity’s understanding of space and time.
● Copernican Revolution: Displaced Earth from the center of the universe,
initiating the Scientific Revolution.
● Big Bang Theory: Originated from Edwin Hubble’s discovery of the
expanding universe and confirmed by Penzias and Wilson’s detection of
cosmic radiation.
● Plate Tectonics: Based on Wegener’s continental drift theory, radically
changed the Earth sciences.
● DNA Double Helix (1953): Led to molecular biology and genetic engineering.
● Human Genome Project (2003): Enabled personalized medicine and
advanced biotechnology.

Scientific knowledge has reshaped ethics, culture, and our view of life, nature,
and society.

The IT and Nanotech Revolutions

● Information Technology (IT): Innovations such

as the internet, computers, and mobile devices
revolutionized communication, education,
business, and leisure. IT has not only increased
productivity but also transformed societal
structures.
● Nanotechnology: Enables manipulation at
atomic and molecular levels, expanding human
capabilities in medicine, electronics, and
materials science.

Both fields highlight how scientific progress can influence values, ethics, and
daily living.
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Science and Technology in the 20th Century

The 20th century witnessed an explosion of technological advancements.

These included the development of semiconductors, lasers, DNA research, and
space exploration. Science transitioned from being a niche endeavor to a global
force shaping politics, economy, and culture.

Science Knows No Borders

Scientific progress is no longer confined to Western countries. Asian nations

have made substantial contributions to global science, reflected in Nobel Prizes
awarded to researchers from Japan, India, China, and others.

Nobel Prize Winners from Asia (Natural Sciences)

Sector Yea Name Country

r
Physics 1930 C.V. Raman India
1949 Hideki Yukawa Japan
1957 C.N. Yang, T.D. Lee China
1965 Shinichiro Tomonaga Japan
1973 Reona Esaki Japan
1976 Samuel C.C. Ting U.S.A. (Chinese descent)
1979 Abdus Salam Pakistan
1983 S. Chandrasekhar India
1997 Steven Chu U.S.A. (Chinese descent)
1998 Daniel C. Tsui China
2002 Masatoshi Koshiba Japan
Chemistry 1981 Kenichi Fukui Japan
1986 Yuan T. Lee Taiwan
2000 Hideki Shirakawa Japan
2001 Ryoji Noyori Japan
2002 Koichi Tanaka Japan
Physiology/Medicine 1968 Har Gobind Khorana India
1987 Susumu Tonegawa Japan

Practical Applications from Nobel Prize-winning Discoveries

Practical Application Nobel Prize Winner(s) Prize/Year

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Felix Bloch, et al Physics, 1952
Imaging)
Paul Lauterbur, Peter Physiology/Medicine,
Mansfield 2003
Semiconductors (Transistors) William Shockley, John Physics, 1956
Bardeen, et al
Insulin Frederick Sanger Chemistry, 1958
Semiconductors (Tunneling Reona Esaki, et al Physics, 1973
effect)
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CT Scanner Alan Cormack, Godfrey Physiology/Medicine,

Hounsfield 1979
Monoclonal Antibodies Niels Jerne, Georges Physiology/Medicine,
Kohler, et al 1984
Conductive Polymers (e.g., Hideki Shirakawa, et al Chemistry, 2000
Phone Screens)
Asymmetric Synthesis (e.g., Ryoji Noyori Chemistry, 2001
Menthol)
Protein Analyzer Koichi Tanaka Chemistry, 2002

Topic 4: Why the future does not need us?

Introduction:
The transition from human flourishing to the gradual disenabling of human capacity
has occurred nowadays. Humans cannot overthrow the vast development of
machines and technological advancements since it provides alleviation in many
aspects. In short, humans should, must, and will still continue to build and ascend
into the acquisition of new capabilities using these developments.

However, this progress also presents deep ethical challenges. Beneath the promise
of innovation lie hidden predicaments and potential threats to humanity itself—
particularly concerns surrounding Genetic Engineering, Nanotechnology, and
Robotics (GNR).

This topic explores the arguments of Bill Joy in his influential article “Why the Future
Doesn’t Need Us”, examining how unchecked technological power may lead to
scenarios where human beings are no longer central, necessary, or even safe in the
future.

Learning outcome:
● Identify the existing scenarios and trends that pose a situation where man is
not important in the future;
 Explain Bill Joy’s main arguments regarding the dangers of Genetic
Engineering, Nanotechnology, and Robotics (GNR).
 Analyze ethical dilemmas associated with advanced technologies and their
impact on human survival and agency.

Topic 4 contents:
William Nelson Joy or Bill Joy is a co-founder of Sun
Microsystems and a respected computer scientist. In his 2000
article “Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us”, Joy argues that
unlike previous technologies, GNR technologies have the
potential to:
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 Replicate themselves
 Be weaponized easily
 Cause irreversible damage if misused or uncontrolled

He stated that our most powerful 21st-century technologies—robotics, genetic

engineering, and nanotech—are threatening to make humans an endangered
species. The power of technologies can change the world although the designers of
these stuff thought of the welfare of humankind. The GNR’s can potentially bring
about the new classes of accidents, threat and abuses. These do not require large
facilities or rare materials.

Why the future does not need us?

Bill Joy and computer scientists believed that the machines
might be permitted to make all of their own decisions without
human oversight, or else human control over the machines
might be retained. In his article he quoted it might be argued
that the human race would never be foolish enough to hand
over all the power to the machines. But he suggested neither
that the human race would voluntarily turn power over to the
machines nor that the machines would willfully seize power.

On the other hand, it is possible that human control over the

machines may be retained. In that case the average man
may have control over certain private machines of his own,
such as his car or his personal computer. Bill Joy mentioned the tendencies of the
elite to control and use the advance techniques either to exterminate the mass of
humanity or conditioning the mind and decide to play the role of good shepherds to
the rest of the human race the masses because human work will no longer be
necessary.

A. Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering involves altering the DNA of any
organism to achieve desired traits, such as in crops or
[Link] engineering allows humans to modify living
organisms, including humans themselves. While it offers
benefits such as curing diseases and improving agriculture,
it also raises concerns such as:

 Designer babies and genetic inequality

Genetic engineering is a version of eugenics and evokes
memories of the historical eugenics.
 Accidental creation of harmful organisms
Genetic engineering is dehumanizing because it will create non-human,
alienated creatures.
 Loss of respect for natural human limits
Changing reproductive cells may cause events not seen until years later and
undesirable effects may have already been passed on the patient’s children.
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B. Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on a near-
atomic scale to produce new structures, materials and
[Link] technology promises scientific advancement in
many sectors such as consumer products, energy, materials
and manufacturing including medical field. Nanotechnology
deals with manipulating matter at the atomic and molecular
level. Some potential risks include:

 Self-replicating nanobots ("grey goo" scenario)

The "gray goo" scenario is a hypothetical doomsday concept involving self-
replicating nanomachines consuming all organic matter on Earth, leaving behind
only a mass of gray goo composed of these nanomachines.
 Difficulty in controlling or stopping nanoscale systems
 Environmental and health risks that are hard to detect

C. Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

Robotics combines science, engineering, and
technology to create machines called robots.
Robotics is primarily motivated by the desire to be
immortal - by downloading ourselves into them.

Advanced robotics and AI systems can outperform

humans in speed, accuracy, and decision-making.
Risks include:

 Job displacement and economic inequality

 Autonomous weapons systems
 AI systems acting beyond human intentions or control