STS NOTES

Nature
January 27, 2020 1. Belief
a. Experiential
What is Science? b. Personal
- Science is simply organized curiosity c. Cannot be disproved
- Perception “I believe dragons are true”’
- Process “Infallible fact”
- Endeavor 2. Research
- Institution a. Methodical
b. Universal
Heraclitus c. Open to testing
“Nature loves to hide” “What could explain
1. Nature willing to shed her veil for dragons?”
science “Circumstantial fact”
2. Science is a “rediscovery” of
something already in nature The birth of a hypothesis
3. Science deals with a “physical” world Fact 1
where nature exists Fact 2 hypothesis --time and testing
4. This physical world is experienced Theory
empirically Fact 3
- NO amount of data will prove a
Empirical Appraisal of the world hypothesis to be true. They will only
1. Observe fail to disprove it.
2. Measure
3. Verify January 29, 2020

Science is many things The death of a hypothesis

- Process Theory 1  Critical anomalies  paradigm
- Perspective shift  Theory 2
- Endeavor
- Institution Critical anomalies:
- Contradictory data
Aristotle - Prediction failure
- The first “Natural Philosopher” - Inadequate or non-encompassing
- Logic: - A simpler, more elegant model exists
o Philosophia (love of wisdom)
o Episteme (knowledge) The disruption of recognized thinking brings
o Theoria (contemplation, forth unexpected new ideas encompassing old
speculation) and new data, birthing a new paradigm
- Nature
Case in point: the Galileo Affair
Logic  assessment  nature
I The old theory: geocentrism
A way of thinking that utilizes reason - Ptolemy of Alexandria
I - Based on the Aristotelian concept of
Knowledge: what you know and accept to be nature
real - Earth at the center of the cosmos
1. Belief - Other celestial objects revolve around
2. Research earth
 - Evidence is based on everyday - Kepler’s planetary model gave more
experience pro-heliocentrism evidence
o Sun - Late observations and physical
o Moon concepts (e.g. Newtonian mechanics)
o Stars upheld the Validity of heliocentrism
o “Everything in the night sky is
moving. The only thing that Paradigm shift: what’s at the center?
isn’t moving, is us” - Now we know that the sun is at the
center
The critical anomaly: sun at the center? o Center of its own planetary
- As early as the 3rd century BC – system
Aristarchus of Samos - What is at the center of the universe?
- Proposals from medieval Islamic o Does the universe even have
scholars a center?
- First geometric model by Nicolaus
Copernicus The Pillars of Scientific “Orthodoxy” (P1-P7)
- Heliocentric model: sun at the center 1. Science must assume that things in
the universe are real
Contradictory data: Galileo’s findings 2. The universe contains an order that
- Galileo’s version of the telescope = can be perceived by the senses we
better astronomical observations possess
o Solar rotation – sun spots 3. Science presupposes that the
o Phases of Venus – only principles that allow natural process
possible if it rotates around to happen are the same principles
something illuminating it that can be used to explain
o Moons of Jupiter – if Jupiter consistently, through careful study,
revolved around earth, it whichever phenomena is being
would have no business examined.
having its own moons 4. The explanation and prediction of any
- Evidence in support of Copernican branch of science must be logical and
model based on evidence
5. Any scientific explanation is limited
Implications of the Galileo findings and probabilistic
- The church found the Ptolemaic 6. Science is not performed in isolation –
model compatible with biblical it is a universal social endeavor
passages 7. The goal of science is to contribute
- Tycho Brahe tried to blend both meaningfully to the world
geocentric and heliocentric models Some characteristics of science
- Galileo steadfast with his 1. Science deals with phenomena, and
observations, earning ire of church must make assumptions to further
- Church during this time was in comprehension
upheaval due to reformation a. Key ideas
- Contrarian ideas deemed as challenge i. P1-P5
to church authority, thus are heretical ii. Approximation
o Even Galileo’s writings, even if iii. Reductionism
non-theological in nature 2. Science uses no strict method and
- Galileo faced church inquisition twice draws from many disciplines
o Second inquisition found him a. Key ideas
guilty of heresy, was i. Scientific methods
condemned to life under ii. Creative flexibility
house arrest
 iii. Interdisciplinary in 3. The value of science lies it in being a
problem solving product of consensus
3. Science can lead to the development 4. The stability of today’s society:
of technology honesty & integrity in the practice of
a. Key ideas science
i. Application and 5. Technology as a tangible impact of
articulation of science science
ii. Tools expand reach of
science February 5, 2020
iii. Human comfort
4. Despite its reach and breadth, science Technology: Our Constant Companion
has limits
a. Key ideas Science (theory) –knowledge technology
i. What can science (practice) –Tools cycles back to science
describe?
ii. Informed decisions Ancient science or ancient technology
iii. Descriptive vs. - Non-formulated, fluid, dynamic:
prescriptive observation, explanation, prediction,
5. Science involves taking risks and experimentation
serendipity - Observation
a. Key ideas
i. Never complete Ancient technology
“luck” - Making tools
ii. Looking at “failure” o Expanded our diet
iii. Using a different - Mastery of fire
perspective o We did not invent fire, we
6. Science is not static, it is contingent discovered it and mastered it,
more than absolute learning to control it
a. Key ideas - Bigger brain
i. Self-correction o Better communication and
ii. Pseudoscience troubleshooting
iii. Furthers research - Domestication
7. Science is an inclusive, collaborative o Agriculture
social exercise - Using technology preceded
a. Key ideas understanding the science behind it
i. Big problem, big o Early humans
solutions (P6-P7) o Landscape alteration
ii. Who are the o Early settlements
stakeholders? - The development of any society is
iii. Citizen science dependent on the technology it
January 31, 2020 possesses and utilizes

Why should we believe in science? Stone age

“Scientists tell us that the world is warming. - Flint, sticks, bone, twine/vine
Scientists tell us that vaccines are safe. But - Paleolithic
how do we know if they’re right? Why should o “old stone age”
we believe the science?” -Naomi Oreskes o Hunter-gatherers; nomadic
1. People who don’t understand science o Ice age
reduce it to a matter of perspective o Lower to mid: rough tools
2. Many trust Science blindly
o Middle to upper: more
elegant and refined tools
 - Mesolithic o Harder to extract
o “middle stone age” o Required higher temperature
o Transition period o Tougher than bronze
- Neolithic o The Philippines had gold
o “new stone age” before iron
o Subsistence agriculture; more
fixed settlements Other prominent materials
o Weaponry, bow and arrow, - Ceramics
tools to till the soil o Clay from China
o The wheel - Glass
o Domestication for food, labor o Developed in the west

February 7, 2020 Defining moment: technological pressure

1. Human survival was differentiated by
Early human development the pressure to develop better
1. Dependent on the environment and technology to aid in survival
technological development 2. Better technological development
2. Knowledge development of bountiful transformed humanity as a species
land, beneficial flora and fauna, useful 3. Technology defined drastic changes in
tools human civilizations over the last three
3. Later, gradual shift from sustenance in centuries
mobility to sedimentary subsistence
strategies February 12, 2020

Continuing societal emergence Spanish colonization

- Cooperative and competitive actions - Christianity
o Exchange of surplus goods - Knowledge
leading to trade o Institutions
o Conquest and invasion of o Ateneo
other communities over o UST
coveted goods o Manila Observatory
o Rise of military sources - Fashion
- Formation of social hierarchy
o Rise of landowner class Development of S&T during the American
o Expendable labor from lower Regime
classes - Extensive public education system
- Scholarships for higher education in
Bronze age science and engineering
- Copper and tin - Establishment of science research
- Smelting agencies and professional
- Welding organizations
- Extracting metal from rock - Implementation of science based
- Weaponry became more public services
sophisticated and refined - Lack of coordination between science
o Metal is more pliable and and educational policies, and
moldable than rock economic policies
- Jewelry to signify wealth/status o Delayed industrialization of
the Philippines
Iron age o Underdevelopment of the
- Iron is more valuable than bronze Physical sciences/industrial
o You had to split a mountain research
 o Myopia causes bias to debt
S&T independence vs. equity
- Education, training, and support for o Need an archangel network
scientific research and development and a couple of cherubs
remained unchanged - Venture capitalists
- Private colleges and universities o Have to deal with LPs who are
provided education for the majority of OMGs
the college population o No deal flow from the
- Lack of support, planning, and valley/abyss
coordination for scientific work in
government (low budget for research 2 types of founders
and low salaries of scientists) - Tech founders
o Young
Philippine S&T vs other countries o Usually students
- Academic founders
February 14, 2020 o Aged 30+
o Scientists, academicians
University and National Development: More
than Meets the Eye Progress in Philippine government
- IP commercialization leads to national - Tech transfer…
development…
- ONLY if the players play it right From university to industry
o Academe
o Industry Tech transfer process
o Entrepreneur Research & innovation generation  IP and
o Government Market evaluation  IP protection  startup
or…
Filipino Scientists
- Asked to do 300,000 things “all at a Options for commercialization
time” - Sale
- Strangled by the thickest of archaic - License
laws and policies - Startup
- Top 6 universities operate with only
20% R&D budget of ASEAN neighbors Conclusion
Reasons why researchers don’t engage 1. The university: not only for teaching
- No interest in business start-ups and publishing scientific knowledge
- Delay in publication due to patenting 2. The university: true engine of national
requirements development
- Patenting and commercialization are 3. Technology transfer and
evil commercialization = universities
initiate molding deeper relationships
Philippines is #1 in Asia… with the government, industry, and
- #1 businesses opened related communities
- #1 in businesses closed
February 17, 2020
2 types of investors from the Filipino industry
- Angel investors A note on Intellectual Property Rights
o Usually OMGs (old
mainstream guys) or COOs Intellectual Property Rights
(child of owners) - Exclusive rights over one’s ideas,
contents, and innovations
 - Innovator protection: ensures that the o Issued on 22 August 2002
proceeds and benefits will go to the - Applied in 2001
proprietor for a definite period of o Issued on 23 October 2002
time o Sodium and magnesium salts
- Consumer protection: IPR requires the of S-drug
product to be made available to the
market IP Law in the Philippines
- 60’s IP law – patent period is from
Kinds of IPR date of issuance of patent
- Patents - New IP law – Patent period is from
- Trademarks date of application
- Copyrights
- Trade secrets Generic Company
- Wants to sell S-Drug: Esomeprazole
Case study on IP: Esomeprazole - How do they do this?
- S-Drug patent is until 2022
Gastric Acid Ulcer
- Gastric acid ulcer Cancellation of patents
- Duodenal ulcer a. That what is claimed as the invention
- Reflux esophagitis is not new or patentable
- Gastritis b. That the patent does not disclose the
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease invention in a manner sufficiently
(GERD) clear and complete for it to be carried
out by any person skilled in the art; or
Multinational Company c. That the patent is contrary to the
- Develops drug to control gastric acid public order or morality
secretion
- Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)
- Essentially safe
- Rare to very rare side effects Is S-drug novel?
- Is it a new compound?
- Is separation of R-drug and S-drug
Omeprazole novel?
- Patents applied 1978 – 1973 - Is the technology new?
- Blockbuster drug (USD 6.2B/year)
Decisions
S-Drug - If you are in IPP, will you invalidate
- Multinational claims that this is better the patent or not?
- Very good sales - Can a company patent the potassium
- Theparmaletter (2003): Profits down salt of drug?
at AstraZeneca sales plummet, but
Nexium turnover soars February 24, 2020

Original Drug We are now in the…

- Original drug is a mixture of 2 - Third technological wave
compounds that are mirror images of - Second machine age
each other. These are called the S and - Fourth industrial revolution
the R enantiomers

Philippine Patents
- Applied in 1994
What is technology? Social Perspectives on science, technology,
- Going beyond “application of science” and society
- Tools + manners of use
o Material AND non-material Perspectives on science and technology
technologies - Going beyond definitions, textbook
 “includes all tools, illustrations, and laboratory
machines, utensils, experiences
weapons, - How does science and technology
instruments, housing, reflect in the larger social context?
clothing,
communicating and Classical social perspectives
transporting devices - Structure vs agency
and the skills by o Science and technological
which we produce innovation as a product of
and use them” social groups vs influenced by
o Changes in practice and tools subjective, individual actions
throughout the ages - Structural perspectives
 Toffler’s tech waves o Functionalism (consensus)
o Social conflict
The technological paradigm - Agent perspectives
- Knowledge and economic resources o Interactionism
to produce and use modern o Utilitarianism
technologies
- “…an impressive dominance over the Functionalism
whole of humanity and the entire - Comte, spencer, parsons, merton
world.” (latent function)
- Society as a complex system of
The utilities of the technocratic paradigm working together to promote stability
- 24/7 paradigm – stability by consensus
o Before, your day would end as - Science as a part of the complex
soon as the sun sets system
- Increase in power and speed o Role – as a means of
- Connectivity in a globalizing world understanding nature, it seeks
to bridge the different forms
The problem with the technocratic paradigm of knowledge across nations
- “the economy accepts every advance and groups in a rapidly
in technology with a view to profit, globalizing world
without concern for its negative - Technological innovation as tools that
impact on human beings” ensure functionality, cooperation
- Fragmentation of disciplines and between different social groups
perspectives
- Misguided anthropocentrism Social conflict
o Anthropocentrism – the belief - French liberalism, Marxist tradition
that humans are the most - Society as a system of composed
important entities groups with their own interests and
o The wrong belief that objectives
everything around you is for - Science as display of power relations
your own good o Role – ensure that a powerful
group remains in power by
controlling knowledge
production and dissemination
 - Technological innovation as tools that rationally, act like humans, and act
ensure stability via domination naturally

Structural perspectives The “Turing test”

- Example: GMO - Accepted indicator
- Functionalist perspective - Goal of AI research
o Stable crops, maximized food o Pass the Turing Test
yields o A – computer/AI
o Pest control o B – Human
- Conflict perspective o C – Observer
o Cooperate control?
o Need for genetic purity leaves Systems thinking like humans
farmers disadvantaged - Formulate a theory of mind/brain
- Express theory in a computer program
Group presentation - Approaches
- 15 minutes MAX o Cognitive science and
- Must highlight issue and context (why Psychology
is it an issue? Why is it a RELEVANT o Cognitive neuroscience
issue?)
- Propose intervention (what can be Systems thinking rationally
done with the issue?) - “rational” – ideal intelligence
- Point out challenges to intervention (contrast with human intelligence)
- Provide insights - Rational thinking governed by precise
“laws of thought”
February 28, 2020 o Syllogisms
o Notation and logic
Artificial intelligence - Systems (in theory) can solve
problems in using such…
What is ‘intelligence’?
- Multiple intelligences Systems acting rationally
1. Visual-spatial - Building systems that carry out
2. Linguistic-verbal actions to achieve the best outcome
3. Interpersonal - Rational behavior
4. Intrapersonal - May or may not involve rational
5. Logical-mathematical thinking
6. Musical o i.e., considering reflex actions
7. Bodily-kinesthetic
8. Naturalistic March 2, 2020

True intelligence How does an AI work?

- Real understanding of the problem - Programming
- True judgement can be implemented - Coding
to solve problem
Foundations of AI
What is artificial intelligence? - Philosophy: logic, mind, knowledge
- Alan Turing and John McCarthy - Mathematics: proof, computability,
o Machines have the capacity to probability
display intelligence - Economics: maximizing payoffs
- Definitions of AI vary - Neuroscience: brain and neurons
- Artificial intelligence is the study of - Psychology: thought, perception,
systems that think like humans, think action
 - Control theory: stable feedback Genes vs. Environment
systems - Both play a role
o Some mutations confer an
Machine learning increase in life expectancy by
- Collection of computational methods 25%
- “Train” a machine to be o Lab organisms with the same
“knowledgeable” on a particular genetic makeup placed in the
domain same environment would still
- Data-driven vary in life expectancy –
nurture plays a role
Agent-based AI
- Agent: program and architecture Evolution
operated - Physical evolution
1. Reflex agent o Somatic investment
2. Reflex agent with state o Lactose tolerance
3. Goal-based agent o CCR5 mutation
4. Utility-based agent o Many other examples
5. The learning agent - Being social
o Social animals live longer
What of artificial intelligence and our lives? o Intergenerational transfer of
- The internet of things wisdom
- Network of digital assistants
- Self-automated cars It is not just evolution
- Automation of tasks in existing jobs - The rate of change has just been rapid
- Are we going to be replaced? in the last 150 years
- What else then could have increased
Counter argument life expectancy? – science and
- Relief from repetitive jobs and technology
monotonous tasks within a job
- The human aspect of the job will be Top causes of death: 1900 vs 2015
given more time - Viral  chronic

The responsibility Major killers

- The balance between “robots and - Small pox
humans,” is achieved with conscious - Black/bubonic plague
effort
- Achieving the synergy that humans Variolation and Vaccination
and machines can produce together, - Variolation
rather than have total replacements o Exposing a person to
in the context of employments contaminated part with virus
for immunity
Longevity and Modern Medicine
Pasteur and Koch: Germ Theory
Life expectancy – imperfect, but it works
- Average age of death Ehrlich, Domagk, Fleming: Magic Bullets
- Mortality rates - Fleming: penicillin

Compared to our nearest ape relatives Hygiene

- Humans live twice as long - Wash your hands to prevent spread of
- Humans in general have long lifespans microbes
- WHY?
Semmelweis and Childbed Fever - Some are possible through:
- 5 days after childbirth, the mothers o Shared drug paraphernalia
would die out of shock
o Dirty bed sheets Causes of STDs
o Administered by doctors, not - Bacteria
midwifes. Doctors did - Virus
autopsies - Parasite

Joseph Lister and Safe surgery You are at high risk if:
- You need clean tools for operations - You have more than one sexual
partner
Epidemiology: John Snow - You have sex with someone with
- He was traumatized by cholera more than one sexual partner
- He started mapping cases in London, - You don’t use a condom
looking for where the cases were - You share needles when injecting IV
clustering drugs
- It had something to do with their
water pipeline, which was Reproduction, technology, and…
contaminated by the feces of a baby
who died of cholera Types of technology

Cancer Reproductive technology

- It is diagnosed more and more as - Providing individual prognoses on the
populations age likelihood of pregnancy
- Monitoring biomarkers in males and
Cancer diagnosis females
- Catching it earlier means living longer o Ovarian reserve
 To check how many
Cancer treatment: the range of possibilities eggs are left
- Surgery
- Radiation Follicle dynamics
- Chemotherapy - Histology section of a mature ovarian
- Hormonal therapy follicle. The oocyte is the large…
- Targeted therapy
Semen analysis
Future: personalized medicine - Evaluation of characteristics of semen
- Gene editing and sperm cells
- Organ regeneration - Some parameters measured:
- Personal diagnostics o Sperm count
o Motility
March 6, 2020 o Morphology
- Today we discussed birth rates and o Volume
sex ed but I don’t have notes o Fructose level
o pH
March 9, 2020 - predictor of success in fertilization
- up to 10% have observable defects
How do you get STDs?
- (unprotected) sexual intercourse with Assisted reproductive technology
infected partner - use f technology to treat low fertility
o Vaginal, anal, or oral or infertility
- Infected mother to child - main causes of infertility
 o hormonal malfunction
o A…

In vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Fertility Medication
- Drugs used to enhance reproductive
fertility
- Females
o To stimulate follicle
development
- Currently very few fertility
medications options for men

Hormone therapy/treatment
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
or menopausal hormone therapy
(MHT)
- Androgen replacement therapy (ART)
- Transgender hormone therapy

Human cloning
- Cloning of DNA using an egg cell
- Therapeutic cloning (stem cell
therapy)

Therapeutic cloning
- Injection of cells for better growth

Reproductive cloning
- Literally making another copy of you

Artificial womb/uterus

“Sex technology”
- Remote intimacy
- Virtual reality
- Robotic lovers