Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No. 8: GESTAS-1STSEM-2020-2021

College: ENGINEERING
Campus : BAMBANG

DEGREE PROGRAM BSCpE COURSE NO. GESTAS

SPECIALIZATION COURSE TITLE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
YEAR LEVEL FIRST YEAR TIME FRAME 3 hrs WK NO. 8 IM NO. 8

I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY AND THE HUMAN CONDITION

II. LESSON TITLE

TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING

III. LESSON OVERVIEW

This lesson will discuss the concept of human condition before science technology and the change that
happened in human condition

IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding on the concept of human condition before science and technology
2. Identify the change that happened in human condition after science and technology
3. Identify how technology aided in revealing the truth about the human being

V. LESSON CONTENT

Comparing the lives of the people before and now will make anyone realize the changes that happened
in society not just in term of culture, language or rights but more importantly, changes in people’s way of
life due to the existence of science and technology.
Generation gap, as we call it, mainly attribute to the changes brought about by technology. Although the
original idea of technology is for everyone, we cannot deny the fact that there are some people who are
comfortable of using these technologies. Older generation think that these technologies are too
complicated to operate that they still used the traditional way of living.
However, technology is the villain. Instead, it is a challenge for the people in science and technology on
how they make this technologies user friendly and simple. It is also a challenge for younger generation
to let the older generation adapt with these technologies. In this way, both, the old and new, generation
will enjoy the benefits of science and technology.
People is always fascinated with science and technology even in the early days. This fascination leads
them to numerous inventions that make their lives easier and help them in more ways than one.
People who lived in the past and people living in the present have different perspectives in human
flourishing because of the environment and the period one is in. The way of life and how the society
works also affects how one constructs the view of human flourishing. The drastic change in human life
not only leads to the drastic change in the conception of human flourishing, but also to actual human
condition which was brought about by science and technology.

Page 1 of 7
“In accordance with Section 185, Fair Use of Copyrighted Work of Republic
Act 8293 the copyrighted works included in this material may be reproduced
for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution”
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220)
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No. 8: GESTAS-1STSEM-2020-2021

The Human Condition before Common Era

The need to survive of the early ancestors paved way to the invention of several developments. Human
brain, more advanced than other creature on Earth, utilize abundant and available materials for their own
ease and comfort.
 Homo Erectus use fire to cook, through chipping one flint over the other to produce a spark without
realizing the laws of friction and heat
 Homo Sapiens use tools from stones such the simple machine called wedge
The particular period has no written accounts except for several drawings or carvings in caves and
unearthed artifacts from various parts of the world that would narrate the culture of the early human
beings. These can prove that there is a little capacity for our ancestors to contemplate and perceive
things outside themselves in a more reflective manner.
Soon enough, people discovered minerals and began forging metalwork. They realize that these
materials have distinct characteristics such as durability, malleability and luster comparing it to the
previous material. They also begin to use fur clothing and animal skin to protect their naked body from
harsh winds. They are able to draw a connection between their being naked and vulnerable due to some
lack of fur or protective covering that would help them stand extreme weather condition. They begin to
cover themselves out of necessity, and gradually, added several more to their garments. Early
accessories were also found in excavation sites which signifies that our ancestors have been deeply
engaged with beauty. Perhaps they have taken a liking to a certain shiny stone, or a perfectly shaped
bone.
Our ancestor’s curiosity on finding explanation to certain phenomena leads to finding answer through
religion. Figures has been excavated which are thought to be ceremonial, which the people in that time,
used these figures to honor deities. These deities or primitive gods includes objects they encounter in
their day to day lives, so it is not surprisingly that different tribes may have different gods.
 Some tribes may honor or worship majestic animals such as elephants
 Some living in windy places near mountains, may have a mountain god
 Those who are living in the coastal areas may have also a water god
 People of prior civilization shared several generic gods such as the sun
Like the people of today, our ancestors found the need to explain things in a ways that makes sense to
them. They attempted to justify that the events outside their control as being a work of a supernatural
being. Throughout history, religion is the strongest contender of science due to its being the most easily
grasped. Once people stop connecting the dots of cause and effect, they turn into believing to something
that explain their inadequacies in making sense of the world. The early people then acknowledge that
they could only do and understand as much, that perhaps other powers at play also existed alongside
them, that they were way behind several larger, more powerful forces in nature in terms of order of things.

The Human Condition in the Common Era

For a long time, humans were content with their relationship with nature. Earliest case of man – made
extinction occurred over 12,000 years ago, possibly brought upon by hunting and territorial disputes.
Driven their primal need to survive due to growing population, our ancestors start overhunting and
overfishing which cause several species to lose competition in territory and food resources. Formation of
communities caused human to expand more in territory and more people to feed and they were in
constant need for resources. The early solution was tribal wars until they were able to found out that
peaceful negotiation was also possible and that leads to the process of trading, leading to cross – town
and eventually cross – cultural interaction as more products were exchanged and the initial needs
extended to wants.

Page 2 of 7
“In accordance with Section 185, Fair Use of Copyrighted Work of Republic
Act 8293 the copyrighted works included in this material may be reproduced
for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution”
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220)
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No. 8: GESTAS-1STSEM-2020-2021

People then has a new objective – gather as much as products as possible. They have turned to wealth
as one of their goals as humans and ultimately as civilizations, for they perceived that those who have
many, live comfortably and thus are generally happier than those who do not have sufficient wealth. Thus
they begun to hunt, farm and produce things with prospect of profit. They also used their skills and got
compensated to it. Humanity became more complex. The primary gaol was not merely survive, but to live
a good life.
Technology has been instrumental in all of these because in searching for a good life, people were able
to come up with creations that would make life easier, more comfortable and more enriching.

Comparisons of Then and Now

Then Now
1. Mortality Rate  Women and children die  Medical care for premature
during birth infants
 Proper maternal care
2. Average Lifespan  People die in combat and  Less combat
diseases  Remedies to most diseases
 No access to medicine  Easy access to medicine
3. Literacy Rate  Low literacy rate  Access to education
4. Gross Domestic Product  None to low productivity  Higher country income
(GDP)

The Essence of Technology

Humanity was indeed come a long way from the primitive way to a more developed. Modern humans rely
on technology in the search for the good life. We see ways and means from nature to utilize and achieve
growth – a goal that we believe would bring forth betterment. This view of technology proves to be goal
– oriented, an instruments in achieving a goal in mind deliberate human minds to reach some greater
good.
Apart from its purpose, what is technology? Martin Heidegger, one philosopher, states that technology
can either be (1) means to achieve human end and (2) constitutes human activity. The second
perspective paints technology in such a way that each period reveals a particular character regarding
man’s being.
Humans have no idea of what to expect in a good life, rather, technology allows human to confront the
unknown and see how they would react. Humans appear not to really know what they are seeking for.
The path make not take humans to the right direction but may lead to endless circles instead in the pursuit
of a good life.
This is the danger presented by too much reliance on technology. Humans lose track of things that matter,
reducing their surroundings to their economic value. However, it was science and technology that gave
us explanations, which worked for humans and benefited them. Rejecting a working, tried – and – tested
process seems foolish, more so, knowing that there are no options of equal value. It will be absurd to
venture the dark and the unknown, but it should be done in order for us to retrace our steps to be able to
achieve the Good.

Page 3 of 7
“In accordance with Section 185, Fair Use of Copyrighted Work of Republic
Act 8293 the copyrighted works included in this material may be reproduced
for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution”
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220)
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No. 8: GESTAS-1STSEM-2020-2021

Backtracking the Human Condition

Technologies initial promises to be true, regardless of its ramifications. All in all the human condition
improved, only if by improving we measure the level of comfort, various scientific breakthroughs, and
improved lifestyles of those who has the luxury to afford to do so.
However, it appears that things really did not much differ.
 Some places are still battling for their survival – diseases, tribe wars, lack of habitable territories,
and competitions on resources
 People still wage wars on the basis of races, beliefs, and abundance of resources or territories
 Lot of people still subscribe to religion in explaining things that they do not know
 Some people turned their worships to reverence of science
 People are still trying to make sense of their existence in the world
It seems that the human condition, although more sophisticated, is nothing but a rehashed version of its
former self. Nothing much has changed since then, and it appears that nothing will change in the times
to come. We might begin considering other concepts, which corresponds to the Good, such as Aristotle’s
conception of human flourishing which evaluates the concept of virtue and its role in achieving the good
life.
Technological advancements are seemingly occurring in a rapid place that our morality cannot quite keep
up; no such consideration was given in this approach in achieving the good life.

Page 4 of 7
“In accordance with Section 185, Fair Use of Copyrighted Work of Republic
Act 8293 the copyrighted works included in this material may be reproduced
for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution”
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220)
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No. 8: GESTAS-1STSEM-2020-2021

VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

1. What would have happened to humankind if technology did not exist?

2. Do you agree with Martin Heidegger in his idea that technology should only be seen as one of the
approaches in perceiving truth? What are other possible approaches we should consider?

Page 5 of 7
“In accordance with Section 185, Fair Use of Copyrighted Work of Republic
Act 8293 the copyrighted works included in this material may be reproduced
for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution”
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220)
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No. 8: GESTAS-1STSEM-2020-2021

VIII. ASSIGNMENT

1. Role Playing in the New Normal. Try to imagine the world without technology. How do you think
your day – to – day life would be like? Do this by illustrating a scenario where a certain technological
innovation does not exist. Below are examples you could use:
a. Watch
b. Phone
c. Light Bulbs
d. Cars
e. Printing Press
f. Electricity

2. Philosophical Debate. Discuss whether technology is a means to an end or an end in itself. Find
your partner. One of you will support the notion that technology is an instrument to achieve human
goals, and the other support the notion that technology is what humanity does. List down pertinent
points and construct an individual position paper regarding your stance.

IX. REFERENCES

Serafica, J. J., Pawilen, G. T., Caslib, B. N., & Alata, E. P. (2018). Science, Technology and Society.
Quezon City: Rex Printing Company, Inc.

Page 7 of 7
“In accordance with Section 185, Fair Use of Copyrighted Work of Republic
Act 8293 the copyrighted works included in this material may be reproduced
for educational purposes only and not for commercial distribution”
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220)