Maoris Jovial Y.
Pido SC: 135 July 3, 2024
GESocSci 6: STS Module 2 Section 2 Exercise 1. Reading Comprehension Task
1. What is the framework of de-development of rich countries all about?
- The framework proposes that instead of pushing or developing poor countries to “catch-up”
with rich ones, we should focus more on the process of allowing society’s upper class to
slow down their consumption or “catch-down” to more appropriate level of development.
2. How is the de-development framework different from traditional frameworks of development?
- Traditional framework of development focuses more on making strategies to eradicate
poverty by growing the economy. While, the de-development framework focuses more on
leveling down the growth of those who are classified as rich to prevent overconsumption.
3. According to Hickel, how can rich countries de-develop?
- According to Hickel, rich countries can de-develop by controlling or reducing their
consumption of resources. There are many expensive things they purchase that they really
don’t need but just to show off their status.
4. Why does Hickel from upon pundits using terms such as de-growth, zero growth, or de-
development in describing an alternative framework?
- Hickel used terms such as de-growth, zero growth, or de-development to point out that our
world has already grown too much, and that we should reduce consuming, producing, and
de-develop products that is not really a necessity for our survival.
5. Some people might think that de-development is about giving things up. How does Hickel
explain that this is not the case?
- Hickel explained his point by emphasizing that de-development pertains to a step toward
understanding and being aware of the reason for our life and purpose. It is not about being
miserable; the goal is to have a happy and productive life. It is not preventing mankind from
progressing, but rather helping it to find balance and harmony and rise as a whole.
Maoris Jovial Y. Pido SC: 135 July 3, 2024
GESocSci 6: STS Module 2 Section 2 Exercise 2. Personal Consumption Audit
My Personal Consumption Audit
Product/Food Average daily, weekly, or No. of hours/day I Impact of this ‘de-
monthly amount reduce/do away with developing’ on my
consumed everyday living
1. Mobile phone Ten (10) hours/day Five (5) hours/day By consuming more time
being away from my
mobile phone, I’ll have
more time to do chores,
study, and bond with my
family or friends.
2. Eating Sweets Twice (2) /day Twelve to Twenty-four By reducing the sweets I
(12-24) hours/ day consume every week, I
can keep my body
healthy and may also
help me lose weight.
3. Watching Three (3) hours/day Ten (10) hours/day By reducing my time
Television watching television, I can
concentrate more on my
studies and reduce
electricity consumption
as well.
4. Use of Air Eight (8) hours/ day Sixteen (16) hours/day Using Air Conditioner
Conditioner only the time when I go
to sleep and wake up
early to turn it off will
also help reduce
electricity consumption
and bills.
5. Online Once (1) in every two (2) Two to Four (2-4) weeks The longer the time
Purchasing weeks before the next item I
purchase online, the
more money I save.
Maoris Jovial Y. Pido SC: 135 July 3, 2024
GESocSci 6: STS Module 2 Section 2 Assignment 6. Documentary Film Analysis
1. Why was C. S. Lewis very much a skeptic and critic of scientism? Was he against science?
- C. S. Lewis was not against science but rather opposed to scientism. Scientism is the view
that science and the scientific method are the best or only way to render truth about the
world and reality. But he thought that science could be corrupted and that some people
could pursue science because they wanted power over the world and power over other
people in particular.
2. How did C.S. Lewis explain the following:
2.1. Science as religion
- According to Lewis, the first way science and magic are similar is their ability to function as a
religion. He explains that the magical view of the world can give one a sense that there is
something more than just our everyday lives that we don’t ordinarily experience, and strikes
a deep chord that something is higher than ourselves.
2.2. Science as credulity
- According to Lewis, the second way that science and magic are similar is their
encouragement of a lack of skepticism. In magic, there is something called like a witch
doctor and people believe anything it says. And so, we can say that magical thinking can
promote a type of credulous thinking and we just trust what the authority figure says.
Particularly, in the modern world, people also will believe almost anything if it is dressed up
in the name of science.
2.3. Science as power
- According to Lewis, the third way that science and magic are similar is the quest for power.
In the magical world, magician’s wand has power and wanted to harness the deeper powers
of nature in order to control it. Similarly, Lewis said that much, not all, of modern science
was actually devoted towards power over the world. People in the 20th Century hoped that
science would usher a new age of peace and prosperity.
3. Why did C. S. Lewis think that modern science is far more dangerous than magic?
- Lewis think that modern science is far more dangerous than magic because magic fails and
is more likely a fantasy. Magic is not so dangerous because people cannot use it to control
the world. On the other hand, modern science has the potential. If one can find the right
drugs, the right treatment, one can manipulate others.
4. Why did C.S. Lewis become increasingly concerned about the rise of scientocracy? How does
scientocracy relate to scientism?
- Lewis becomes increasingly concerned about the rise of scientocracy because it is the effort
hand over the reigns of cultural and political power to an elite group of experts claiming to
speak in the name of science. We cannot guarantee that if we hand it over them, they could
manipulate it to gain what they want.
5. Based on what you learned in the documentary film, how does scientism pose a threat to the
human person flourishing in science and technology? Why should science be guided by an
ethical basis that is not dictated by science itself?
- Scientism poses a threat to the human flourishing in science and technology because
eventually he could use them as to manipulate others. He could be blinded to thought that
he has the ‘power’ to do things he wants to do, even it is bad. That’s why it is also important
that science should be guided by an ethical basis. Without guidance, science itself may be
used as to dominate others