MODULE 3

Science, Technology and Society and Human Condition

"Technology is a way of revealing. If we give heed to this, then another whole realm for the essence
of technology will open itself up to us. It is the realm of revealing, i.e., of truth."

-Martin Heidegger

Congratulations on making it to Module 3!

The progress of human civilizations throughout history mirrors the

development of science and technology. The human person, as both
the bearer and beneficiary of science and technology, flourishes and
finds meaning in the world that he/she builds. In the person’s pursuit
of the good life, he/she may unconsciously acquire, consume or
destroy what the world has to offer. It is thus necessary to reflect on
the things that truly matter. Science and technology must be taken as
part of human life that merits reflective and–as the German
philosopher Martin Heidegger says–meditative thinking. Science and
technology, despite its methodical and technical nature, gives
meaning to the life of a person making his/her way in the world. The
various gadgets, machines, appliances, and vehicles are all tools that
make human lives easier because they serve as a means to an end.
Their utility lies on providing people with a certain good,
convenience, or knowledge.

This module will introduce you how the progress of science and technology transformed human
condition oral and scientific thought and human experience of technology.

Specifically, this module will have

Lesson 1: Human Flourishing

Lesson 2: Technology as a Way of Revealing

Lesson 3: The Good Life

Lesson 4: When technology and Humanity Cross

 LESSON 1
Human Flourishing

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this Lesson, the student should be able to

 define human flourishing; identify different conceptions of human flourishing;

 determine the development of the scientific method
 cite the importance of human flourishing

Introduction:

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.
Pls. see the attached (MODULE 3 Lesson 1 PPT) for the readings.

Activity: 1

“ARISTOTLE ASKS”
Aristotle tries to begin with common sense. He doesn’t just want to build theory in thin air that have
no connection to reality. He just collects different opinions of different people about certain topic.
For your Activity you will ask the opinions of different people (at least 10) about the following
questions
A. What is happiness?
B. What is/are your goal/s in life?
C. How can you achieve your goal/s?
D. Who are the people you need to achieve your goal/s with?

Gather all the answers of the respondents. What are the top 3 most frequent answer?
A. What is happiness?
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3. _______________________________________________________________________

B. What is/are your goal/s in life?

1._______________________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________________

C. How can you achieve your goal/s?

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2. _______________________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________________

D. Who are the people you need to achieve your goal/s with?
1.________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________

CONCLUSION:
What is happiness from the data you’ve gathered from different respondents?
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(Source: Prieto et al,2019 . Science, Technology, and Society (OBE and PPST Based). AFT
Project write. LORIMAR PUBLISHING, INC.

Evaluation

Do the following to ensure mastery of the big ideas presented in this module.
1. Meaning of human flourishing
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2. Were we successful so far in trying to tie down technology with what we conceive as
human flourishing?
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3. Differentiate Eastern and Western Philosophy in terms of human flourishing.

Human
Flourishing

(Source: Prieto et al,2019 . Science, Technology, and Society (OBE and PPST Based).
AFT Project write. LORIMAR PUBLISHING, INC. and Source: Serafica, et al, 2018.
Science, Technology, and Society (1st Edition). Rex Bookstore, Inc)
 Abstraction:

Human flourishing is defined as being “good spirited” in the classical Aristotelian notion.
Humans generally have a notion on what is means to flourish; albeit in the advent of science
and technology, they chose to hinge their ends alongside that latters results. While it is true
that science equips its knowers some details about the world, its main claim to objectivity and
systematic methodology is at the very least flawed. However, that does not stop institutions
to favor those who excel in said discipline. Finally, the economic perception of enrichment,
otherwise known as growth, is the economic perception of enrichment, is heavily fueled by
technology and should be impeded. We have to rethink of our perception of a good life apart
from one presented in this regard.
(Source: Serafica, et al, 2018. Science, Technology, and Society (1st Edition). Rex
Bookstore, Inc)

Application:

To check your understanding, give one modern technology and examine its role in
human flourishing.

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LESSON 2 Technology as a Way of Revealing

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this Lesson, the student should be able to:

 Explain the concept of human condition before and after science technology;
 Identify the change that happened in human condition after science and technology;
and
 Name ways on how technology aided in revealing the truth about human being

Introduction:

Comparing the lives of the people before and now will make anyone realize the changes that
happened in society not just in terms of culture, language, or rights but more importantly,
changes in people's way of life due to the existence of science and technology.
Readings: attached PPT Lesson 2
Additional readings: Who is Martin Heidegger?
[Link]

Activity: 1

State the reason that brought about the invention, the advantage, disadvantage and
inventor.
Invention Advantage Disadvantage Inventor
a. Telescope
b. Television
c. microscope
d. radio
e. guns
f. internet
g. cellphones
h. cars
i. computer
 Analysis:

Questions:
a. What did you notice in the two (2) images?
b. What is the most striking difference between them?
c. What could have affected the development of the storage size of computers?
d. How has this particular development affected society in return?
Answer the questions in an essay form.

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 Abstraction:

Science and technology has been part of human activity since the beginning of
the species. It has aided us in survival and helped us outsmart adversaries, provided us comfortable
living, allowed us to explore the world, and assisted us in discovering more about ourselves and the
truth. However, it also leads us to a paradox in which we are only able to see the world in the lenses
of technological innovations. In our pursuit of growth, we had conveniently forgotten that technology
only presents one approach in viewing the world. This forgetfulness leads us to evaluate objects as
consumable or not-transcending to other human beings, determining their capacity to be productive.
Our evaluation of things became one dimensional, geared toward production of goods for more
consumption, which we believe would lead us to good life. This is only one conception of technology,
as Heidegger also proposed that technology is what humans do. Advancements in the field exposed
us to previously unknown predicaments, effectively helping us to reveal our own natures and
enforcing one perspective in finding the truth. Now that it is acknowledge, we can try and divert our
search to other approaches.
(Source: Serafica, et al, 2018. Science, Technology, and Society)

Application:

Evaluate the artwork, its aesthetics, and message based on Heideggerian thought.
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 LESSON 3 The Good Life

Learning Outcomes:

 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.

Introduction:

Aristotle’s views on living well begin with a consideration of ends and means. Suppose I want
a car—the car is my end or goal. I can earn, borrow, or steal the money to get the car—these are
my means. The means I choose depends on which is easier, quicker, likelier to succeed, etc. Thinking
about the goal we are aiming at, and the means we will employ to reach that goal is practical thinking.
But such thinking bears no fruit until it results in purposeful action, which is acting with some end,
goal, or purpose in mind. Purposeful action contrasts with aimless or thoughtless action, which is
action with no end in view.

Now suppose I get my car? That is itself a means to another end, say of getting to school or work.
And of course, getting to school or work is the means to another end, getting to class or a job. And
these are the means of making money, which is itself a means of buying food, clothing, and shelter,
which are the means of staying alive. Such considerations led Aristotle to wonder whether there is
any final or ultimate end, an end for which everything else is a means, an end that is not a means to
anything else. In short, he wanted to know if there is an ultimate end, goal, or purpose for human life.

Aristotle argued that as we mature, we act less aimlessly and more purposefully. We try to develop a
plan for living that unites all our various purposes. Without a plan for living, we don’t know what we
are trying to do or why we’re trying to do it. Moreover, not just any plan will do—we need the right
plan, which is one that aims at the final or ultimate end. But what is the final end of human life, the
end that all of us ought to aim at?

Additional materials for this lesson: Attached PPT Lesson 3- The Good Life and The Concepts of
the Public Good: A view from the Filipino Philosopher by Rolando Gripaldo (PDF)
And click the link below:
[Link]
 Activity:

From your own perspective, list down all the things that would make your life well
lived.
Things Reasons for wanting It

Abstraction:

Man is constantly in pursuit of the good life. Every person has his perspective when it comes
to what comprises the good life. Throughout history, man has worked hard in pointing out what
amounts to a good, happy life. Some people like the classical theorist thought that happiness of our
humanity, has been the focus of attention of this end goal. The soul has to attain a certain balance in
order to have a good life; a life of flourishing. It was only until the seventeenth century that happiness
became a centrepiece in the lives of people, even becoming a full blown ethical foundation in johns
Stuart Mill’s utilitarianism. At present, we see multitudes of schools of thought that all promise their
own key to finding happiness. Science and technology has been, for the most part, at the forefront of
man’s attempt at finding this happiness. The only question at the end of the day is whether science is
taking the right path toward attaining what it really means to live a good life.

(Source: Serafica, et al, 2018. Science, Technology, and Society)

 Application:

Read and write a reflection:

The Concepts of the Public Good: A view from the Filipino Philosopher by Rolando Gripaldo (PDF)

When Technology and Humanity Cross

LESSON 3

Learning Outcomes:

 Identify the different technological advancements in society;

 Describe the development of science and technology in the Philippines; and
 Discuss the effects of the interplay between technology and humanity through
dilemmas they face.
Introduction:

No, one can escape the use of technology in our daily life. Over the years, technology has
revolutionized our view of the world. In this modernized world, we might not experience the
massive change because technology is gradually changing our life. Also, we must accept it
that modern technology has made it possible for the discovery of many functional and utility
devices, which made our experience and work much more comfortable. This lesson will tackle
the good and the dilemmas of technological advancements.

Additional materials for this lesson: Attached PPT Lesson 4- When Technology and Humanity Cross
and The Development of Technology for Human Civilization by Thohari [Link], (PDF)
Must see links:
[Link]
 Activity:

List down three devices that can be found in your home. Explain how this devices
occupies your time whenever you are inside home.

Devices Explain how this devices occupies your time

Abstraction:

In modern times, there are different technological advancement in all forms and sizes may it
be inside the home, the workplace, the learning place, or simply on the streets. It is now very
accessible to almost anyone in the world. It is not completely impossible to say that each person in
the world. It is not completely impossible to say that each person in the world owns at least one
technological device. Besides, technology it can perform simple task regularly can already be
considered a form of technology. However, despite its usefulness and beneficial characteristics,
advancements. To be more specific, these problems are ethical in nature that involve not only the
machine but also the mankind. It is now impossible for technology and humanity not to cross paths
because as some 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 to ensure the safety and morality of
these devices to people.
 Application:

Give one technology that had a huge impact in the human race and what are the positive
effect of this technology and its dilemmas.

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References:
Gripaldo, Rolando. “The Concepts of the Public Good: A View from the Filipino Philosopher” in
The Making of a Filipino Philosopher and Other Essays, pp. 82-100, National Bookstore,
2009.
Prieto N. G, Vega V.A, Felipe E.F and Meneses J.L ,2019 . Science, Technology, and Society (OBE
and PPST Based). AFT Project write. LORIMAR PUBLISHING, INC.
Serafic JPP, Pawilen G.T,Caslib, B.N, Alata EJ.P, 2018. Science, Technology, and Society First
Edition, Rex Books Store, Rex Publishing.856 Nicanor Reyes Sr. St, Manila Philippines
Symbiosis (YOUTUBE CHANNEL), Uploaded Feb.28, 2018. How technology Transform Us link:
[Link]