Science, Technology & Society Notes
Ethics and Science – A Necessary Connection
"Imagine if science had no limits—if we could do anything, discover anything, without asking
whether it was right or wrong. Would that be a good thing? Or would it lead to chaos?"
1. Science is Apathetic – C.S. Lewis’s Warning
Let’s start with a bold statement: Science doesn’t care about right or wrong. It simply tells us
what is, not what should be.
C.S. Lewis once said, “Science must be guided by some ethical basis that is not dictated by
science itself.” What does this mean? It means that science can give us powerful tools—nuclear
energy, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence—but it doesn’t tell us how to use them
responsibly.
Example: Think about AI. Should we allow AI to replace human jobs? Should we let it make life-
or-death decisions in hospitals? Science can make these things possible, but ethics tells us
whether we should do them.
2. The Neoplatonic Good – Why Ethics Matters
Now, let’s connect this to the Neoplatonic concept of the good.
Neoplatonists argue that a society cannot function well without a strong moral foundation. If we
let science advance without ethical guidance, we might create a world where progress happens
at the cost of human dignity and justice.
Example: During World War II, scientists made medical discoveries through unethical human
experiments. The knowledge gained was real, but the way it was obtained was morally wrong.
This shows why ethical standards must shape how we pursue knowledge.
Ethics plays a very important role in society. That's why naa tay Good life na topic aning STS
noh kay..what the Commission on Higher Education want is to impart reflective knowledge on
learners so that some day they can develop innovative, creative solutions to contemporary
issues guided by ethical standards. So it's important that we should know the role of science
together with ethics in achieving good life. The question is..
3. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics – Knowledge + Virtue = The Good Life
Now, let’s bring Aristotle into the conversation. In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle talks about
eudaimonia, or the "good life." He believed that true happiness doesn’t just come from
knowledge—it comes from using knowledge wisely and virtuously.
(READ THAT TABLE 1)
So, Aristotle would say that scientists shouldn’t just be smart—they should be good people who
use their intelligence for the benefit of society. Science without virtue is dangerous. But when
science and ethics work together, they lead to human flourishing.
Speaking of human flourishing...the players of it are not just scientists noh...kun dili kita
pod...mga normal folks. So Eudaimonia let's go back to it after aning types of good since
connectado siya sa intrinsic good.
1. TYPES OF GOOD
Aristotle believed that everything we do aims toward some good. But not all goods are equal. He
categorized them into two types:
• Instrumental Goods – Things that are good only because they help us achieve something else.
This includes pleasure, wealth, fame and honor. Example of pleasure aspect is using cellphone
for entertainment, eating our favorite dishes and going to our dream destination..
• For fame aspect..example ani kay striving to be famous and recognized. While it's very
common to do in this age of social media, history tells us that it won't do good if we let it control
us. Like famous individuals (name a few) who commit suicide because of the societal pressure
of maintaining their reputation.
• You see how instrumental good go up and down..that why it is termed as transitory noh kay
pansamantala or magbag-o² na sila.
• Intrinsic Goods – Things that are valuable in themselves and lead to true happiness.
Example: Act of Kindness (being helpful and caring of others), Respect (practice of valuing and
honoring) and Appreciation (being grateful to people noh (your parents, friends, classmate,
teachers)..being grateful towards nature as well as animals..Each act are valuable in
themselves..meaning ug buhaton gyud maka led ug true happiness kay good man sila daan.
Since not all good are equal according to Aristotle...ask yourself are you living with more
instrumental good in you or more intrinsic good?
4. The Tripartite Soul – Why Only Humans Can Achieve Eudaimonia
Aristotle described three types of souls:
• Nutritive Soul (plants) – Focuses on growth and survival.
• Sensitive Soul (animals) – Can feel and perceive the world.
• Rational Soul (humans) – Capable of reasoning, morality, and philosophy.
Only humans, with our rational soul, can truly pursue Eudaimonia because we have the ability to
reflect and make ethical decisions. This is why C.S. Lewis’s warning about science is so
relevant—science alone is neutral, but humans must use wisdom to guide its impact on society.