Science Technology and Society

LESSON 2
TECHNOLOGY AS A
WAY OF REVEALING
LESSON OBJECTIVES

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

•explain the concept of human condition before 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
the 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.

The term “generation gap” is attributed mainly to the changes

brought about by technology. Although the original idea is not
everyone is comfortable in using the different kinds of
technologies. Mostly those who belong to the older generation
think that these technologies are too complicated to operate. They
have been used to the simple living in the past and these available
technological devices, though very appealing, are a difficult puzzle
 The Human
Condition Before
Common Era

•Our early ancestors’ primal need to survive paved

way for the invention of several developments. Gifted
with brains more advanced than other creatures,
humans are able to utilize abundant materials for
their own ease and comfort. As it is difficult to
pinpoint the particular period where technology is
said to have started, one can say that at the very
least, the motivation to make Things easier has been
around since humans are. Homo erectus have been using
fire to cook, through chipping one flint over the
other to produce a spark, all the while without
realizing the laws of friction and heat.
The Human Condition Before Common Era

•Tools from stone and flints

marked the era of the Stone Age,
during the advent of our very Erectus
own Homo sapiens(Modern Human), sapiens
and humans began to sharpen
stones as one would a knife; an
example of this is the simple
machine called wedge. which is a
simple machine that uses a sharp
edge to split or cut through
materials. Proof of their
culture: cave carvings &
unearthed artifacts from various
parts of the world
 The Human Condition Before Common Era

• there are several excavations in

different parts of Europe of miniature
statues prevalent during the
Paleolithic period(or Old Stone Age),
the so-called "Venus" figure It
depicts a rudimentary carving of a
voluptuous woman out of ivory or
stone. It infer that the humans of
yesterday have a certain fixation on
the human anatomy.
 The Human
The Condition BeforeBefore
Human Condition Common Era Era
Common

soon enough, people discovered metals and

began forging metalwork(the art of making
things out of metal). They realized that
these substances are more durable, Some of those found at excavation
malleable(to bent and shaped without sites are reminiscent of early
breaking it), and have more luster than accessories, suggesting that our
the previous material. ancestors have been deeply engaged
in the concept of beauty. Perhaps,
they had taken a liking to a
certain shiny stone, or a
perfectly shaped bone, and wanted
to wear it as trophy.
The Human Condition Before
Common Era

•Ancient people didn’t understand

how many things actually worked.
They would therefore try to
understand these things by giving
them a personality. They quickly
realized that there are events
outside of their control and
attempted to justify things as
being a work of a supernatural
being. religion remains to be the
strongest contender to science
arguably due to its being the most
easily grasped.
The Human Condition in Common
Era
 The Human Condition in Common
Era
Earliest case of man-made extinction occurred over 12,000 years ago, possibly
brought upon by hunting and territorial disputes.

The Holocene extinction/sixth

extinction/Anthropocene extinction, occurred
from as early as between 100,000 to 200,000
years up to the present. It pertains to the
ongoing extinction of several species—both
flora(plant life) and fauna(animal life) due
to human activity. Driven by their primal need
to survive and gaining the upper hand in terms
of development and adaptability, humans were
quick to find ways to drive off other
megafaunas(large animal) threatening a
prospective hunting spot and eventually,
settling grounds.
 The Human Condition in Common Era

Even as a community, the people realized that though they were at most
self-sufficient, they were in constant need of resources. Although waging
wars with other tribes seemed to be the early solution,

they were able to find that engaging in a peaceful negotiation was also a
possible and less bloody method. They realized that they could get hold of
things not present in their towns by offering something of same value
present in theirs. It is in the process that trade emerged, leading to
cross-town and and cross-cultural interaction as more products were
exchanged and the initial needs extended to wants. People then had a new
objective—gather as much 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.
 The Human Condition in Common
Era

When they could not sell products, they used their skills and
got compensated for it—bringing forth a specialized group of
artisans. Humanity became more complex. The primary goal was
not merely to survive, but to live the good life.
 •They perceive death as, at the very least, unpleasant and concocted
potions to ward evil off from their kinsmen, often appealing to their
The Human Condition in gods for blessings. Medicine was thus born, although it would take a
Common Era considerably long time before it part ways with potion. They became
fixated with gold and were adamant in procuring more, trying to use
incantations with mixtures of substances to turn lead into one. This
ultimately paved way for the emergence of chemistry in its primitive
form, not quite distinct from alchemy.
•Position-wise, the humans of
today are much better off
compared to humans several
centuries ago. Advancements in
medicine, technology, health,
and education ushered in
humanity's best yet, and show
no sign of stopping. Below are
some of the notable
comparisons then and now:
• [Link] Rate. Due to technology, lesser women and children
die during birth, assuring robust population and strong
workforce. Medical care for premature infants allows them to
survive and develop normally, while proper maternal care ensures
that mothers can fully recover and remain empowered.

• [Link] Lifespan. Aside from the reason that people engage

less in combat and are less likely to die in treatable diseases
now as opposed to then, science is able to prolong lives by
enhancing living status and discovering different remedies to
most diseases. Distribution of medicines is also made easier and
faster.
• [Link] Rate. Access to education provided to more
individuals generally creates a more informed public that could
determine a more just society.

• [Link] Domestic Product (GDP). Although not an indicator of an

average person's lifestyle in a certain country, it is often
used to determine the value of the country's goods and services
produced within the territory given a certain time period.
Higher country income is brought upon by high productivity,
often an indicator of presence of technology.
The Essence of Technology
Humanity has indeed come a long way from our primitive
ways, and as a general rule, it is said that we are more
"developed" than we were before. Above data are few
indicators of the route that we have come to take as
species, and there are no signs of stopping. Modern humans
are reliant on technology in their 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.
•Martin Heidegger a
philosopher argued that
the essence of technology,
or purpose, and being are
different from each other.
To achieve man's end and
second which constitutes
human activity.

He was able to expound on this point upon

identifying that technology can either be
perceived as;
• First a means to achieve man’s end- tools,
equipment and other things that we use for
specific needs (instrumental definition)

• Second, one which constitutes human activity-

we use technology for our own use or purpose
(anthropological definition)
DANGER!!!
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. As this presents
strong backing by the sciences whose reverence is
also brought upon by our deluded enchantment with
technology, it will prove to be a herculean task to distance
ourselves from this perspective and consider alternatives.
BACKTRACKING
THE HUMAN
CONDITION
Technology’s initial promises proved 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
had the luxury to afford to do so . Different machineries aid in prolonging lives-
assisting those with disabilities, honing efficiency in industrial workplaces, and
even exploring the universe for places we can thrive once all the Earth’s resources
are depleted. As to the initial aims, it appears that things really did not much
differ. Some places in the world are still battling for their daily survival-
diseases, tribe wars, lack of habitable territories, and competitions on resources
are several factors contributing to such. People still wage wars on the basis of
races, belief, and abundance of resources and/or territory; except that now, they
are able to inflict such in a global scale. A lot of people still subscribe to
religion in explaining things that they do not know. For those who have ceased to do
so, they have turned their worships to reverence of science.
THANK YOU!
TOPIC 2:
ALBAO
FERMALAN