INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

MODULE 1

What is Science?

You have taken up science subjects since primary school years, and the definition of science
has been repeatedly discussed since then. To give you a recall, Science comes from the
Latin word scientia, meaning ‘knowledge’. It refers to a systematic and methodical activity of
building and organizing knowledge about how the universe behaves through observation,
experimentation or both. Let’s discuss the nature of science below for you to understand it
better.

The Nature of Science

It is important to understand the nature of science because it is a critical component of

scientific literacy. It enhances your understanding of science concepts and enables you to
make informed decisions about scientifically-based personal and societal issues. The
following sums up the nature of science:

The World is Understandable

Science presumes that the things and events in the universe occur in consistent patterns that
are comprehensible through careful, systematic study. Scientists believe that through the use
of the intellect, and with the aid of instruments that extend the senses, people can discover
patterns in all of nature.

Science Explains and Predicts

Scientists strive to make sense of observations of phenomena by constructing explanations

that are consistent with currently accepted scientific principles. Such explanations or theories
may be either broad or restricted, but they must be logically sound and incorporate a
significant body of scientifically valid observations. The credibility of scientific theories often
comes from their ability to show relationships among phenomena that previously seemed
unrelated. For example, the theory of moving continents, has grown in credibility as it has
shown relationships among diverse phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanoes, the match
between types of fossils on different continents, the shapes of continents, and the contours of
the ocean floors.
Science Demands Evidence

The validity of scientific claims is settled by referring to observations of phenomena. Hence,

scientists concentrate on getting accurate data. Such evidence is obtained by observations
and measurements taken in situations that range from natural settings (such as a forest) to
completely contrived ones (such as the laboratory). To make their observations, scientists use
their own senses, instruments (such as microscopes) that enhance those senses, and
instruments that tap characteristics quite different from what humans can sense (such as
magnetic fields). Scientists observe passively (earthquakes, bird migrations), make
collections (rocks, shells), and actively probe the world (as by boring into the earth's crust or
administering experimental medicines).

Scientific Ideas are Open to Change

Science is more of a process than a set body of knowledge. Scientists are always testing and
revising their ideas, and as new observations are made, existing ideas may be challenged.
Ideas may be replaced with new ideas that better fit the facts, but more often existing ideas
are simply revised. For example, when scientists discovered how genes control genetic traits,
they didn't throw out Mendel's laws of inheritance. The new discoveries helped to explain why
Mendel's laws apply to certain traits but not others. They showed that Mendel's laws are part
of a bigger picture. Through many new discoveries over time, scientists gradually build an
increasingly accurate and detailed understanding of the natural world.

Science is a Complex Social Activity

Scientific work involves many individuals doing many different kinds of work and goes on to
some degree in all nations of the world. Men and women of all ethnic and national
backgrounds participate in science and its applications. These people --- scientists and
engineers, mathematicians, physicians, technicians, computer programmers, librarians, and
others --- may focus on scientific knowledge either for its own sake or for a particular practical
purpose, and they may be concerned with data gathering, theory building, instrument building,
or communicating.

Science Cannot Provide Complete Answers to All Questions

There are many matters that cannot usefully be examined in a scientific way. There are, for
instance, beliefs that --- by their very nature --- cannot be proved or disproved (such as the
existence of supernatural powers and beings, or the true purposes of life). In other cases, a
scientific approach that may be valid is likely to be rejected as irrelevant by people who hold
to certain beliefs (such as in miracles, fortune-telling, astrology, and superstition). Nor do
scientists have the means to settle issues concerning good and evil, although they can
sometimes contribute to the discussion of such issues by identifying the likely consequences
of particular actions, which may be helpful in weighing alternatives.

What is Technology?

Technology, the word often attached side by side with science comes from the Greek word
techne, meaning ‘art, skill or cunning of hand’. Technology involves the development and use
of materials, tools, and approaches for solving human problems and helping to fulfill human
needs and desires. Many of the products of technology help humans accomplish tasks that
would otherwise be very difficult or impossible to carry out. Although technology provides
many benefits, it also produces associated costs and risks. Technology is also a way of
knowing, and is also a process of exploration and experimentation. Technology is both a form
of knowledge that uses concepts and skills from other disciplines and the application of this
knowledge to meet an identified need or to solve a specific problem using materials, energy,
and tools.

Relationship between Science, Technology, and Society

Science, technology and society are closely linked, especially through scientific inquiry,
technological problem solving, and communication. Science frequently utilizes and requires
tools and processes developed by technology, and conversely, technology often employs
principles, laws, theories, and processes developed by means of science. The society as we
know it today has been affected in many ways by science and technology.

For example, society demands for an easy-access, extensive and frequent communication.
This leads to the research and development of an ever widening array of mobile phone
capabilities. Access to these capabilities, in turn, influenced the way humans live. As the
society relies more and more on mobile phones, additional features were continuously
requested to improve like increasing speed of phone processors, the use of touch-enabled
screens, or the implementation of mobile internet access, and the cycle continues.
 MODULE 2

HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

In the ancient times, people were concerned with transportation and navigation,
communication and record keeping, mass production, power and energy, security and
protection, as well as health, observation, and measurement, aesthetics, engineering, and
architecture. A primary challenge they faced was the conservation of life. The early people
might have been successful in harnessing the rich resources that the world could provide but
their survival posed a great problem. Different illnesses and diseases, both natural and man-
made, hampered the full potential of a human being. Given this predicament, science and
technology played a major role in the discovery of cures, if not the prevention of illness.
Moreover, in order to integrate their needs for better transportation, establishment of
structures for protection from human attacks and natural disasters, and construction of bigger
and stronger infrastructure. Furthermore, the people were not contented on beautifying their
infrastructures and surrounding but more on being able to prolong life with the mass
production of food and advancement of medical technology, as well as raising the quality of
life.

The rise of ancient civilizations such as Sumerians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks,

Romans, and Chinese paved the way for advances in science and technology. Their
contributions not only allowed these ancient civilizations to flourish, but also paved the way for
the developments of many other science and technology innovations.

Some of the important historical antecedents of much more modern science and technology
innovations which were discovered in the ancient times include the ancient wheel, paper,
shadoof, Antikythera mechanism, and aeolipile. To learn more about these technologies,
read page 18 – 19 of your STS textbook. Make sure that when you read about these
technological innovations, you are mindful of their impact to modern times. However, it
should be noted that many more scientific and technological innovations were developed
during ancient times.

WHAT IS ANTECEDENT?

-An antecedent is defined as a precursor to the unfoldinq or existence of something.

-Antecedent, which according to Quinto (2019) are factors that paved the way for the
presence of advanced and sophisticated scientific and ethnological innovations today.
-Knowledge of the history of science and technology is useful in appraising these

innovations today. By understanding how previous generations influenced and

were influenced by developments in science and technology, today's generation

can come up with informed decisions on the proper application of science and

technology to daily life.

-Historical antecedent across time: Ancient Period, Middle Ages and Modern Ages.

ANCIENT PERIOD

-The rise of ancient civilization paved the way for advances in science and
technology. These advances during the Ancient period allowed civilization to flourish
by finding better ways of A communication, transportation, self-organization and of
living in general.

- The rise of ancient civilization such as Sumerians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks,

Romans and Chinese paved the way for advances in Science and Technology.

ANCIENT WHEEL

-The ancient wheel grew out of mechanical device called potter's

wheel- a heavy flat disk made of hardened clay which was spun

horizontally on an axis. It is believed that the Sumerians invented the

potter's wheel shortly after 3500 BC

- It could be that a potter thought of shifting the potter's wheel to a 90-

degree angle for the purpose of transportation or the wheel was

reinvented for this purpose. Nonetheless, it would not be until 1000 to

1500 years later that the wheel was first used on carts.

- PAPER

-Roughly around 3000 BC, the ancient Egyptians began to write on papyrus, a

material similar to thick paper. Papyrus is made from the pith of the papyrus plant

cyperus papyrus. It is light weighted, strong, durable, and most importantly,

portable. Before the Egyptians invented the papyrus, writing was done on stone.
- SHADOOF

-The shadoof was an early tool invented and used by ancient Egyptians to irrigate

land. Among Egyptians who lived near the Nile River, irrigation was necessary to

water their crops. The shadoof, also spelled shaduf, is a hand-operated device used

for lifting water. It's invention introduced the idea of lifting things using

counterweights. Because of it's invention irrigation and farming became much more

efficient.

ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM

-Even before the invention of the antecedents of the modern computer, the Greeks had
already invented the ancient world's analog computer orrery. Discovered in 1902 and

retrieved from the waters of Antikythera, Greece, the Antikythera mechanism is

similar to mantle clock.

- It is akin to a clock in the way that the case has circular face and rotating hands. A
knob on a side makes it possible for it to be wound forward and backward.
Antikythera mechanism was used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses for

calendar and astrological purposes.

AEOLIPILE

- Also known as Hero's Engine, the aeolipile is widely believed to be the ancient
precursor of the steam engine. Hero of Alexandria is credited for the demonstration of
the use of the aeolipile during the 1st century AD. The aeolipile is steam powered
turbine which spun when the water container as its center heated. Believed to be
temple wonders at the time. Vitruvius, a roman author, architect and civil eingeneer,
described the aeolipile as scientific invention through which "the mighty and
wonderful laws of the heavens and the nature of wind" may be understood and judge.

MIDDLE AGES

-Between the collapse of the Roam Empire in 5th Century AD and the colonial
expansion of Western Europe in 15th century AD, major advances in scientific and
technological development took place

-These include increase of new inventions, introduction of innovation in traditional

production, and emergence of scientific thinking and method. The middle ages was
not as stagnant as alternate terms such as the 'Medieval Period' or 'Dark Ages' suggest.
In fact,many medieval universities at the time stirred scientific thinking and built
infrastructures for scientific communities to flourish.

- HEAVY PLOUGH

-Perhaps the most important technological innovation during the middle ages is the
innovation of the heavy plough. Through the invention of the heavy plough, it became
possible to harness clay soil.

-Professor Thomas Bernebeck Anderson of the University of Southern Denmark

succinctly describes the impact of the invention of the heavy plough: "The heavy
plough turned European agriculture and economy on it's head. Suddenly the

fields with the heavy fatty, and most clay soils became those that gave the greatest
yield".

GUNPOWDER

-Around 850 AD, Chinese alchemist accidentally invented black powder or

gunpowder. Multiple accounts suggest that the gunpowder might have been an
unintended by product of attempts made by Chinese to invent the elixir of life, which
was why the Chinese called it huoyao, roughly translated as "fire potion". Prior to the
inventions of gunpowder, swords and spears were used in battles and wars.

PAPER MONEY

-Although it was not until the 17th century that bank notes began to used in Europe,
the first known version of paper money could be traced back to the Chinese in 17th
century AD as an offshoot of the invention of block printing, which was similar to
stamping. However, the idea of assigning value to the marked piece of paper did not
immediately become popular. Nonetheless traders and merchants eventually realized
the huge advantage of using paper money because it was easier to transport around
compared to the previous forms or currencies that is precious metals such as gold and
silver.

MECHANICAL CLOCK

The development of mechanical clocks paved the way for accurately keeping track of
time. The sophistication of clockwork technology of the mechanical clock drastically
changed the way days were spent and work patters were established, particularly in
the more advanced Middle Age cities.

SPINNING WHEEL

-Another important invention of the Middle Ages is the spinning wheel, a machine
used for transforming fiber into thread or yarn and eventually woven into cloth on a
loom.

-Although no consensus could be made regarding the origin of the spinning wheel, it
is theorized that the Indians invented the spinning wheel between 6th and 11th
century AD.

- According to White (1974), the invention of spinning wheel sped up the rate at
which fiber could be spun by a factor of 10 to 100 times. Thus, White argued that this
invention ushered in a breakthrough in linen production when it was introduced in
Europe in 13th century AD.

MODERN AGES

-As the world population steadily increased, people of Modern Ages realized the
utmost importance of increasing the efficiency of transportation, communication and
production.

-Industrialization took place with greater risks in human health, food safety, and
environment which had to be addressed as scientific and technological progress
unfolded at an unimaginable speed.

COMPOUND MICROSCOPE

-A Dutch spectacle maker named Zacharias Jansen is credited for the invention of the
first compound microscope in 1590. together with his father Hans, Zacharias began
experimenting with lenses by putting together several lenses on a tube. This led to an
amazing discovery that an object, when placed near the end of the tube, can be
magnified far larger than what a simple magnifying lens can do.

-It was capable of magnifying objects three times their size when fully closed and up
to ten times when extended to the maximum. Today the compound microscope is an
important instrument in many scientific studies, such as in the areas of medicine,
forensic studies, tissue analysis, atomic studies and genetics.
JACQUARD LOOM

In 1801, the Frenchman Joseph Jacquard invented a loom in which the raising of the

warp threads was controlled by punched cards. Each harness was replaced by a

collection of hooks linked to the warp threads, and each collection of hooks could

be raised or lowered as a group. This in itself was nothing new.such draw looms had

existed for hundreds of years.Typically, such looms had two operators: the master

weaver who sat at the front of the loom, and the drawboy who was an apprentice
weaver and sat within the loom itself, raising the hooks at the command of the master

weaver. What Jacquard did, though, was to mechanize not only the physical power of
the drawboy but also the skill of the master. Instead of the drawboy raising and court

lowering the groups of hooks, this process was controlled by cards of wood or paper
with holes punched in them. Each card in turn passed into a box containing many
small wires that were connected to the hooks.The tips of the wires were pressed onto
the punched card, and where there was a hole for a wire to pass through the card, the

corresponding warp thread would be raised, thus forming the pattern, row by row-and
card by card.

Modern TelescopesFirst modern telescopes were created in early 17th

century, after more than 2 thousand years of slow exploration of properties of
optics, rays of light and lenses. However, as soon as first models of telescope
were popularized by Dutch spectacle-makers and by telescope made by
Galileo Galilei, telescopes (and its smaller cousin binoculars) become
commonplace across entire world and improved with each passing decade. 

INVENTIONS OF FILIPINO SCIENTIST

- ENGINE POWERED AIRPLANE

-Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright are credited for designing and successfully
operating the first engine-powered aircraft. The Wright brothers approached the
design of powered aircraft and fight scientifically. Orville and Wilbur proved that
aircraft could fly without the airfoil-shaped wings. They demonstrated this in their
original flying machine patent (US patent #821393), showing that slightly-tiled wings,
which they referred to as aeroplanes, were the key features of a powered

aircraft. Their pioneering success marked an age of powered flights.

- TELEVISION

-The Scottish Engineer John Logie Baird id largely credited for the invention of the
modern television. Baired successfully televised objects in the outline in 1942,
recognizable human faces in 1925, and moving objects in 1926, and projected colored
images in 1928. despite the first television invented, Bird's television was later on

criticized for it's fuzzy and flickering images primarily because it was mechanical
compared to electronic versions that were developed much later.

ELECTRONIC JEEPNEY (E-JEEPNEY]

-The jeepney is perhaps one of the most recognizable national symbols of the
Philippines and the most popular mode of public transportation in the country.
Jeepneys were designed and improvised from scratch out of military jeeps that the
American left after World War I. The e-jeepney is the inventive response

to criticsm to the traditional jeepney that belched smoke,directly causing air pollution
which made it unsustainable and uneconomical. E-jeeneys are designed to be
environtmental friendly, eliminating noise and pollution as they run on

electricity.

- ERYTHROMYCIN

-The Ilongo scientist Abelardo Aquilar invented the antibiotic out of a strain of
bacterium called Streptomyces erythreus, from which this drug derived its name. As
with the case of several other local scientist, however Aguilar was not credited for this
discovery by Eli Lilli co., Agular's US employer, to whom who sent his separation.

The US company eventually owned the merits for this discovery.

MEDICAL INCUBATOR

-World renowned Filipino pediatrician and national scientist, Fe del Mundo, is

credited for the invention of the incubator and jaundice relieving device. Del Mundo
was the first woman pediatrician to be admitted to the prestigious Harvard
University's School of Medicine. She is also the founder of the first pediatric hospital
in the country.

-Her original improvised incubator consisted of two native laundry baskets of

different sizes that are placed one inside the other. Warmth is generated by bottles
with hot water placed around the basket. A makeshift hood over the baskets allows
oxygen to circulate inside the incubator. Del Mundo's incubator was particularly

outstanding as it addressed the state of Philippine rural communities that had no

electricity to aid the regulation of body temperatures of newborn babies.

- MOLE REMOVER

- In 2000, a local inventor that had the ability to easily remove moles and

warts on skin without the need for any surgical procedure shot to fame.

Rolando Dela Cruz is credited for the invention of local mole remover that

made the use of extracts of cashew which are very common in the

Philippines. The indigenous formula easily caught on for its accessibility,

affordability and painless scarless procedure.

- BANANA KETCHUP

-Filipino food technologist, Maria Orosa, is credited for the invention of banana
ketchup, a variety cf ketchup different from the common known tomato ketchup. Her
invention appeals particularly to Filipinos who love using condiments to go along
with their food. Historical accounts posit that Orosa invented the banana ketchup at
the backdrop of of World War Il when there was a huge shortage of tomatoes. As a
result Orosa developed a variety of ketchup that made use of mashed banana, sugar,
vinegar, and spices, which are all readily available.

SUMMARY

The development of Science and technology is affected by social contexts and social
contexts

affect the developments in Science and technology. By looking at the conditions

present at the

certain historical period, we can discern the needs of humankind and these needs
derive the

development of Science and Technology.

Certain scientific and technological innovation are considered as historical

antecedents; that

is, they are precursors of scientific innovation. They provide solution to existing
problems and

are important foundations for the development of future products and processes.

The Ancient Period, Middle Ages, and Modern Ages are three historical periods
marked with

differerina contexts and thus developed different types of technologies.

Filipino Scientist and inventors contributed to the development of Science and

Technology.

They focused of the needs of the nation as the main motivators of their inventions.

MODULE 3

WHAT IS AN INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTION?

Intellectual revolution refers to series of events that led to the emergence of modern
science and more current scientific thinking across critical periods in history. It
reveals how society was transformed by science and teohnology for it has a lot of

improvements in astronorry, chemistry, mathematics and physics.

It is also the period where paracigm shifts occurred. It is where the scientific beliefs
that have been widely embraced and accepted by the people were challenged and

opposed. It is the time period when advarcements of science and technology changed
people's perception and beliefs.

Now that you have an idea the characteristics of paradigm shifts, we will look at three
important intellectual revolutions. When reading about these intellectual revolutions,
keep in mind the prevailing thoughts before these revolutions occurred and how each

thinker changed these prevailing thoughts.

COPERNICAN REVOLUTION

 In the early times, people were fascinated with the heavenly bodies. They became
interested with the stars, sun, moons and planets. Their curiosity is focused on the
components of the universe and wanted to know the movement of the heavenly
bodies and the effectsin the world where they live.
 In the 6th century, Claudius Ptolemy introduced the geocentric model which
described the absolute Perception cérther universe with tight to be true by most of
the people and was widely accepted at that time.

 Copernican Revolution marks the shift from the belief that the Earth was the
center of the universe to the heliocentric model of the universe where the sun is
the center of the solar system, as articulated by the Polish astronomer Nicolaus
Copernicus in the 16th century. In his heliocentric model, Copernicus
repositioned the Earth from the center of the Solar System and introduced the
idea that the Earth rotates on its own axis causing day and night. The Earth along
with other heavenly bodies rotates around the sun.

NICHOLAS COPERNICUS 1473-1543

 The heliocentric model was hardly accepted by the people, primarily by the
church accusing Copernicus of heresy. He even faced persecution because of this.
They held their stance on their beliefs and refused to accept the heliocentric
model of the universe as the truth.

 The shift from geocentric to heliocentrid slowly happened through the

contributions of the following intellectual persons.

 Tycho Brahe's careful observation of the star, Cassiopeia. He developed a

compromise between the heliocentric and geocentric models of the universe.

 Johannes Kepler's said that all planets move in elliptical orbits and the sun at the
center.

 Galileo Galilie's developed his own telescope and observed Venus

 Sir Isaac Newton's law of gravitation

Charles Darwin
This Darwinian Revolution started when Charles Darwin Darwin (1809-1882) (Figure
3.3) published his book "On the Origin of Species" which emphasizes that organisms
are the result of an evolution, a change in the heritable characteristics of biological
population over successive generations. He theorized that species of organisms arise
and develop through the natural selection of small inherited variations that increase

individual's ability to compete, survive, and reproduce. Natural selection is often

described as survival of the fittest, where fitness refers to the ability to survive and
reproduce.

This theory of evolution has two main points:

(1) all life on Earth is connected and related to each other and

(2) this diversity of life came about because of the modifications in populations that
were driven by natural selection. An commonly cited example of the evolutionary
process can be seen in the beaks of Galapagos finches. (Figure 3.4)

 Just like Copernicus, Darwin's theory of evolution also met resistance from the
society. Critics see the theory of evolution to be contradictory to the church's
teachings that the source of life is a powerful creator. The theory emerged at a
time when most of the population believed and accepted the biblical version of
 the Earth's creation.

 This caused conflict among people. Some believed that the theory explained the
origin of life, while the religious and faithful contradicts it. This caused a debate
between science and religion

According to MacNamara, et al. (2018), the field of psychology was considered more
of an art rather than science and was classified under the area of philosophy.
However, because of Sigmund Freud (Figure 3.5), the perception of society to
psychology changed. In the 19th century, Freud developed his theory of
psychoanalysis. According to Quinto, et al.(2019) psychoanalysis is a scientific
method of understanding inner and unconscious conflicts embedded within one's
personality, springing from free associations,dreams and fantasies of the individual."
Among his ideas include the importance of the unconscious (Figure 3.6.), and the
concept of id, ego, and superego (Figure 3.7). Freud emphasized the understanding of
unconscious because of its importance in human behavior.

The Unconscious Mind

CONSCIUOS: The small amount of mental activity we know about

Thoughts Perception

SUBCONTIOUS: Things we could be aware of if we wanted or tried

memories stored knowledge

UNCONCIUOS: Things we are unaware of and can not become aware of

instincts sexual and aggressive

Id is a part of the unconscious mind and comprises the two instinct Eros and Thanatos

Fears unacceptable sexual desires violent motives irrationally wishes immoral

urges selfish needs shameful experiences traumatic experiences
Summary

The Copernican Revolution refers to the paradigm shift of how the Earth and Sun
were placed in the universe. This idea rejected Ptolemaic Model or geocentric model
(earth is the center of the solar system) proposed by Claudius Ptolemy and proved the

heliocentric model (Sun is the center of the Solar System having the Earth revolving
around it) proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus The Theory of Evolution by Charles
Darwin states that all species of an organism arise and develop through the natural
selection of small inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to compete,
survive and reproduce. His work entitled "On The Origin of Species" changed how
people approach biology forever, and has fundamental impacts on modern science,
religion, and other aspects of the society. Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist
who is perhaps most known as the founder of psychoanalysis which, defined as a set
of psychological theories.

Module 4

Science, Technology and Nation Building

Pre Colonial Period

Even before the Spaniards came to the Philippine islands, the natives of the
archipelago already had practices linked to science and technology. Modern men
came to mainland Asia around 50 000 years and up until about 40 000 years ago used
stone tools and weapons. They also later developed shell ornaments and pottery.
Remnants of these are still present today as many people are still using clay pots in
cooking.

Eventually, Filipinos gained the skill to extract metals such as gold, copper, bronze,
and iron and use these metals for many purposes. Other activities such as weaving,
making glass ornaments, and tools development were done by our ancestors. Before
arrival of the Spaniards,Filipino communities are already thriving and interacting with
other cultures such as the Chinese, Indonesians, and Japanese. There is trade between
other countries for porcelain, glass beads, and metal products with materials such as
beeswax, cotton, pearl, tortoise shells and nuts.

Early Filipinos were also involved in coastal trade, and seamanship became highly
developed.These trades also influenced technology development in the Philippines.

Early Filipinos also have their own system of writing; though literary tradition is still
mainly oral. Also, systems of weighing, measuring, and time were also present in
early Filipino society.
Filipino technology in agriculture was also present and highly developed. There exist
systems of farming and animal-raising both for food production and helping in daily
tasks. Early Filipinos were also engaged in various agricultural practices such as
developing irrigation systems, predicting weather conditions and seasons through
animal behavior and celestial bodies, classifying plants and animals based on their
properties, preparing seeds for planting, classifying soils according to their properties,
and growing plants in yards. In terms of health and medicine, early Filipinos have
been using certain plants for their medical properties in treating ailments and healing
injuries.

The Banaue Rice Terraces are among the sophisticated products of engineering by
pre-Spanish era Filipinos. Through these terraces, the people were able to cultivate
crops on the mountainsides in cold temperatures. They incorporated an irrigation
system that uses water from the forests and mountain tops to achieve an elaborate
farming system. These terraces, which are still functional, show the innovative and
ingenious way of the natives to survive in an otherwise unfriendly environment. Pre-
colonial Filipino science and technology is basically folk science and indigenous

knowledge. There was also no pressure for a large science and technology
development because of the relatively small population, simple needs, and abundant
natural resources.

Indigenous Science According to Pawilen (200S) and Sibisi (2004), indigenous

science includes complex arrays of knowledge, expertise, practices, and
representations derived from traditional knowledge and practices that guide human
societies in their numerable interactions with the natural milieu, such as astronomy,
metallurgy, agriculture, medicine, food technology, naming and explaining natural
phenomena, and strategies for coping with changing environments. It has developed
diverse structures and contents through the interplay between the society and the
environment. Pawilen (2005) also developed a simple framework for understanding
indigenous science.
Colonial Period

Spanish Colonial Period

The Spanish colonial period is regarded as the time when modern science

and technology in the Philippines began. During this era, the Spanish

colonizers changed the way that the Filipino society works. They used of

reduccion in consolidating scattered communities into larger and fewer

communities within hearing distance of church bells and adopted how

Filipinos rule. They created towns, which made tax collection, forced

labor, and economic activities much easier to implement.

Science Education COLONIAL PERIOD

Schools were established which were primarily managed by priests

and missionaries. Thus, religious education was given focus. The

establishment of schools introduced concepts in science and

technology, which began formal science and technology education.

Early science education focused on the human body, plants,

animals, and heavenly bodies. Early technology education focused

on the use and development of tools for everyday life.

Medicine and advanced sciences were introduced in formal colleges and universities
established by Catholic orders, though training were generally poor. Biology,
medicine, and pharmacy were given focus. For Bachiller en Artes degrees, science
subjects include physics, chemistry, natural history, and mathematics
1863 - the government initiated reforms in education where basic education and
higher education will be supervised by the government. However, this was not fully
implemented. Overall, public education was not very progressive.

Agriculture, Trade, and Industry

The opening of the Suez Canal allowed the penetration of liberal ideas to the

Philippines from Europe and eased communication and transportation. This

also allowed select Filipinos were able to go to Europe and study science and

technology. Prominent ones include Jose Rizal and Antonio Luna.

Galleon trade allowed both goods and ideas from the West to reach the country,
though this benefited the colonizers and the Chinese merchants more than the
Filipinos. Trade was given more focus by the Spaniard colonial authorities due to the
prospect of big profits. These trades allowed other ideas, crops, tools, cultural
practices, technology and Western practices to reach the country. Because of the
Galleon trade, the shipbuilding industry progressed.

When the Philippines became open for foreign trade, industries such as

embroidery, tobacco, and weaving flourished. Trade and commerce also

led to the establishment of public amenities, such as transportation,

lighting, banking, and information services, especially in Manila.

Colonization by the Spaniards provided the Philippines with modern means of

construction. In terms of engineering, Spaniards introduced town planning and
building with materials such as bricky and tiles.

Because of this, churches, hospitals, and other public buildings were built.

Hospitals became centers for research work, especially in terms of the causes and
treatments of infectious diseases, such as malaria, cholera, and leprosy. Herbal

medicines were researched and catalogued. Sanitation was also given importance

for public health purposes.

1887-Laboratorio Municipal Ciudad de Manila was created for public health

concerns and medical analysis.

Spaniards colonized the Philippines for more than 300 years, science and technology

did not fully grow and reached its full potential. This is due to superstitions and

Catholic doctrines and poor administration of the Spanish government, among

others.

American Colonial Period and the Commonwealth Period

1901 - Americans established the public education system and created a Department
of Public Instruction

The public educational system is free, with English as a medium of instruction. They

reorganized school science. Basic education focused on nature studies and science and

sanitation. Normal schools were also established to train teachers, as well as other

professional and technical schools. Industrial and vocational courses were offered but
were not preferred by Filipinos at the time, and choosing career paths that led to what
they perceive as more prestigious jobs was preferred.

Science and technology focused on agriculture, food processing, forestry, medicine

and pharmacy. The Americans established the Bureau of Government Laboratories in
1901 to deal with the study of tropical diseases and laboratory projects. This was
replaced with the Bureau of Science in 1905 to nurture the development of science
and technology.

In this bureau, serums and prophylactics needed by the Philippine General Hospital
and Bureau of Health were manufactured and diseases were studied.

Reorganization of different offices based on their specializations were also done

during this time,such as the Weather Bureau, Bureau of Health, Mines, Forestry,
Agriculture, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Plant Industry, and Animal Industry.

American colonial government also improved engineering works and health

conditions by creating more public hospitals than the Spaniards and by doing research
to control diseases.They improved transportation and communication. New
technologies were also introduced by American scholars in the country.

During the Commonwealth period, where a transitional government was established

for Philippine's eventual independence, the Constitution actually acknowledged the
importance of science and technology. Other government corporations and councils
were created, such as the National Economic Council, National Power Corporation,
National Development Company, and National Abaca and Other Fibers Corporation.

Post Colonial Period

After colonization by Japan, the country focused on building institutions and public
facilities such as schools, hospitals, and transportation systems as Well as providing
technological training and human resource development. Human resource
development focused on producing engineers, scientists, technology experts, doctors,
and other professionals. Though limited in resources, the country focused in
improving science and technology. One way is through the use of Overseas

Development Allocations (DA) to help in scientific productivity and technological

capability.

Professional organizations such as the Philippine Medical Association and Philippine

Institute of Chemical Engineers aimed to review and revise the curriculum for their
respective fields to improve instruction and professional training. Many more
government agencies were established such as the Institute of Science, Institute of
Nutrition, Science Foundation of the Philippines, and Commission on Volcanology.
But because of inadequate support, the Institute of Science was reorganized to
become the Institute of Science and Technology, with the additional mandate to
improve technological development and explore natural resources for economic
growth.

By 1957, the state of science and technology in the Philippines was still declining.
Due to this, the Science Act of 1958 was enacted. This established the National
Science Development Board, the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission, and the
National Institute of Science and Technology.

By 1960s, the Philippine Inventor's Commission and Philippine Coconut Researeh

Institute were also established

By 1964, the Philippine Science High School started its operation through Republic
Act 3661 signed by President Diosdado Macapagal. During his term, many agencies
were established such as the Philippine Textile Research Institute, National Grains
Authority (now the National Food Authority), Plant Breeding Institute, International
Rice Research Institute, Philippine Council for Agricultural Research (now the
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and

Development), Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services

Administration,National Committee on Geological Sciences, Philippine National Oil
Company, National Academy of Science and Technology.

The current site of the Department of Science and Technology in Taguig was then
proclaimed as the Philippine Science Community. It was during Marcos's term that
the National Science Development Board and its agencies were reorganized into a
National Science and Technology Authority to provide central direction and
coordination of scientific and technological research and development. In terms of
science education, the Marcos regime encouraged the Department of Education and
Culture to promote science education.

SECOND SONA (January 23, 1967): It was declared that science was necessary for
the development programs, and thus, directed the Department of Education to
revitalize the science courses in public high schools. THIRD SONA (January 22,
1968): He recognized that technology was the leading factor in economic
development, and channeled additional funds to support projects in applied sciences
and science education.

THIRD SONA (January 22, 1968): He recognized that technology was the leading
factor in economic development, and channeled additional funds to support projects in
applied sciences and science education.

FOURTH SONA (January 27, 1969): He gave a big part of the war damage fund to
private universities to encourage them to create courses in science and technology and
to research. The government also conducted seminars for public and private high
school and college science teachers, training programs and scholarships for graduate
and undergraduate science scholars, and workshops on fisheries and oceanography.

FIFTH SONA (January 26, 1970): He emphasized that the upgrading of science
curricula and teaching equipment is crucial to the science development program. He
also assisted 107 institutions in undertaking nuclear energy work by sending scientists
to study nuclear science and technology abroad, and providing basic training to 482
scientists, doctors, engineers, and technicians.

SEVENTH SONA (January 24, 1972): He spoke about his major development
projects in reforming sectors of education. Such projects included research and
development schools, technical institutes, science education centers, and agricultural
colleges and vocational high schools.

The presidency of Corazon Aquino saw the replacement of NSTA to DOST. She also
created the Presidential Task Force for Science and Technology which came up with
the first Science and Technology Master Plan or STMP. The goal of STMP was for
the Philippines to achieve newly industrialized country status by the year 2000. It was
during her term that Executive Order No.128 was signed, which reorganized the
National Science and Technology Authority.

During Fidel Ramos’ presidency, the number of science and technology personnel
increased, more Philippine High Schools were established (in Visayas and Mindanao),
and health care services were given importance through programs such as "Doctors to
the Barrio Program." His administration also saw the establishment of the Magna
Carta for Science and Technology Personnel (Republic Act No. 8439), Science and
Technology Scholarship Law of 1994 (Republic Act No. 7687), Inventors and
Inventions Incentives Act (Republic Act No. 7459), and The Intellectual Property
Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293), and the Science and Technology
Agenda for National Development (STAND) was established.

The presidency of Joseph Estrada saw the legislation of Philippine Clean Air Act of
1999 (RepublicAct No. 8749) and Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act
No. 8792). He also has a full-scale program for cost-effective irrigation technologies
and programs for social and social services for those in need.

During Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term, projects for the environment and science
and technology (like the “Biofuels” act) was given focus to increase economic level.
"Filipinnovation" was also coined to help the Philippines to be an innovation hub in
Asia. The STI was developed further by strengthening the schools and education
system such as the Philippine Science High School (PSHS)..

During Benigno Aquino III’s term, he conferred four new National Scientist for their
contribution in the scientific field.

Department of Science and Technology

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is the key government

institution for science and technology. DOST has sought the expertise of the National
Research Council of the Philippines (NCRP) to consult various sectors in the society
to study how the country can prepare itself in meeting the ASEAN 2015 Goals. As a
result of the consultation, NCRP is expected to recommend policies and programs that
will improve the competitiveness of the Philippines in the ASEAN Region.

The following were the policies that were the results of the consultation.

1. Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, International Policies and

Governance
a. Integrating ASEAN awareness in basic education without adding to the curriculum
b. Emphasizing teaching in the mother tongue

c. Developing school infrastructure and providing for ICT broadband

d. Local food security

2. Physics, Engineering and Industrial Research, Earth and Space Sciences, and
Mathematics

a. Emphasizing degrees, licenses, and employment opportunities

b. Outright grants for peer monitoring

c. Review of RA 9184

d. Harnessing science and technology as independent mover of development

3. Medical, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences

a. Ensuring compliance of drug-manufacturing firms with ASEAN-harmonized

standards by full

implementation of the Food and Drug Administration

b. Creating an educational council dedicated to standardization of pharmaceutical

services and care

c. Empowering food and drug agencies to conduct evidence-based research as pool of

information

d. Allowing two percent of the GDP to research

e. Legislating a law supporting human genome project

4. Biological Sciences, Agriculture, and Forestry

a. Protecting and conserving biodiversity by full implementation of existing laws

b. Use of biosafety and standard model by ASEAN countries

c. Promoting indigenous knowledge systems and indigenous people’s conservation

d. Formulation of common food and safety standards

Other programs supported by the Philippine government through DOST

include:

1. Providing funds for basic research and patents related to science and technology

2. Providing scholarships for studies of students in science and technology

3. Establishing more branches of Philippine Science High School System

4. Creating and developing science and technology parks

5. Establishment of Balik Scientist Program

6. Establishment of National Science Complex and National Engineering Complex

Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering

The Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering identify several

capacity building programs such as:

1. Establishment of national centers of excellence

2. Manpower and institutional development programs

3. Establishment of regional centers to support scientific industries

4. Establishment of science and technology business centers

5. Strengthening of science education at an early age

Philippine Development Plan

The Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 (PDP) is a massive undertaking in

improving the country’s infrastructure, increasing energy access, lowering costs for
citizens, keeping up with economic growth, and staying within the bounds of global
agreements for climate change and sustainable growth. It was approved by the
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board and President
Rodrigo Duterte on February 20th, 2017. The impact will be manifested in the
following outcomes:

• The Philippines will be an upper middle-income country by 2022.

• Growth will be more inclusive as manifested by a lower poverty incidence in rural

areas – from 30 percent in 2015 to 20 percent in 2022.

• The Philippines will have a high level of human development by 2022.

• The unemployment rate will decline from 5.5 percent to 3-5 percent in 2022.

• There will be greater trust in government and in society.

• Individuals and communities will be more resilient.

• Filipinos will have greater drive for innovation.

The pillars of the said program are

1. Malasakit: refers to the goal to regain people’s trust in public institutions and each
other. These strategies aim to promote awareness of anti-corruption measures,
invigorate the public sector, increased access to legal aid, and promoting culture
sensitive governance.

2. Pagbabago: aimed at reducing inequality by increasing opportunities for growth

and transformation. The popularized term has been ‘inclusive growth’. Universal
social protection, basic education, and other social services will be improved upon
while also raising the country’s status in the global market for more opportunities.

3. Patuloy na Pag-unlad: focuses on economic growth. The Philippines have seen

massive growth in the past decade or so through their change from an agricultural
economy to industry and manufacturing focused powerhouse. The Philippines plan to
focus on continued growth of their technology, R&D, and innovation sectors.

Philippine Congress has also created laws that serve as legal framework for science
and technology.Some other areas that the country is looking forwards related to
science and technology include:

1. Use of alternative and safe energy

2. Harnessing mineral resources

3. Finding cure for various diseases and illness

4. Fighting climate change and global warming

5. Increasing food production

6. Preservation of natural resources

7. Coping with natural disasters and calamities

8. Infrastructure development

Ten Outstanding Filipino Scientists

FABIAN MILLAR DAYRIT

He is known for his phytochemical work for the development of laqundi as

part of the National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants.

RAFAEL DINEROS GUERRERO III

Recognized because of his scientific and technical contributions to the growth

of Sex Reversal and Hatchery Techniques that help the commercial

fabrication of high yielding market-size tilapia in the Philippines and other

nations.
ENRIQUE MAPUA OSTREA JR.

He is a neonatologist who has significantly impacted science and technology

in the Philippines for his contributions to the field of pediatrics, neonatal

hyperbilirubinemia and neonatal drug addiction.

LILIAN FORMEALEJO PATENA

She is known for discovering the seedless breed of time pomelo, and for

doing research on plant biotechnology

MARI-JO PANGANIBAN RUIZ

She is known for being an outstanding educator and graph theorist.

GREGORY LIGOT TANGONAN

He is known for his research in the field of communications technology.

He has been instrumental in developing applications of optoelectronics in

radar, optical networking and analog systems.

John Dewey argued that “education and learning are social and interactive processes,
and thus school itself is a social institution through which social reform can and
should take place. In addition, he believed that students thrive in an environment
where they are allowed to experience and interact with the curriculum, and all
students should have the opportunity to take part in their own learning.” (Talebi,2015)

Science education in basic science helps students learn important concepts and facts
that are related to everyday life (Carale & Campo, 2003; Meador, 2005; Worth &
Grollman, 2003); includes important skills such as process skills, critical thinking
skills, and life skills that are needed in coping up with daily life activities (Chaille &
Britain, 2002); develops positive attitude such as the love for knowledge, passion for
innovative things, curiosity to study about nature and creativity (Lind, 1997), and
develops a strong foundation for studying science and for considering science-related
careers in the future.

On the other hand, science education in tertiary education deals with developing
students’ understanding and appreciation of science ideas and scientific works and
focuses on the preparation of science teachers, scientists, engineers, and other
professionals in various science-related fields such as engineering, agriculture,
medicine, and health sciences. In addition to major courses, this is also done through
offering basic science courses in the General Education curriculum.

In the field of science education, several science-related programs and projects were
created to develop scientific literacy. These include:

1. Special science classes

2. Special science elementary schools

3. Philippine Science High School System

4. STEM track of the K-12 educational system

5. PICARI project

6. Offering basic science courses in the General Education curriculum

Science Schools in the Philippines

PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEMS (PSHSS)

VISION: We are the leading science high school in the Asia Pacific Region preparing
our scholars to become globally competitive Filipino scientists equipped with 21st
century skills and imbued with the core values of truth, excellence, and service to
nation.

MISSION: The Philippine Science High School, operating under one System of
Governance and Management, provides scholarship to students with high aptitude in
science and mathematics.

The PSHS System offers an education that is humanistic in spirit, global in

perspective, and in orientation. It is based on a curriculum that emphasizes science
and mathematics and the development of well-rounded individuals.

The PSHS System prepares its students for careers in Science and Technology and
contributes to nation building by helping the country attain a critical mass of
professionals and leaders in Science and Technology. It is a government program for
gifted students in the Philippines. It is the service institute of the DOST whose
mandate is to offer free scholarship basis for secondary course with emphasis on
subjects pertaining to the sciences, with the end-view of preparing its students for a
science career (Republic Act No. 3661)

PSHSS students have proven to be a beacon of excellence, courage, and hope for the
country. They have brought honor to the Philippines through their exemplary
achievements in various international competitions and research circles.

Graduates of PSHSS were expected to pursue degrees in science and technology at

various colleges and universities locally or abroad.

SPECIAL SCIENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (SSES) PROJECT

MISSION: To provide a learning environment to science inclined children through a

special curriculum which recognizes multiple intelligences and is geared towards the
development of God-loving, nationalistic, creative, ecologically aware, scientifically
and technologically oriented and skilled individuals who are empowered through
lifelong learning skills.

It is in pursuance to DepEd Order No. 73 s. 2008, and DepEd Order No. 51 s. 2010.
It started in June, SY 2007-2008: Batch I with 57 identified elementary school.
Another 3 schools in Region V were included since its inception. In SY 2011-2012,
the program was again expanded for Batch 3; additional 5 schools in Region V were
included

The SSES Project aims to develop Filipino children equipped with scientific and
technological knowledge, skills, and values. The SSES utilizes Science curriculum
that will provide for the development of lifelong learning skills and foster the holistic
development of the child. The subject Science& Health is taught starting in Grade1
and provides longer instruction time in Science. In Grades I-III, 70 minutes and for
Grades IV-VI, 80 minutes. The Curriculum also utilizes varied teaching
approaches/strategies to address the multiple intelligences, learning styles and needs
of the learners.

QUEZON CITY REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL

Established on September 17, 1967, it was originally named Quezon City Science
High School. It was appointed as the Regional Science High School for the National
Capital Region since 1998. The focus of the curriculum is on science and technology.
The school envisions to serve as a venue in providing maximum opportunities for
science-gifted students to develop spirit of inquiry and creativity. The school is well-
supported by the Local Government Unit and by the Parents and Teachers Association
(PTA). The school is under the Department of Education.

MANILA SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL

MISSION: To provide relevant and quality education through its Special Science
Curriculum, its empowered school manager and staff, its committed, dedicated and
well-trained learning facilitators and support personnel and its linkages with various
publics for the development of active, productive, morally upright and development-
oriented Filipinos.

VISION: A nerve center of excellence that enables healthy life-long learners with
strong moral, social, cultural and technological foundation to actively participate in
the development of a strong republic.

It was established on October 1, 1963 as the Manila Science High School (MSHS). It
was also the first science high school in the Philippines. The curriculum of the school
puts more emphasis on science and mathematics. It aims to produce scientists with
souls. In order to do this, humanities courses and other electives are included in their
curriculum.

The school administers an entrance exam, the Manila Science High School Admission
Test (MSAT), for students who wish to enroll. The MSAT has five parts: aptitude in
science, aptitude test in mathematics, problem-solving test in science, problem-
solving test in mathematics, and proficiency in English.

CENTRAL VISAYAN INSTITUTE FOUNDATION

MISSION: As the educational arm of the Central Visayan Institute Foundation, the
High School Department shall endeavor to equip each student with the necessary
skills for future work and further studies. It shall develop and protect each individual's
talents and innate creativity, and guide each one towards the path of fullest realization
of potential and creative abilities. It shall instill in the youth a spirit of service to
country and love of God, above all.

It is the home and pioneer of the prominent school-based innovation known as the
Dynamic Learning Program (DLP), which is a synthesis of classical and modern
pedagogical theories adapted to foster the highest level of learning, creativity and
productivity.

It takes pride in its Research Center for Theoretical Physics (RCTP) established in
1992, which organizes small international workshops to foster the informal but
intense exchange of ideas and perspectives on outstanding problems in physics and
mathematics.

TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING MODULE 5

MARTIN HEIDEGGER: LIFE AND WORKS

"The essence of technology is by means anything technological" Martin

Heidegger (1997) Martin Heidegger (1889-1976)

 Martin Heidegger is widely acknowleged as one of the most important

philosophers of the 20th century.

 He was a German philosopher who was part of the Continental tradition of

philosophy.

 His stern opposition to positivism and technological world domination received

unequivocal support from leading postmodernists and post structuralists, of the
time, including Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucalt and Jean - Francois Lyotard.

 In 1993, he joined the Nazi Party (NSDAP) and remained to be a member until it
was dismantled toward the end of World War I1. This resulted in his dismisal
from the University of Freiburg in 1949. He was only able to resume teaching in
1951.

 His membership to the Nazi Party made him controversial due to his
philosophical work was often eclipsed by his political affliation. with critics
saying that his philosophy would always be rooted in his political consciousness.
THE QUESTION OF TECHGNOLOGY

Martin Heidegger, in his work The Question of Technology, aimed to characterize

technology and how humans relate to it. He argued the importance of understanding
the essence of technology because no matter what we do, we will always be
intertwined with technology.

He began his work by discussing how we usually understand technology. According

to Heidegger, technology is commonly understood as both a means to an end (an

instrumental characterization of technology) and a human activity._(an

anthropological characterization of technology). For Heidegger, these two notions of

technology are intertwined.

He said that this characterization of technology is correct, even for both traditional
and modern technology, but may not the whole truth. However, it is important to note
that knowing what is "correct" may lead to the "truth".

• Heidegger's work on philosophy focused on ontology or the study of "being' or

dasein in German. His philosophical works are often described as complicated, partly
due to his use of complex compound German words, such as Scinsvergessenheit
( Forgetfulness of Being, Bodenstandigkeit ( Rootedness in Soul ) and
Wesensverfassung. (Essential Constitution).

INSTRUMENTAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL VIEW

OF TECHNOLOGY

Instrumental definition: Technology is a means to an end.

Technologyy is not an end in itself, it is a means to an end. In this context, technology

is viewed as a tool available to individuals, groups, and communities that desire to
make an impact on society. How technology is used varies from individual, groups to
groups, and communities to communities according to their individual and collective
functions, goals and aspirations. While technology is omnipresent, knowing its
functions requires paying attention to how humans use it as a means to an end. In this
sense, technology is an instrument aimed at getting things done.

Anthropological definition: Technology is a human activity.

Alternatively, technology can also be defined as a human activity because to achieve

an end and to produce and use a means to an end is, by itself, a human activity. The
production or invention of technological equipment, tools and machines, the products
and inventions, and the purpose and functions they serve are what define technology.

THE ESSENCE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND THE CONCEPT OF

ENFRAMING

By this point, the essence of technology was described in a general way. However,
according to Heidegger, modern technology is different since its way of bringing forth
is not the same as that of poiesis, since the bringing-forth of modern technology may
not be as harmonious as pre-modern technology. The bringing-forth is more of a
challenging forth. Heidegger described modern technology as the age of switches,
standing reserve, and stockpiling for its own sake.

Because of this behavior of man, the attitude of enframing arises. It is as if nature is

viewed as calculable and orderable, is put in a box so that it can be better understood
and controlled according to people’s desires. When we enframe nature, we manipulate
or control it, which might lead to negative impacts.

THE FOUR CAUSES AND THE CONCEPT OF POESIS

Martin Heidegger used the ancient Greek's way of looking at causality to initially
determine the essence of technology.

In His work. he discussed what we mean of cause by using the concept of the four
causes: (1) causa materialis, the material by which something is made up of; (2)
causa formalis, the form of the material that makes it what it is; (3) causa finalis, the
purpose of the thing; and (4) causa, efficiens, the one which caused for the thing to be
formed. These four causes are deemed to be responsible of bringing forth something.
This bringing forth is termed poiesis.

Technology as Poiesis; Does Modern Technology Bring Forth or Challenge

Forth?
Heidegger, in The Question Concerning Technology, posited that both primitive crafts
and moder technology are revealing. However, he explained that modern technology
is revealing not in the sense of bringing forth or poeisis. Heidegger made a clear
distinction between technology and modern technology in that the latter 'challenges'
nature.

Modern technology challenges nature by extracting something from it and

transforming storing. and distributing it. On the surface, Heidegger's criticism of
modern technology might appear counterintuitive to the purpose of nature to human
existence. However, by digging deeper into Heidegger's question becomes clear that
the essence of modern technology is not to bring forth in the sense of porn. Instead,
Heidegger considers modern technology's way of revealing as a way of challenging
forth Modern technology challenges forth, because it makes people think how to do
things faster, more effectively, and with less effort.

It prompts people into dominating and enframing the earth's natural resources.
Challenging forth reduces objects as standing reserve or something to be disposed of
by those who enframe them humans. This is evident in the way people exploit natural
resources with very little concern of the ecological consequences that come with it.
Challenging forth as a result of modern technology/ is also evident in the information
age such that greater control of information to profit from its value gives rise to
concerns about privacy and the protection of human rights.

The challenging forth of modern technology is seen everywhere in the rise and
depletion of petroleum as a strategic resource; the introduction and use of synthetic
dyes, artificial flavorings, and toxic materials into the consumer stream that bring
about adverse effects on human health and the use of ripening agents in agriculture
that threats to food safety and health security.

THE ESSENCE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND THE CONCEPT OF

ENFRAMING

Enframing as Modern Technology's Way of Revealing

• If the essence of technology can be understood as a way of bringing forth the truth in
the sense of poiesis, Heidegger distinguished the way of revealing of modern
technology by considering it as a process of enframing Humankind's desire to control
everything, including nature, is captured in this process. By putting things, in this case
nature, in a frame, it becomes much easier for humans to control it according to their
desires.
• Enframing, according to Heidegger, is akin to two ways of looking at the world:
calculative thinking and meditative thinking. In calculative thinking, humans desire to
put an order to nature to better understand and control it In meditative thinking,
humans allow nature to reveal itself to them without the use of force or violence. One
thinking is not necessarily better than the other. In fact, humans are capable of using
both and will benefit from being able to harmonize these ways of looking at the
world. Yet, calculative thinking tends to be more commonly utilized, primarily
because humans' desire to control due to their fear of irregularity.

Enframing, then, is a way of ordering (or framing) nature to better manipulate it.
Enframing happens because of how humans desire for security, even if it puts all of
nature as a standing reserve ready for exploitation. Modern technology challenges
humans to enframe nature. Thus, humans become part of the standing reserve and an
instrument of technology, to be exploited in the ordering of nature. The role humans
take as instruments of technology through enframing is called destining. In destining,
humans are challenged forth by enframing to reveal what is real. However, this
destining of humans to reveal nature carries with it the danger of misconstruction or
misinterpretation.

THE DANGERS OF TECHNOLOGY

• The dangers of techology lie in how humans let themselves be consumed by it.
Although humans are looped into the cycle of bringing forth or challenging forth, it is
their responsibility to recognize how they become instruments of technology.

Recognizing its dangers of technology requires critical and reflective thinking on its
use. For example, social media has indeed connected people in the most efficient and
convenient way imaginable, but it also inadvertently gave rise to issues such as
invansion of privacy, Online disinhibition, and proliferation of fake news. -The line
has to be drawn between what constitutes a beneficial use of social media and a
dangerous one. As exemplified, social media comes with both benefits and
drawbacks.

ART AS THE SAVING POWER

Necessary reflection upon and confrontation with technology are required in order to
proactively address the dangers of technology.

• Friedrich Holderlin, a German poet quoted by Heidegger, said "But where danger is,
grows the saving power also" The saving power can be traced exactly where the
danger is - in the essence of technology.
This essence is not neutral and by no means anything technological. Heidegger
proposed art as the saving power and the way out of enfarmina: "And art was simply
called techne. It was a single, manifold revealing."

Heidegger saw art as an act of the mind, ie, a techne, that protected and had great
power over the truth. By using on art, people are able to see more clearly how art is
embedded in nature. Arts encourages human to thinks from a calculative standpoint
where nature is views as an orders system.It inspires meditative thinking where nature
is seen as an art and that, In all of art, nature is most poetic.

Questioning as the Piety of Thought

• Heidegger concluded his treatise on technology by saying:

The closer we come to the danger, therefore, brightly do the ways into the saving
power begin to shine and the more questioning we become.For questioning is the
piety of thought. (1977,p.19)

Heidegger underscored the important of questioning in the midst of technology.

Humans are consumed by technology when they are caught up in enframing and fail
to pay attention to the intricacies of technology, the brilliance of the purpose of
humankind, and the genius of human to bring forth the truth.

• Heidegger concluded his work by saying that "questioning is the piety of thought."
Piety, according to Heidegger, means obedience and submission. He said that through
questioning, we gain understanding of what we are in the greater scheme of things
and what modern technology has brought us. Through questioning, we build the way
of knowing the truth of who we are in the world.

MODULE 6

HUMAN FLOURISHING IN PROGRESS AND DE-DEVELOPMENT

• Eudaimonia literally "good spirited" is a term coined by renowned Greek

philosopher Aristole (385-323 BC) to describe the pinnale of happiness that is
attainable by humans. This has often been translated into "human flourishing" in
literature, arguably likening humans to flowers achieving their full bloom.
Eudaimonists do this by challenging themselves intellectually or by engaging in
activities that make them spiritually richer people.

• Human flourishing involves the rational use of one's individual human potentialities,
including talents, abilities, and virtues in the pursuit of his freely and rationally
chosen values and goals.
The quest for human progress and flourishing has always been at the center of
civilization. People always seek to live better lives and provide a better life for their
kids. In the process, they seek to live lives of meaning and aspire to fulfill their
potential. Although societies are made up of heterogeneous individuals with different
preferences, people reliably organize themselves in groups, communities, or nations
in an effort to improve the status quo (progress).

As Nicholas Christakis reminds us in his book, Blueprint, we have many more things
in common than we have things that differentiate us. The quest to live better and more
meaningful lives and to provide a better life for future generations, especially our own
children, is as strong a commonality as there exists in the world.

Aristotle believed that human flourishing requires a life with other people. Aristotle
taught that people acquire virtues through practice and that a set of concrete virtues
could lead a person toward his natural excellence and happiness.

Science, Technology and Human Flourishing

• Every discovery, innovation, and success contributes to our pool of human

knowledge.

• Human's perpetual need to locate himself in the world by finding proofs to trace
evolution.

• Elicits our idea of self-importance

• Technology is a human activity we excel in as a result of achieving science.

(Heidegger)

• Good is inherently related to the truth Must be treated as a part of human life that
needs reflective and meditative thinking.

DIFFERENT CONCEPTIONS OF HUMAN FLOURISHING EASTERN AND

WESTERN EASTERN

•FOCUS IS COMMUNITY-CENTRIC • MORE FOCUS ON THE INDIVIDUAL

• INDIVIDUAL SHOULD SACRIFICE

HIMSELF FOR THE SAKE OF SOCIETY • HUMAN FLOURISHING AS END

• ARISTOTELIAN VIEW.

• CHINESE CONFUCIAN SYSTEM

• AIMS FOR EUDAIMONIA AS

THE ULTIMATE GOOD

• JAPANESE BUSHIDO

• ENCOURAGE STUDIES OF

LITERATURE, SCIENCES, AND ART FOR

A GREATER CAUSE

THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were
adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to
end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity
by 2030.

• OTHERS MIGHT THINK THE SDG'S ARE ABOUT TO OFFER A FRESH

PLAN FOR HOW TO SAVE THE WORLD, BUT BENEATH ALL THE TYPE,
IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL.

• ONE OF THE GLOBAL PROBLEM THAT SGD WANTED TO SOLVE IS THE

POVERTY.

• WHEN IT COMES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, POOR COUNTRIES

ARE THE "EASY" PART. IT IS THE RICH COUNTRIES THAT ARE THE REAL
DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE OF THE 21ST CENTURY."
Growth HAS BEEN THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF DEVELOPMENT FOR THE
PAST 70 YEARS TO ERADICATE POVERTY

JASON HICKEL

• Is an anthropologist, economist and specialist on inequalities

• He examines solutions to reverse the development dynamics and eradicate poverty

on global scale "Forget 'developing' poor countries, it's time to de-develop rich
countries

• He also introduce the concept of de- development as a way of crossing over the gap
between developing and developed countries

THE CONCEPT OF DE-DEVELOPMENT

• DE-DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK IS ABOUT SHIFTING THE IDEA OF

DEVELOPMENT FROM ECONOMIC GROWTH TO LIFE EXPECTANCY AND
HAPPINESS.

• MEANS HAVING FEWER PHYSICAL THINGS DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN

TO LESS HAPPINESS. IN OTHER WORDS, RICH COUNTRIES CAN "DE-
DEVELOP: BY STICKING TO QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.

•IT IS SIMPLY ABOUT SLOWING DOWN CONSUMPTION WHILE

MAINTAINING HAPPINESS AND ACHIEVING LONG LIFE EXPECTANCY.

PETER EDWARD

• He is an Economist

• According to him, "Instead of pushing poorer countries to "catch up" with rich ones,
we should be thinking of ways to get rich countries to " catch down"

HUMAN FLOURISHING: Eastern and western conceptions regarding

society and human flourishing seem to differ: western civilization seemed to
be more individualistic (exemplified by the Aristotelian view of a good life)
while eastern civilizations are more centered on the community (such as the
Chinese and Japanese emphasis on learning for the greater good). However,
in the context of globalization, this apparent difference in perspectives
seems to disappear. However, it is important to note that human flourishing
is still given focus.

According to Bandarlipe, et al. (2019), the following are some

characteristics of human flourishing:

1. All humans aim to flourish.

2. Human flourishing involves putting into action one’s capacities,

capabilities, and virtues.

3. Human flourishing depends on free will.

4. Human flourishing is sustained over time.

5. Human flourishing involves doing well in broad domains of human life.

Humans have attained certain progresses that we lack before. Mortality rates
are lowered due to less death due to diseases and childbirth. Life spans have
increased because of better medical care and health conditions. Literacy
rates also increased through better access to education and more alternatives
or modes of learning. Productivity has also increased, though differing in
levels in many countries, which increased food supply and income of
families.

However, determining the ways on how to attain a flourishing human life is

not an easy endeavor, especially in the context of science and technology.
Though, as from previous lessons, we have learned that science and
technology are instrumental in human flourishing, some may say that
overdependence to the point in deifying science may pose a threat to human
flourishing.

THE CONCEPT OF DE-DEVELOPMENT

After watching the video, one could legitimately question whether humans
are really flourishing in the present time. Jason Hickel, an anthropologist at
the London School of Economics, also questioned this in the context of
economics. Recent reports show that the gap between developed and
developing countries continues to widen. There is also an unclear way on
how to measure these gaps. Many solutions have been put forward to attain
this and to really determine whether we are flourishing. Jason Hickel
proposed a solution that is different from what is usually thought of. In his
article Forget ‘developing’ poor countries, it’s time to de-develop rich
countries, he looked into poverty and how current measures in eradicating
this global problem fails and instead the gap between rich and poor
countries are continuing to widen. He questions the need for continuing
growth and how this growth negatively affects countries. He also introduced
the concept of de-development as a way of bridging the gap between
countries of different levels of development.

SUMMARY

The following learning points summarize what you have learned in this
section:

· Different cultures have different views on human flourishing.

Nevertheless, human flourishing has certain characteristics such as the
involvement of practice, sustainment across time, and being involved in
different domains of life.

· Science and technology have certain roles to play in human flourishing.

However, letting science be corrupted may lead to negative impacts with
respect to human flourishing.

· Jason Hickel claimed more growth or shifting growth from developed to

developing nations are inadequate strategies to finally end the problem of
poverty. He asserted we have continually going past

our capacity to generate supply of renewable resources and to absorb

surplus. Developed countries are also over-consuming.

· Hickel said that instead of poor countries catching up to grow as much as

rich countries, rich countries could consider reaching more appropriate
levels of development. Living long and happy lives, despite low incomes,
could be the target or goal instead of increasing growth. This means that
though countries might have high incomes, this does not equate to a long
lives, literate citizens, and generally happy lives.

· He asserted that countries may consider de-development, a shift of focus

from economic growth to life expectancy and happiness. The idea is for
people to aim for having a better value of life instead of acquiring and
producing more: quality over quantity. Though many believe that material
gain is not overly necessary to achieve over-all happiness and many
question the current way of thinking about progress, it is difficult to “sell”
the concept of de-development because of the connotations of the language
used by those who promote it, terms such as de-growth, zero growth, de-
development, which implies a backwards way of living. However, the goal
is actually becoming appropriately developed.

· According to Hickel, solutions to achieving this goal include banning

advertising, a shorter working week, and a basic income. Hickel warned us
that if we insist of too much growth, the environment will stop us from
growing, and that we will up on poverty, something that we aimed to escape
from.

Module 7 THE GOOD LIFE

ARISTOTLE AND HIS PHILOSOPHY

Aristotle, who lived from 384 to 322 BC, is probably the most important
ancient Greek philosopher and scientist. He was a student of Plato, who was
then a student of Socrates. Together, they were considered the 'Big Three of
Greek Philosophy.' Aristotle was the teacher of Alexander the Great.

Aristotle’s background in biological subjects made him more of an

empiricist (truth discovered primarily by the senses) as compared to the
mathematician Plato’s rationalism (truth discovered primarily by reason.)
Aristotle attended Plato’s academy but founded his own school, the
Lyceum, later in his life.

Aristotle wrote on an amazing range of topics including: logic, metaphysics,

physics, epistemology, astronomy, meteorology, biology, psychology,
ethics, politics, law, and poetics.

We can say that Aristotle influenced more subjects for a longer period of
time than any thinker in the history. His scientific ideas were orthodoxy for
2000 years, his logic is still used, and his influence in many areas of
philosophy is still felt. His thought in multiple fields was considered
definitive for millennia, and his work in ethics and politics is still widely
influential today. He is one of the greatest thinkers in the history of western
philosophy.

NICOMACHEAN ETHICS AND THE GOOD LIFE

In the video, it is said that “science must be guided by some ethical basis that is not
dictated by science itself.” The work of Aristotle entitled Nicomachean Ethics may be
one of these ethical bases.

Aristotle’s work contains two works that mainly concern ethics: the Nicomachean
Ethics (which may refer to one of his sons named Nicomachus) and the Eudemian
Ethics (which may refer to one of his friends, Eudemus of Rhodes). Some of the
Books in the Eudemian Ethics are identical to that of the Nicomachean Ethics, and it
was thought Eudemian Ethics was written first before Nicomachean Ethics.
Nicomachean Ethics, however, is the more popular of these two Aristotelian works.

The Nichomachean Ethics (abbreviated as NE or sometimes EN), is a work that deals

with “the nature of moral life and human happiness based on the unique essence of
human nature”. It is concerned with the "end of the things we pursue in our actions,"
what he calls the "best good" for a human being (NE I.2.1094a).

These work containing ten books were originally lecture notes that he taught at the
Lyceum. The outline of the said book is as follows:

NE I.1095a-I.1096a. The best good

NE I.1097b-I.1098a. The argument from function

NE I.1102a-II.1109b. Virtue and the soul

NE III.1109b-1115a. Necessary conditions for virtue

NE III.1115a-IV.1128b. Virtues of character

NE V.1129a-1138b. Justice

NE VI.1138b-1145a. Virtues of thought

NE VII.1145a-1154b. Continence, pleasure

NE VIII.1155a-IX.1172a. Friendship NE X.1172a-1181b. Pleasure, happiness,

legislation

THE CONCEPT OF EUDAIMONIA

Everyone has their own concept of what characterizes what “good” is.
Ancient Greeks believed that good can be intrinsic (something which is
valued for themselves and not for something else) and instrumental
(something which is valued for something else and not for themselves). In
the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle discussed his concept of what good is,
what a good life is, and how to attain it. This concept of eudaimonia (from
the Greek eu meaning good and daimon meaning spirit), which can be
translated as the good life, is the subject of Book 1 of Aristotle’s
Nicomachean Ethics.
To understand the concept of eudaimonia in Aristotle’s work, please read
Book 1 of Nicomachean Ethics. In reading the said book, take note of the
following:

a. What good means

b. What happiness means

c. What a good person is

d. What a good life is

e. The difference between humans and other living things

ATTAINING EUDAIMONIA

Now that you have learned the concept of what a good life is, we should
now consider how to attain it. Aristotle argued that the way to bridge the gap
between knowledge of the good life and actually living it was through the
development of a good moral character. And this entails developing good
habits. A good habit allows us to perform certain actions without effort.

Aristotle calls good habits virtues or excellences. Humans have both

excellences of intellect (theoretical and practical reason), a.k.a. intellectual
virtue or virtue of thought, and excellences of character, a.k.a moral virtue
or virtue of character.

To understand the concept of virtues and excellences, please read Book 2 of

Nicomachean Ethics. In reading the said book, take note of the following:

a. What virtue and vice means

b. The types of virtues and their characteristics

c. How one can live a life of virtue

SUMMARY

The following learning points summarize what you have learned in this
section:

· According to Aristotle, every act is aimed at the good and thus the good
may be expressed in different ways. However, the good life is a different
thing. He said that the attainment of the ultimate good is what constitutes the
good life.

· Eudaimonia means the good life, which is marked by happiness and

excellence. It is a flourishing life filled with meaningful endeavors that
empower the human person to be the best version of himself/herself.

· According to Aristotle, man’s “form” comprises a soul, which has a plant-

like part, an animal part, and a rational part.

· Man can only achieve happiness by using all his abilities and capabilities
or living a life of virtue.

· Virtue is the excellence of character that empowers one to do good and be

good. Its opposite is called vice.

· According to Aristotle, there are two types of virtue: intellectual and

moral.

· Aristotle held that there are three forms of happiness. The first form of
happiness is a life of pleasure and enjoyment. The second form of happiness
is a life as a free and responsible citizen. The third form of happiness is a
life as thinker and philosopher. Aristotle then emphasized that all three
criteria must be present at the same time for man to find happiness and
fulfillment. He rejected all forms of imbalance.

· Aristotle advocated the “Golden Mean.” The ethics of Aristotle contain

echoes of Greek medicine: only by exercising balance and temperance will I
achieve a happy or “harmonious” life.