Republic of the Philippines

Sultan Kudarat State University

College of Industrial Technology
Isulan Campus

GE704
Science, Technology & Society

GROUP 1 REPORT

THE HUMAN PERSON FLOURISHING IN TERMS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Introduction:

Among the animals on earth, we, humans, identify ourselves as the ones who
have higher intellectual capacity. We have learned that things around us hold potential
when combined with other things or when used in ways that these things are innately
inclined to be used. Through time, passionate search, experiment or even accidental
encounter, a lot of things were discovered, and we are determined to use, produce,
and manipulate nature. This lesson explains briefly the attributes and capacity of man
and his role in relation to technology and to society. It begins with St. Augustine’s idea
that human beings were created by God, the Supreme Good, and that He has
endowed us with intellect and the freedom to choose what is good and ultimately go
back to Him. The journey towards God necessitates graces from Him in order for us,
humans, to choose to do and innovate things for each other and for everyone’s good.
This lessons also establishes some philosophical considerations on how technology
can be construed as a tool for higher purposes aside from the usual idea of it being the
provider of more efficient and comfortable ways of achieving and doing things.
(adoniskathleen, 2019)

https://www.coursehero.com/file/39153379/STSdocx/

Course material

THE HUMAN PERSONFLOURISHING IN TERMS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 Technology has always been defined to an end and being a human activity.
 It has long filled the word. Everyday routines are marked with technological
advances that reflect what a society is good or known for. Technology has
well advanced since the middle of the20th
 Century especially after the end of World War II. It is not unexpected for
technology to involve question of knowledge which lead to its formation as
one of the branches of
philosophy. This also led to the furtherance of technology based on how it is
viewed and understood. But there is more to that.
  Aristotle, was born 304 B.C. an ancient Greek philosophy scientist and one of
the most significant thinkers and who contributed so much to science,
technology, political theory, and aesthetics world; followed that knowledge of
the world begins by looking and examining that which exists. To understand the
human person flourishing in terms of science and technology, it is good to first
examine technology in its essence.

What is Happiness?

 In psychology, happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being which

can be defined by, among others, positive or pleasant emotions ranging from
contentment to intense joy.

 To behaviorists, happiness is a cocktail of emotions we experience when

we do something good or positive.

 To neurologists, happiness is the experience of a flood of hormones

released in the brain as a reward for behavior that prolongs survival.

 The hedonistic view of well-being is that happiness is the polar opposite of

suffering, the presence of happiness indicates the absence of pain. Because of
this, hedonists believe that the purpose of life is to maximize happiness, which
minimizes misery.

 Eudaimonia, a term that combines the Greek words for "good" and "spirit" to
describe the ideology. Eudaimonia defines happiness as the pursuit of becoming
a better person. Eudaemonists do this by challenging themselves intellectually or
by engaging in activities that make them spiritually richer people.

Aristotle

--> 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.

--> According to Aristotle, there is an end of all of the actions that we perform which we
desire for itself. This is what is known as eudaimonia, flourishing, or happiness, which
is desired for its own sake with all other things being desired on its account.
Eudaimonia is a property of one's life when considered as a whole. Flourishing is the
highest good of human endeavors and that toward which all actions aim. It is success
as a human being. The best life is one of excellent human activity.

Eudaimonia

 “good spirited”

 Coined by Aristotle
  Describes the pinnacle of happiness that is attainable by humans.

 “human flourishing”

 From Nicomachean Ethics (philosophical inquiry into the nature of the good
life for a human being.)

– human flourishing arises as a result of different components such as

• Phronesis

• Friendship

• Wealth

• Power

 In ancient Greek society, they believe that acquiring these will surely bring the
seekers happiness, which in effect allows them to partake in the greater notion
of what we call the Good.

 As time changes, elements that comprise human flourishing changed.

 People found means to live more comfortably, explore more places, develop
more products, and make more money.

 Humans of today are expected to become “man of the world”.

 Supposed to situate himself in a global neighborhood, working side by side

among institutions and the government to be able to reach a common goal.

Principles of Human Flourishing

 Dignity of the Human person - innate personal values or rights which demands
respect for all people, regardless of race, social class, wealth etc.

 Common Good - sacrificing self-interest to provide for the basic human

needs of everyone makes the whole community flourish.

 Preferential Option for the Poor - when decisions are made by first considering the
poor.

 Subsidiarity - when all those affected by a decision are involved in making it.

 Universal Purpose of Goods - the Earth's resources serve every person's

needs, regardless of who "owns" them.

 Stewardship of Creation - duty to care for the Earth as a (God-given) gift is a

 personal responsibility for the common good.

 Promotion of Peace - everyone has the duty to respect and collaborate in

personal relationships, and at national and global levels.

 Participation - everyone has the right and the duty to take part in the life of a
society (economic, political, cultural, religious)

 Global Solidarity - recognition that we are all interconnected, part of one human
family.

Different Conceptions of Human

Flourishing Eastern

• Focus is community-centric

• Individual should sacrifice himself for the sake of society

• Chinese Confucian system

• Japanese Bushido
• Encourage studies of literature, sciences, and art for a greater

cause

Western

 More focused on the individual

 Human flourishing as an end

 Aristotelian view

 Aims for eudaimonia as the ultimate

good

Science, Technology and Human

Flourishing

 Every discovery, innovation, and success contribute to our pool of human

knowledge.

 Human’s perpetuals 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.

 Good is inherently related to the truth.

REFERENCES
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uo1FlcQENk

 https://www.techvshuman.com/read-preview/

 https://www.slideshare.net/annaestardo/bspsts-pt6

 https://prezi.com/7hyrj4_lkaxh/why-the-future-

doesnt-need-us/