2021

1ST SEMESTER
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Ligao Community College

Ligao City

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY

GE 7 STS
AY 2021-2022
TOPIC:
When Technology and Humanity Across

Module 7-Week 7
Student’s Name: __________________________________
Course/Year & Block: ___________________________
Date Received: ___________________________________
Instructor’s Name: _________________________

1 Science, Technology, and Society (STS)

1 Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
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 Hi, there! WELCOME TO OUR CLASS – General Education 9, Science, Technology, and Society
(STS). I will be y our Instructor on this subject for the whole Semester. As part of LiComCo family, I am
committed to help and guide you to be successful and I am counting on you to play an active role as my
students.
This lesson will give light to the development of science and scientific ideas in the heart of the society.
It is the goal of this lesson to articulate ways by which society is transformed by Science and Technology.

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

 Know the different technological advancement in society

 Examine some technological advancements and ethical issues they entail; and
 Discuss the effects of the interplay between technology and humanity through the dilemma(s) they
face.

Figure 1: Re-Engineering Humanity

https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=technology+and+humanity

When technology and humanity cross… Will it be a convergence or a clash between man and
machine?

2 Science, Technology, and Society (STS)

Television Sets, Mobile Phones, Computers, and Humanity

A number of technological devices can be easily found inside the home, the most accessible place
to anyone. Having said that, it can also be easily inferred that these technological devices are some of the
most popular and most commonly used types of devices across all age groups. To be more specific, these
“celebrities” in the field of technology are television sets, mobile phones, and computers. People all over
the world use these technologies every day to accomplish different purposes.

In television, used mainly as a platform for advertisements and

information dissemination. It remains to be the most used avenue by
different advertisement companies not only in the Philippines but also
all over the world. Various advertising companies trust that television
is still one of the most used technological devices up until today. It also
serves as a recreational activity and good stress reliever to most
families, specifically to Filipino families. Television also is a good
platform for different propagandas and advocacies. Lastly, it can also
be a good way to bond with one’s family members.

In mobile phones,
used primarily for communication. It
offers services like texting and calling. In the
past, these were the only functions of the mobile
phone but as technology progressed, there have
been many additional features included on
mobile phones. In the present, people use their
mobile phones to surf the Internet and to take
pictures more than text or to call people. This is
the reason why more and more people all over
the world prefer to buy smartphones over the
old models where such features are not
available. These make this technological device very appealing to the masses. Additionally, it is very
portable and convenient because it can fit into any space, may it be inside the pocket or bag.
In mobile phones, used primarily for
communication. It offers services like texting and calling.
In the past, these were the only functions of the mobile
phone but as technology progressed, there have been
many additional features included on mobile phones. In
the present, people use their mobile phones to surf the
Internet and to take pictures more than text or to call
people. This is the reason why more and more people all
over the world prefer to buy smartphones over the old
models where such features are not available. These make
this technological device very appealing to the masses.
Additionally, it is very portable and convenient because
it can fit into any space, may it be inside the pocket or
bag.

3 Science, Technology, and Society (STS)

 Computers and laptops, on the other hand, can be used to surf
the Internet and communicate. For a lot of people, they prefer to do
their job using either a personal computer or a laptop than a mobile
phone. Personal computer or a laptop has wide keyboard, wide
screens, and separate keyboards than mobile phones. Another reason
is that the availability of a mouse or a touchpad made these two
technological devices easier to maneuver than mobile phones. Lastly,
for the youth and those who love to play different computer games,
personal computers or laptops are really the better choice because
these allow them play with comfort and convenience.

Ethical Dilemma Faced by these technological advancements

It is true that these technological devices are useful and beneficial, the fact remains that there are
several dilemmas faced by these “necessities”. First, most parents would argue that these devices make their
children lazy and unhealthy. This is because people who are fixated on these technological advancements
start and end their day by using such devices. For example, those who love to watch television shows stay
in front of the television for more than six hours a day while those who love to surf the Internet or play
computer games stay on their laptops, computers, or mobile phones for more than half a day. These people
have the tendency to be unaware of the time because they are so engrossed with the use of technological
device. Also, there are the same people who are more likely to experience alienation because they no longer
take time to get out their houses and mingle with other people. It is really concerning to know that there are
people who develop different kinds of sickness because of too much use of technological devices. The agents
using the devices are the ones to be blamed for the undesirable consequences, namely, laziness and
unhealthiness. In terms of alienation, it can be concluded that the people in the scientific-technological world
are blameworthy because they tell the people something that seems positive but when examined closely,
brings worse than good.
Another dilemma faced by these technological devices is the moral dilemma. People, especially the
children who are not capable yet of rationally deciding for themselves what is right or wrong, are freely
exposed to different things on television, mobile phones, laptops, or computers. Because of the availability
and easy access to the Internet, they can just easily search the web and go to different websites without
restrictions. This allows them to see, read, or hear things which are not suitable for their very young age.
This makes them very vulnerable to character change and can greatly affect the way they view the world
and the things around them. The people in the scientific world nor the children are blameworthy because
first, the children are not yet capable of rationally deciding for themselves what is good and what is bad.
Second, even if creators of these technologies went out of their way to inform children of the pros and cons
of these technological contributions, it would still be useless because the children have no capacity to
understand them yet. So, the ones to be blamed are the adults who allowed the children to have access to
such devices in first place without any supervision.

Robotics and Humanity

Another great product of the innovative minds of the people is the robot which are now widely
used. For example, there are so -called service robots that do specific tasks but focus mainly in assisting
their masters in their everyday tasks.

4 Science, Technology, and Society (STS)

 Germany was one of the first countries to develop service robots. As part of the German Federal
Ministry of Education and Research’s “Service Robotics Innovation Lead
Initiative,” it sponsored a collaborative project called DESIRE (Deutsche Servicerobotik Initiative-
Germany Service Robotics Initiative) which was launched on October 1, 2005. Some of the expected work
to be performed by DESIRE are the following: (1) “Clear up the kitchen table” – all objects on top of the
kitchen table will be moved to where they belong; (2) “Fill the dishwasher” – the dirty dishes will be sorted
correctly into the dishwasher; and (3) “Clear up this room” – all objects that are not in their proper places
will be moved to where they belong.

Moral and Ethical Issues in Advanced Technology

Individuals and organizations use technology to enhance their daily operations, be it business,
learning, construction, or medical activities. Advancement in technology does not elicit ethical or moral
issues, but it is the use of technological inventions that raises these issues.
Ethical dilemmas arise when there are competing goods and competing evils. In regard to IT, the
sharing of private information within an organization raises the question of whether the action is moral or
immoral. Information systems enable people to manipulate records within a short period, thus raising
questions on whether the information is genuine or vague.
In addition, will genetic engineering improve the quality of life or destroy it? These are some of
ethical dilemmas that are yet to be solved. Furthermore, biotechnology raises some moral issues. It is
difficult to justify the use of living organisms during research and other technological discoveries. For
instance, vitro fertilization enables women who are not in a position to have their own children to undergo
the process. Religious groups are opposed to such practices because their beliefs do not agree with them.
Similarly, the uses of technology have the capability of making many innocent people to suffer;
this is a moral concern. For example, nuclear technology has the potential of killing many people, and
consequently destroying the environment. This raises some health problems. People affected by nuclear
emissions, such as those witnessed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, are deemed to be genetically impaired.
Such effects can affect the next generations of affected individuals.
The use of computers also raises health issues. Even though computer makes our work easier, it is
evident that prolonged use of computers results to repetitive stress injuries.
Regarding job displacement, machines have enabled companies to cut down their labor force. Many
companies use technological tools and knowledge, such as robots and computer to run their business
operations. Some people are forced to take different roles other than their qualification requirements and
others are faced with stress related to work difficulties. But there are other examples of potential ethical
dilemmas in scientific research and technology. There are things like genetic engineering, where people
worry that we might one day create super-humans that will outcompete regular humans. There is
surveillance technology, making people wonder how human rights could be violated. People ask questions
about whether we're going where only God should tread, and whether we should do something just because
we can. The implications of many of these technologies are complex and philosophical.
The biggest risk to our future is not that technology will take over but that we will become too much
like technology. Let’s think about where it’s going.
Let’s balance the EQ with the IQ. We should think of technology not as what we seek but rather how
we seek – it is a tool we should embrace, not one we should become.

5 Science, Technology, and Society (STS)

 Task 1. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
After reading the article, answer the following questions:

1. What is the importance of technology in human society?

2. What are the human rights-based approach to science, technology, and development?
3. Why should human rights be at the core of scientific and technological advancement?
4. What is the danger of using human rights as merely decorative moral dimension of scientific
and technological policies?
5. Do people really need technology in their lives? Is it really a necessity?
6. How do you reconcile the “need “for technology and the dilemma/s it faces?

Task 2. GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

Using a graphic organizer, list down some technology you see or you use at home, at school or in
your community, and in social media. Categorize them according to their purpose (transportation,
communication, education, etc.). Describe briefly how you or the community use these technologies you
mention.

From the graphic organizer you completed, choose two technologies in each category, and give
their risks and benefits as regards to their purpose. Explain briefly each point you included.
Technology Benefits Risks

Task 3. ESSAY

Choose a topic on the following and think of its perceived effects and dilemma that it entails. Discuss
your stand on a technological dilemma and roles played by the technological advancement in the lives of
the people.
6 Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
 A. What if robots become sentient, must we give them robot rights?
B. Google and stupidity
C. Genetically Modified Organisms and Food Safety

➢ Wits main claim to objectivity and systematic methodology is at the very least flawed. Science and
technology have aided us in our survival and helped us outsmart our adversaries, provided us
comfortable living, allowed us to explore the world, and assisted us in discovering more about
ourselves and the truth.
➢ It is undeniably true that man constantly aims for good life and has worked hard in pointing out
what amounts to be good and what happiness means to them. Science and technology have been
at the forefronts of man’s attempts at finding this happiness and attaining good life for many if not
all of us.
➢ In our modern times, there are different advancements given by science and technology. However,
there are still problems faced by these technological advancements specifically on the ethical
aspects in nature and mankind. It is now impossible for technology and humanity not to cross paths
and it is necessary that ethics be enforced in the field of technology to ensure safety and morality
of these advancements to living things.

Using the title “My Ideal Technology”, think of an issue (be it environmental, economical,
transportation, etc.), and come up with a technology that would somehow address the issue. Give a
description of the features of your technology. What are its benefits and drawbacks to the society?

“My Ideal Technology”

7 Science, Technology, and Society (STS)

 Self-Evaluation

PART OF THE LESSON / MODULE THAT

I find most I would like to work
I find most interesting I find most difficult
challenging further

Rate your learning experience in using this module according to the following scale. Put a
check mark on your response.

4 – I learned a lot from this module.

3 – I learned just right.
2 – I still need guidance on certain topics.
1 – I did not understand anything.

Blitz, M. (2014). “Understanding Heidegger on Technology,” The New Atlantis, Number 41,
Winter, pp 63-80

Mcnamara et al., (2018). Science, Technology and Society. C & E Publishing, Inc. Patria, Javier
et al. Science, Technology and Society, pp 63-74

Serafica et al., (2018). Science, Technology and Society. Rex Bookstore

Macat Thinking News. (2006) Aristotle’s Secret to Happiness: What will make us happy now?
Accessed February 3, 2017. https://www.macat.com/blog/aristotle’s - secret-happiness ▪ The Basics of
Philosophy. (2008). Theism. Accessed February 3,2017.

http://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_theism.html.

8 Science, Technology, and Society (STS)