CHAPTER II

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND

SOCIETY AND THE HUMAN
CONDITION

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 Lesson 1
Technology As A Way of
Revealing

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Introduction
 Comparing the lives of the people and now will make anyone realize the changes that
happened in society not just in terms of culture, language, or rights but more importantly,
changes in people’s way of life due to the existence of science and technology.
The term “generation gap” is attributed mainly to the changes brought about technology.
Although the original idea is for technology to help everyone, it cannot be denied until today, not
everyone is comfortable in using the different kinds of technologies. Mostly those who belong to
the older generation think that these technologies are too complicated to operate. They have been
used to the simple living in the past and these available technological devices, though very
appealing, are a difficult puzzle to them.

Lesson Objectives:

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

1. explain the concept of human condition before science technology;
2. identify the change that happened in human condition after science and technology; and
3. name ways on how technology aided in revealing the truth about the human being.

Class Duration: 3 hours

Lesson Proper

The Human Condition Before Common Era

Our early ancestors' primal need to survive paved way for the invention of several
developments. Gifted with brains more advanced than other creatures, humans are able to utilize
abundant materials for their own ease and comfort. As it is difficult to pinpoint the particular
period where technology is said to have started, one can say that at the very least, the motivation
to make things easier has been around since humans are. Homo erectus have been using fire to
cook, through chipping one flint over the other to produce a spark, all the while without realizing
the laws of friction and heat. Tools from stone and flints marked the era of the Stone Age,
during the advent of our very own Homo sapiens, and humans began to sharpen stones as one
would a knife; an example of this is the simple machine called wedge. This particular period
proved to be difficult for our ancestors, but in a remarkably distinct way. There is little to no
written accounts except for several cave drawings and unearthed artifacts from various parts of
the world that narrate how their culture came to be. It then proves that there is little capacity for
our ancestors to contemplate and perceive things outside themselves in a more reflective manner.
For instance, there are several excavations in different parts of Europe of miniature statues
prevalent during the Paleolithic period, the so-called "Venus" figure. It depicts a rudimentary
carving of a voluptuous woman out of ivory or stone. The reason behind this is still unknown to
archaeologists and anthropologists alike; they can only infer that the humans of yesterday have a
certain fixation on the female anatomy. What did this fascination translate to? Lack of conclusive
evidence hinders us from proceeding any further. Soon enough, people discovered minerals and
began forging metalwork. They realized that these substances are more durable, malleable, and
have more luster than the previous material. On the other hand, there are some indicators that
humans in the past share the same concerns and interests, suggesting that these inclinations
persist through multitudes of generation over several millennia. Fur clothing and animal skin are
primarily used for comfort against harsh winds—our ancestors are able to draw the connection
between their being naked and vulnerable due to some lack of fur or protective covering which
would otherwise allow them to withstand extreme weather conditions. They begin to cover
themselves up out of necessity, and gradually, added several more to their garments. Some
of those found at excavation sites are reminiscent of early accessories, suggesting that our
ancestors have been deeply engaged in the concept of beauty. Perhaps, they had taken a
liking to a certain shiny stone, or a perfectly shaped bone, and wanted to wear it as trophy. What
does this tell of them and their philosophies? Were they perhaps proud to show off their hunt and
how good of a hunter they were? Were they concerned with social standing and stratification?
How about the meaning of life? Were they also curious on finding explanations to certain
phenomena? At least for the last question, it seems that they have found their answer in the
person of religion. Excavations on the latter half of the Stone Age include several figures thought
to be ceremonial, meaning, that perhaps people of the time had also painstakingly wrought and
hewed said figures in honor of some deity. This notion, as it was then and as it is now, is often
people’s resort to make sense of events happening outside their control. The initial roster of
primitive gods includes objects they encounter through their day-to-day lives, so it is not
surprising that different tribes may have different gods. Those who might have lived alongside
majestic creatures, such as elephants and mammoths, might have been awed by their size and
worshiped them as the owner of the land, asking for blessings in their hunting ground. On the
contrary, they might have hunted the mammoths for their woolly coat and meat, taking down the
animal for the entire community to eat. In windy places near mountains, they might have had a
mountain god to explain wind currents and ask for provisions. On the other hand, those who
were near coastal areas or bodies of water might have had water gods they referred to when
asking for a good catch. However, it might be also the case that people of prior civilizations
shared several generic gods, such as the sun. Nevertheless, it can be positively inferred that like
the people of today, our ancestors also found the need to explain things in a way that makes
sense to them. They quickly realized that there are events outside of their control and attempted
to justify things as being a work of a supernatural being. Throughout the course of history,
religion remains to be the strongest contender to science arguably due to its most easily grasped.
Admittedly, once people stop connecting the dots between cause and effect, they turn to
something that would possibly explain their inadequacies in making sense of the world. The
people of yesterday appeared to have acknowledged early on that they could only do and
understand as much, that perhaps other alongside them. This notion effectively humbled and
perhaps grounded them, with their constant befuddlement serving as an early reminder that they
were way behind several larger, more powerful forces in nature in terms of order of things.

The Human Condition in the Common Era

For a long time, humans were content with their relationship with nature. Earliest case of
man-made extinction occurred over 12,000 years ago, possibly brought upon by hunting and
territorial disputes. The Holocene extinction, also called the sixth extinction or more aptly
Anthropocene extinction, occurred from as early as between 100,000 to 200,000 years up to the
present. It pertains to the ongoing extinction of several species—both flora and fauna—due to
human activity. Driven by their primal need. to survive and gaining the upper hand in terms of
development and adaptability, humans were quick to find ways to drive off other megafaunas
threatening a prospective hunting spot and eventually, settling grounds. Growing population also
necessitated finding additional resources, leading to overhunting and overfishing common prey,
some of which were endemic to the area. Hunting, coupled with a changing terrain that the
humans began cultivating when agriculture emerged some 9,000 years ago, caused several
species to lose competition in territory and food resources. Formation of communities caused
humans to expand more in territory and more people to feed; large, separate communities hailing
from the same ancestors and residing in the same large community paved way for civilizations.
Even as a community, the people realized that though they were at most self-sufficient, they
were in constant need of resources. Albeit waging wars with other tribes seemed to be the early
solution, they were able to find out some 5,000 years ago that engaging in a peaceful negotiation
was also a possible and less bloody method. They realized that they could get hold of things do
not present in their towns by offering something of same value present in theirs. It is in this
process that trade emerged, leading to cross-town and eventually cross-cultural interaction as
more products were exchanged and the initial needs extended to wants. People then had a new
objective—gather as much products as possible. They have turned to wealth as one of their goals
as humans and ultimately as civilizations, for they perceived that those who have many, live
comfortably and thus are generally happier than those who do not have sufficient wealth. Thus,
they began to hunt, farm, and produce things prospect of profit. A nuclear community which is
initially self-sufficient has to accommodate their growing population with depleting resources,
leading them to be reliant to other communities' produce which keeps them surviving. In return,
these communities have to make use of their current resources twice as much to provide for other
community’s needs. Products of every kind were exchanged, ranging from necessary ones such
as crops, cattle, poultry, others of kind, and clothing materials, up to metals, accessories,
weapons, spices, literature, and entertainment. They were able to find and create niches for
interests. When they could not sell products, they used their skills and got compensated for it—
bringing forth a specialized group of artisans. Humanity became more complex. The
primary goal was not merely to survive, but to live the good life. Technology has been
instrumental in all of these because in searching for the good life, people were able to come up
with creations that would make life easier, more comfortable, and more enriching. Although the
good life envisioned before might be pale in comparison to the multifariousness of today, it
offered us the initial intricacies of how today came to be. Such intricacies are also evident in the
machines created and causes endeavored by the people of long ago. They perceive death as, at
the very least, unpleasant and concocted potions to ward evil off from their kinsmen, often
appealing to their gods for blessings. Medicine was thus born, although it would take a
considerably long time before it part ways with potion. They became fixated with gold and were
adamant in procuring more, trying to use incantations with mixtures of substances to turn lead
into one. This ultimately paved way for the emergence of chemistry in its primitive form, not
quite distinct from alchemy. Due to differing races, belief, or abundance of resources and/or
territory, wars were always being waged, leading communities to allocate resources to the
militia. Initially, the early leaders were those who portrayed exceptional strength among their
group—this condition carried on for generations. Physical strength was valued at most, although
there appeared to be as many intellectually gifted figures just the same. These innovators were
primarily the ones behind discoveries and triumphs of these civilizations. Position-wise, the
humans of today are much better off compared to humans several centuries ago. Advancements
in medicine, technology, health, and education ushered in humanity's best yet, and show no sign
of stopping. Below are some of the notable comparisons then and now:
1. Mortality Rate. Due to technology, lesser women and children die during birth,
assuring robust population and strong workforce. Medical care for premature infants allows
them to survive and develop normally, while proper maternal care ensures that mothers can fully
recover and remain empowered.
2. Average Lifespan. Aside from the reason that people engage less in combat and are
less likely to die in treatable diseases now as opposed to then, science is able to prolong lives by
enhancing living status and discovering different remedies to most diseases. Distribution of
medicines is also made easier and faster.
3. Literacy Rate. Access to education provided to more individuals generally creates a
more informed public that could determine a more just society.
4. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Although not an indicator of an average person’s
lifestyle in a certain country, it is often used to determine the value of the country’s goods and
services produced within the territory given a certain time period. Higher country income is
brought upon by high productivity, often an indicator of presence of technology.

The Essence of Technology

Humanity has indeed come a long way from our primitive ways, and as a general rule, it
is said that we are more "developed" than we were before. Above data are few indicators of the
route that we have come to take as species, and there are no signs of stopping. Modern humans
are reliant on technology in their search for the good life. We see ways and means from nature to
utilize and achieve growth—a goal that we believe would bring forth betterment. In retrospect,
this view of technology proves to be goal oriented. It assumes that it is instrumental in achieving
a goal in mind, that it is a purposeful, deliberate craft humans steer in order to reach some greater
good. In the advent of postmodernism, however, the deterministic view appended to technology
crumbled as people began to question if anything is deterministic at all. Apart from its purpose,
what is technology? Was the history of technology brought purposeful choices for man in his
search for the ultimate good? Some tried to redefine technology away from its purpose. One
philosopher by the name of Martin Heidegger argued that its essence, or purpose, and being are
different from each other. He was able to expound on this point upon identifying that technology
can either be perceived as first, a means to achieve man's end and second, that which constitutes
human activity.
The second perspective paints technology in such a way that each period reveals a
particular character regarding man's being. A characteristic design, or flaw, unfolds based on the
repercussions brought upon by immersing ourselves with a piece of new technology. In effect,
through technology, a myriad of new questions begins to mount. Rather than thinking that
humans have a clear idea of what to expect in a good life, it can be stated that technology allows
humans to confront the unknown and see how they would react. This is not a good thing
altogether though, for technological revelation is but one of the many ways to perceive the
world. However, as long as humans are invested in growth and development, we cannot distance
ourselves from this perspective. In the name of growth, we view the world as a field of resources,
vent on attributing monetary value on seemingly prices entities. We begin to categorize nature as
renewable and nonrenewable instead of seeing it as it is. Humans are reduced into the amount of
productivity they are able to render during their lifetime, and our current mindset is geared
toward which would utilize our own skills. A good life is one which is practical in essence; a life
which makes use of our labor and which we of the get compensated fairly upon. It is no wonder
that the sciences are one most sought after courses, for the opportunities are plenty and the
resources are bountiful. Since humans appear not to really know what they are seeking for, the
search continues. It is a looming fear, however, that the path we are treading will not take us to
the right direction, leading us in endless circles instead in our pursuit of the good life. This is the
danger presented by too much reliance on technology. Humans lose track of things that matter,
reducing their surroundings to their economic value. As this presents strong backing by the
sciences whose reverence is also brought upon by our deluded enchantment with technology, it
will prove to be a herculean task to distance ourselves from this perspective and consider
alternatives. After all, it was science and technology that gave us explanations, which worked for
us and benefited us. Rejecting a working, tried-and-tested process seems foolish, more so,
knowing that there are no options of equal value. It will be absurd to venture the dark and the
unknown, but it should be done in order for us to retrace our steps to be able to achieve the
Good.

Backtracking the Human Condition

Technology's initial promises proved to be true, regardless of its ramifications. All in all,
the human condition improved, only if by improving we measure the level of comfort, various
scientific breakthroughs, and improved lifestyles of those who had the luxury to afford to do so.
Different machineries aid in prolonging lives—assisting those with disabilities, honing efficiency
in industrial workplaces, and even exploring the universe for places we can thrive once all the
Earth's resources are depleted. As to the initial aims, it appears that things really did not much
differ. Some places in the world are still battling for their daily survival— diseases, tribe wars,
lack of habitable territories, and competitions on resources are several factors contributing to
such. People still wage wars on the basis of races, belief, and abundance of resources and/or
territory; except that now, they are able to inflict such in a global scale. A lot of people still
subscribe to religion in explaining things that they do not know. For those who have ceased to do
so, they have turned their worships to reverence of science. Whether science or religion, these
people are still bent on trying to make sense of the events happening in the world on the basis of
either of these two paradigms. They are still trying to discover and rediscover things that would
give meaning to their lives—whether it be honor, strength, or merit. People are still trying to
make sense of their existence in the world, and technology does little to aid them in their pursuit
of life's meaning.
It seems that the human condition, although more sophisticated, is nothing but a
rehashed version of its former self. Nothing much has changed since then, and it appears that
nothing will change in the times to come if we fail to shift our view elsewhere. While it is true
that technology offered us one compelling notion of the truth and the good, we should be staunch
in our resolve if we want to know the real one. For starters, we might begin with considering
other concepts, which corresponds to the Good, such as Aristotle's conception of human
flourishing. His notion entertains the idea of holistic enrichment of a person situated in his
society. A notable distinction on Aristotle's idea is his subscription on evaluative concepts called
virtues and their role in achieving the good life. Technological advancements are seemingly
occurring in a rapid pace that our morality cannot quite keep up; no such consideration was given
in this approach in achieving the good life. This will further be discussed in the following
chapters.

SUMMARY
Science and technology has been part of human activity since the beginning of our
species. It has aided us in 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. However, it also leads us to a paradox in which we are only able to see
the world in the lenses of technological innovations. In our pursuit of growth, we had
conveniently forgotten that technology only presents one approach in viewing the world. This
forgetfulness leads US to evaluate objects as consumable or not transcending to other human
beings, determining their capacity to be productive. Our valuation of things became one-
dimensional, geared toward production of goods for more consumption, which we believe would
lead us to the good life. This is only one conception of technology, as Heidegger also proposed
that technology is what humans do. Advancements in the field expose us to previously unknown
predicaments, effectively helping us to reveal our own natures and enforcing one perspective in
finding the truth. Now that it is acknowledged, we can try and divert our search to other
approaches.