SCIENCE

✓ Comes from the Latin word, ‘scientia’ meaning ‘knowledge’

✓ Refers to a systematic and methodical activity of building and organizing knowledge .
✓According to John Heilbron “modern science is a discovery as well as invention”.

TECHNOLOGY
✓comes from the Greek root word, technē, meaning ‘art, skill, or cunning of hand.
✓The application of scientific knowledge, laws, and principles to produce things aimed at
solving real-world problems.
✓Things that fulfill our needs and desires.

Mark Zuckerberg’s definition of technology

✓technology is something that takes a human’s sense or ability and augments it and makes it
more powerful.
✓So, for example, I wear contact lenses or glasses; that is a technology that enhances my
human ability of vision and makes it better.”

The Birth of STS as a Field of Study

Two important periods of the 20th Century of history.
✓First, The period between the end of World War 1 and the beginning of World War II (Interwar
Period).
✓ Second, the period after World War II, commencing in 1945 until roughly 1991 (Cold War).

Is Science Dangerous?
✓ In the Medawar Lecture 1998, Wolpert (2005) responds to this question.
✓ “In contrast to technology, reliable scientific knowledge is value-free and has no moral or
ethical value” (p. 1254).

“The conflation of science and technology”

✓The conflation( merging) of science and technology is a serious problem according to Wolpert
because science produces ideas on how the world works. Whilst technology produces
functional objects that we can use every day.

Socially Responsible Science

✓“We live in a society absolutely dependent on science and technology and yet have cleverly
arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. That’s a clear
prescription for disaster.” -popular American scientist Carl Sagan quoted in Tom Head’s (2006)
book

What is a good science?

✓accurate and reliable research.
✓oppose misuse or abuse in the application of research findings.
✓ attend to both the limitations and the foreseeable impacts of their work.
✓ participate in discussions and decisions regarding the appropriate use of science in
addressing societal issues and concerns.
✓bring their specialized knowledge and expertise to activities and discussions that promote the
education of students and fellow citizens.
✓enhance and facilitate informed decision-making and democracy.

Public Understanding of Science

✓ The goal of Science, Technology, and Society is to enhance public understanding of
science.Historically, scientific knowledge has been exclusive, creating a gap between scientists
and the public. To thrive in modern society, public participation in science is crucial for
addressing issues affecting daily lives.
✓Good science education empowers citizens in science-driven economies, fosters democratic
participation, and benefits the scientific community. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic,
countries with a strong public understanding of science, like South Korea, demonstrated
effective responses through openness, transparency, and public engagement in decision-
making. This highlights the significance of public comprehension for successful governance in
science-related matters.

Ethical dilemmas
✓Ethical dilemmas involve difficult choices where no single approach fully adheres to ethical
guidelines, societal norms, or personal morals. In science and technology, these dilemmas
require decisions that balance potential benefits against risks to human health, safety, and
security.
✓For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic posed dilemmas like reopening the economy amidst
rising cases. Addressing such challenges involves navigating complex decisions while
considering ethical guidelines. Pandemics, including COVID-19, represent some of the most
challenging ethical dilemmas in science and technology. Dr. Jessica Baron and the John J.
Reilly Center annually publish a top 10 list of emerging ethical dilemmas, highlighting ongoing
ethical challenges in the field.

Top 10 Ethical Dilemmas

1. Robot abuse
✓Why would anyone hit a robot? And why is it so uncommon?
2. Doomscrolling
✓ Should you put down your phone for your mental health?
3. Your "Digital Twin"
✓ A digital version of yourself could involve everything from your genome to your search
history. But will it be used for good?
4. The tech battle for the Arctic
✓A new "Cold War" or the setting for WWIII?
5. Secret surveillance apps
✓Is someone tracking your every move? You may not even know what apps lurk in your
devices.
6. Facebook
✓Is it time to stop pretending that this platform is making our lives better?
7. Selfie medicine
✓ Is this the future of medical care?
8. The sleep-tracking app that alters your dreams
✓ Real-life Inception: cool or creepy?
9. CIVVL
✓ A most uncivil app for evicting people from their homes
10. The weaponization of data voids
✓People are creating rabbit holes of misinformation.

Historical Antecedents and Inventions Across time and context

Antecedent
✓defined as the precursor to the unfolding or existence of something.
✓factors that paved the way for the presence of advanced and sophisticated scientific and
technological innovations today.

3 Historical stages of S&T

1.Ancient Period
✓The rise of ancient civilizations paved the way for advances in S&T which allowed civilizations
to flourish by finding better ways of living, communication, transportation, and self-organization

2.The Middle Ages

✓ Alzso known as Medieval Times( 500 AD to 1500 AD(1000 years))
✓It covers the time from the fall of the Roman Empire to the rise of the Ottoman Empire.
✓ This was a time of castles and peasants, guilds and monasteries, cathedrals and crusades.

3.Modern Era
✓also known as the Modern Age or Modern Period(1500 to 1945).
✓It is divided into two periods:the Early Modern Period and the Late Modern Period.

Ancient Age
✓Ancient Age characterized by reliance on protoscience, a period when the scientific method
was in its early stages.
✓Proper science and the scientific method developed during the Middle Ages.
✓Knowledge passed down through generations via oral tradition.
✓Focus on survival hindered the development of science during this period.
✓Ancient civilizations emerged, including Mesopotamia, Indus, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece,
Ancient China, and Ancient Rome.
✓Foundations of proper science laid in these civilizations
✓Forms of writing played a crucial role in documenting and transmitting knowledge
✓Advanced modes of transportation began to take shape in ancient civilizations
✓Transition from hunting to agriculture led to a surplus of food
✓Civilized conditions allowed for the pursuit of knowledge beyond survival activities

Outstanding Ancient Age Inventions

Ancient Wheel
✓The ancient wheel evolved from the potter's wheel, a horizontal disk of hardened clay spun on
an axis.
✓Sumerians are credited with inventing the potter's wheel around 3500 B.C.
✓The wheel was likely shifted to a 90-degree angle for transportation purposes.
✓It is attributed to the Sumerians.
✓It took 1000 to 1500 years for the wheel to be used on carts.

Paper
✓Around 3000 B.C., ancient Egyptians started using papyrus, a material similar to thick paper,
for writing.
✓Papyrus was made from the papyrus plant near the Nile River.
✓Before papyrus, writing was primarily done on stone and reserved for significant occasions.
✓The advent of papyrus revolutionised documentation and record-keeping.
✓Papyrus makes records more durable and efficient.

Shadoof
✓Invented by ancient Egyptians, was used to irrigate land.
✓It was a hand-operated device designed for lifting water, playing a crucial role in agricultural
irrigation.
✓The shadoof introduced the concept of lifting objects using counterweights, showcasing early
engineering ingenuity.
✓It enhanced the efficiency of irrigation and farming practices among the ancient Egyptians.

Antikythera mechanism
✓ discovered in 1902 in Greece, is considered the ancient world’s analogue computer.
✓ Resembling a mantel clock.
✓ It featured a knob, similar to winding a clock, designed to display celestial time,used for
predicting astronomical positions and eclipses.
✓ Originating between 250-87 B.C., the Antikythera mechanism is among the oldest known
precursors to modern clockwork.
✓ It served calendrical and astrological purposes.

Aeolipile
✓The aeolipile, or Hero's engine, is an ancient steam-powered turbine considered a precursor
to the steam engine.
✓Invented by Hero of Alexandria in the first century A.D., it rotated when its central water
container was heated.
✓The device, with tangentially pointed nozzles, showcased early steam power but its practical
applications remain unclear.
✓Hero's aeolipile is a significant milestone in the historical evolution of steam-based
technology.

THE MIDDLE AGES

✓The Middle Ages, spanning from the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th
century A.D. to the late 15th century A.D., witnessed significant scientific and technological
progress.
✓Contrary to the terms "Medieval Period" and "Dark Ages," this era was marked by
advancements, new inventions, innovations in traditional production, and the emergence of
scientific thinking and method.
✓it can be divided into three subperiods: Early Middle Ages (476-1000 A.D.), High Middle Ages
(1000-1250 A.D.), and Late Middle Ages (1250-1500 A.D.).

The Early Middle Ages (476-1000 A.D.)

✓The Early Middle Ages (476-1000 A.D.) followed the collapse of the Roman Empire, marked
by societal focus on peacekeeping and empire building rather than centers of learning.
✓Often labeled as the "true Dark Ages,"
✓Examples include Saint Bede's records, craftmanship by Vikings and Saxons, and Norse
sailors using stars for navigation.
✓In China, Bi Sheng invented movable type printing towards the end of this period, replacing
woodblock printing.
✓ Had limited scientific and technological advancements.
✓ monks in Western Europe studied medicine and astronomy for practical purposes.
✓In 725 A.D., Buddhist monk Yi Xing in Asia invented the world's first mechanical clock using
water to measure time.

The High Middle Ages (1000-1250 A.D.)

✓ Marked a period of European recovery from constant warfare and population growth.
✓ Prolonged conflicts between Christians and Muslims and territorial disputes in Spain and the
East characterized the era.
✓ Translation efforts, initiated by Muslims translating Greek to Arabic.
✓ Medieval universities, such as the University of Bologna, Oxford, Cambridge, and Paris,
played a vital role in hosting scholars and fostering knowledge exchange.
✓ Gerard of Cremona from the Italian School of Translators contributed to blending ancient
Greek knowledge with Muslim discoveries.
✓ Christian scholasticism, focused on theology, initiated the connection between scientific
empiricism and religion.
✓ Thomas Aquinas, Robert Grosseteste, and Roger Bacon worked on establishing the
scientific method during the 12th century.
✓ Technological advancements were present, such as Su Song's "cosmic empire" clock in
China (1092) and navigational compasses used in Chinese ships by 1000 A.D.
✓ The efficient compass technology spread to Europe through Arab traders.
Late Middle Ages (1250-1500)
✓ The Late Middle Ages (1250-1500) marked the transition from medieval to modern society.
✓ William of Ockham proposed Ockham's Razor, influencing modern science with the principle
of preferring simpler theories.
✓ Jean Buridan challenged Aristotelian physics, developing the theory of impetus, a precursor
to Newtonian physics.
✓ Thomas Bradwardine and colleagues differentiated kinematics from dynamics and proposed
the mean speed theorem, precursor to Galileo's work on falling objects.
✓ Nicolas d'Oresme discussed a heliocentric universe theory, suggesting Earth's rotation two
centuries before Copernicus.
✓ Scholars during this period became more open to natural explanations, seeking simpler
causes for phenomena without relying on divine intervention.
✓ the Late Middle Ages' contributions were overshadowed by the Renaissance and the Age of
Enlightenment, and the Black Death disrupted scientific and technological progress.
✓ The Renaissance (1400-1600) would later bring about a resurgence of knowledge that had
taken a backseat during the Middle Ages.

Outstanding Middle Age Inventions

Heavy Plough
✓The heavy plough made it possible to harness clay soil, leading to increased agricultural
productivity.
✓According to University of Southern Denmark professor Thomas Bernebeck Andersen, the
impact of the heavy plough was transformative, turning European agriculture and economy on
its head.
✓The heavy plough revolutionized agriculture in Northern Europe.
✓This innovation resulted in rapid economic prosperity in the northern territories, marked by
higher and healthier agricultural yields.

Gunpowder
✓ Gunpowder, invented around 850 A.D. by Chinese alchemists, was likely an accidental
by-product of attempts to create the elixir of life.
✓ Known as huoyao or "fire potion" in Chinese, gunpowder revolutionized warfare.
✓ Gunpowder enabled the development of various weapons, from fiery arrows to cannons and
grenades.
✓ Gunpowder became the foundation for nearly every new weapon used in war since its
discovery, shaping the course of military technology and strategy.

Paper money.
✓ the precursor to modern banknotes, originated in China in the 7th century A.D. as an
outgrowth of block printing.
✓ Before the introduction of paper money, precious metals like gold and silver were used as
currency.
✓ Mongols in the 13th century attempted to introduce paper money in the Middle East, but it
failed.
✓Eventually, traders and merchants recognized the significant advantage of using paper money
due to its ease of transport compared to traditional forms of currency.
✓ banknotes in Europe began in the 17th century.

Mechanical clocks
✓ able to accurately keep track of time down to the minute and second.
✓While ancient timekeeping devices like the Antikythera mechanism existed, it was in the
Middle Ages that clockwork technology advanced to enable precise timekeeping.
✓It transforms how people structured their days and established work patterns.
✓Mechanical clocks played a crucial role in shaping the modern understanding and
measurement of time.

The spinning wheel

✓ a crucial invention of the Middle Ages, revolutionized the process of transforming fiber into
thread or yarn for weaving cloth.
✓ Indians invented the spinning wheel between the 6th and 11th centuries A.D.
✓ The invention of the spinning wheel, according to White (1974), significantly increased the
speed of fiber spinning, overcoming a bottleneck in cloth production.
✓the spinning wheel was introduced to Europe in the 13th century A.D., transforming the textile
industry.

The Modern Age

✓ spans from the 1500s to the present, representing the postmedieval era.
✓It is characterized by global population growth, technological advancements, urbanization,
scientific discoveries, and increased globalization.
✓It is divided into subperiods: the early modern period and the late modern period.
✓It shapes the course of human history in terms of politics, economics, culture, and technology.

The Early Modern Period

✓ laid the foundations for the Great Divergence, during which the West surpassed pre-modern
growth and achieved unprecedented wealth and power in the 19th century.
✓It commenced with Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the movable type printing press,
enhancing knowledge production efficiency and leading to increased literacy rates and
educational reforms.
✓The period saw the 14th-16th century Renaissance and the 16th-century Protestant
Reformation, driven by improved access to knowledge.
✓The Early Modern Period witnessed a shift from older scientific methods to empiricism and
modern science during the 16th and 17th-century scientific revolutions.
✓ Roger Bacon, laid the foundation for the scientific method, influenced experimentation and
hypothesis testing in this period.
✓The accessibility of knowledge led to improvements in transportation, the secularization of
politics, and the growth of capitalism, contributing to the rise of powerful nations.

The Late Modern Period

✓spanning from around 1750 to 1815, witnessed significant political, social, and economic
changes influenced by the First Industrial Revolution, the American Revolution (1776), and the
French Revolution (1789).
✓The First Industrial Revolution, starting in 1750, transformed the production of goods, altering
the economic, societal, and cultural frameworks.
✓The inventions of the internal combustion engine, steam-powered ships, and railways.
✓Mass production in factories became a model for various fields.
✓ Increased production and economic growth led to a shift in consumer behavior.
✓The French and American Revolutions in the late 18th century replaced monarchy with
national sovereignty and representative democracy
✓It laid the groundwork for the Contemporary Period, marked by urbanization, education,
increased political participation, consumption of mass media, and the embrace of citizenship in
industrialized nations.
✓Urbanization and mass media contributed to a shared mass culture, connecting people.

Outstanding Modern Age Inventions

The compound microscope

✓ was invented in 1590 by Zacharias Janssen, a Dutch spectacle maker, in collaboration with
his father.
✓Through experiments with lenses.
✓The Janssen compound microscope represented a significant advancement from the single
lens microscope, offering magnification up to three times when fully closed and up to 10 times
when extended to the maximum.
✓Today, the compound microscope plays a crucial role in various scientific studies, including
medicine, forensic studies, tissue analysis, atomic studies, and genetics.

Practical telescope
✓Galileo Galilei built the practical telescope, a pivotal technological invention in the study of
astronomy.
✓ This telescope could magnify objects 20 times larger than the Dutch perspective glasses,
marking a significant improvement.
✓Galileo was the first to use the telescope for astronomical observations, leading to
groundbreaking discoveries such as craters and mountains on the moon.
✓Galileo's use of the telescope revolutionized astronomical science.

The Jacquard loom

✓ invented by French weaver Joseph Marie Jacquard, was crucial in driving the Industrial
Revolution.
✓Before its invention, textile manufacturing relied on draw looms, requiring both a weaver and
a "drawboy" for figured designs on textiles.
✓Introduced in 1801, the Jacquard loom simplified the process using a series of cards with
punched holes to automatically create complex textile designs.
✓This innovation reduced the need for manual labour and made mass production of intricate
designs more efficient.
✓ The Jacquard loom also served as an early precursor to modern computer technology by
using punched cards to instruct machines.

Engine Powered Airplane

✓Orville and Wilbur Wright are credited with designing and successfully operating the first
engine-powered aircraft on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
✓Their original "Flying Machine" patent (US patent #821393) emphasised slightly-tilted wings,
referred to as aeroplanes, as the key features of a powered aircraft.
✓The success of their pioneering flight marked the beginning of the age of powered flights,
demonstrating that aircraft could fly without traditional airfoil-shaped wings.

Television
✓John Logie Baird, a Scottish engineer, is largely credited with the invention of the modern
television.
✓Baird successfully televised objects in outline in 1924, recognizable human faces in 1925, and
moving objects in 1926 at the Royal Institution in London.
✓ He demonstrated colored images in 1928, and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
used Baird's television technology for its earliest programming in 1929.