UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
INSTRUCTOR: MRS. CECILIA K.POGONGAN
UNIT 1: NATURE OF SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY AND
SOCIETY
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Science 100: Science, Technology, and Society.
Curiosity leads to discovery,which helps us understand life more and more.
Discoveries in science and technology in recent years had profound impact on
our society. Scientific knowledge is used to create new technologies often allow
scientists to explore nature in different ways and make new discoveries .The invention of
telescope and microscope help science advance.
Science is never static.It is always discovering,uncovering, and putting together
new ideas, new ways of looking at the natural and man-built environment. With all the
fascinating discoveries, it is important that we understand the scientific principles
behind such advancement.
We need science and technology in every sphere of our life like to treat diseases.
We are now able to communicate easier with the use of the internet and cellular
phones.Doctors have found ways to replaced damaged body parts through prostheses
and organ transplants.
Life in this day and age is moving at a faster rate because of discoveries in
science and technology.Therefore, it is important that you take the time to learn them.
CECILIA K. POGONGAN
D life more and more
UNIT 1: NATURE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND
SOCIETY
MODULE 1
LESSON LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
A. Comprehend the ideas and principles surrounding science, technology and
society;
B. Learn the relationship of science, technology, society and environment;
C. To know what is indigenous science and the indigenous knowledge practiced by
indigenous people;
D. Understand the role of man’s mind in the society;
E. Be familiar with the different organizations or agencies supporting science and
technology;
F. To learn the limitations of science and technology;
G. Be involved in upholding our society from the advancements of science and
technology.
TOPICS:
1. Relationship of science, technology, society and environment
2. Nature of society
3. The status of science and technology in the Philippines
4. Indigenous science and practices
5. Organizations or agencies supporting science and technology
TOPIC PRESENTATION:
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY
- Refers to the study of science and technology in society. That is the study of the
ways in w/c technical and social phenomena interact and influence each
other.
- Refers to studies of phenomena such as the general natures and relationships of
science and technology; the social structure and reward systems of the
professions of science and engineering and social aspect of everyday scientific
and technological activity.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
- Are dynamic processes engaged in by man to satisfy two basic needs - the first
for knowledge and the material requirements for human survival and prosperity.
- They have been around even before the words biology, physics, chemistry,
engineering, and agriculture were coined.
SCIENCE
- Is the description, understanding, and prediction of physical phenomena
through the use and generation of verifiable theories, laws, and principles.
Research and development are usual activities associated with science as a
process. Research and development involve the acquisition of new knowledge
and the utilization of such knowledge to devise new or improved products and
processes
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TECHNOLOGY
- Is the use of scientific knowledge and/or empirical knowhow for the production,
improvement, and distribution of goods and services, as well as the satisfaction
of other material needs.
- A broad concept that deals with a species’ usage and knowledge of tools and
crafts, and how it affects a species’ ability to control and adapt to its
environment.
- In human society, it is a consequences of science and engineering although
several technological advances predate the two concepts.
SOCIETY
- As an organized group of individuals who work together because of common
interests, beliefs, or practices in order to achieve a common goal.
- It embodies a common system or condition in which such groups live
together.
- The functional unit of society is the individual or man. Man, as the “thinking
mind”, is basically responsible for the intellectual concerns of the society. Man
is free from physical danger and from elements of nature for as long or as he
employs the ideas of others to generates his own ideas.
- Concerned with any area where the individual benefits from the knowledge
of science and technology.
ENVIRONMENT
- The complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors that act upon an
organism or an ecological community and ultimately determine its form and
survival
- The aggregate of social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an
individual or community
THE NATURE OF SOCIETY
THE ROLE OF MAN’S MIND IN SOCIETY
Man is described as a physically vulnerable entity because his survival depends
on how he makes practical use of his mind. However, he lives and co-exists with his
fellow individual through merging of their lives.
Man is free from physical danger and from elements of nature for as long as he
employs the ideas of others or generates his own ideas. The logical extension of this
concept is that although man lives with other men, he is a self-contained and self-
sustaining entity. To claim that man is absolute, an end to himself and not a means to
anything or anyone else is the only logical extension possible to the fact that man’s
ultimate function is the function of his mind.
Society is concerned with any area where the individual benefits from the
knowledge of science and technology. The impact of science and technology to
society somehow provides better insights and understanding on the process of life, the
human place in nature and environmental issues facing us today.
From the perspective, the meaning of society becomes clear. Man lives with
other men as long as they are willing to trade with him, not take from him, the products
of his mind. As a result, everyone stands to gain enormously. Man has access to wealth
of ideas instigated by men who lived before him and his access to this legitimate forms
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of interaction open to man in society. This can be uniting factor which can eradicate
conflict between the individual and the group of men with whom he lives - society.
What is the Current State of the STS Field?
The field of STS courses and programs appeared on the academic horizon in the
late 1960’s. A small number of undergraduate STS departments and programs exist
some of which confers their own degrees.
Can Philippine Science Evolve and Progress?
“ The Filipino has his own unique technological potential that, when given
support and the right environment with the corresponding atmosphere of freedom, he
or she can produce inventive ideas, products, and processes in an exceptional
manner on a par with international standards. Think of the fluorescent lamp,
videophone, the moon buggy, pontoon bridge, floating power tiller, mighty mite, the
sing along system, and a super lubricant used by American motorist and aircraft
makers. These are just a sampling of the many creations attributed to Filipino ingenuity”
Republic Act No. 7459, the inventors and inventions Incentive Act of the
Philippines, ”declares as a national policy the giving of priority to scientific inventions
and its utilization on the country’s productive system and national life”( DOST
Publication, 1998).
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM
- Is embedded in the daily life experience of young children as they grow up
- Their parents and older folks served as their first teachers and their methods of
teaching are very effective in transmitting cultural knowledge in their minds
- Their lessons they learned are intimately interwoven with their culture and the
environment
Indigenous
- Produced, living, or existing naturally in a particular region or environment
- Innate, inborn, native, endemic
INDIGENOUS SCIENCE
- Is part of the indigenous knowledge system practiced by different groups of
people and early civilizations
- It includes complex arrays of knowledge, expertise, practices, and
representations that guide human societies in their enumerable interactions
with the natural milieu: agriculture, medicine, naming and explaining natural
phenomena, and strategies for coping with changing environments
( Pawilen,2005 )
- Ogawa ( 1995) claimed that it is collectively lived in and experienced by the
people of a given culture.
- Pawilen (2006) develop a simple framework for understanding indigenous
science that indigenous science is composed of traditional knowledge that
uses science process skills and guided by community values and culture
1. Indigenous science uses science process skills such as observing,
comparing, classifying, measuring, problem solving, inferring,
communicating and predicting.
2. It is guided by culture and community values such as the following:
a. The land is a source of life. It is a precious gift from the creator
b. The Earth is revered as “Mother Earth”. It is the origin of their
identity as people.
c. All living and nonliving things are interconnected and
interdependent with each other.
d. Human beings are stewards or trustee of the land and other
natural resources. They have a responsibility to preserve it.
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e. Nature is a friend to human beings. It needs respect and proper
care.
3. Indigenous science is composed of traditional knowledge practiced
by people and valued by people and communities such as ethno-
biology, ethno-medicine, indigenous farming methods and folk
astronomy
- It is important in the development of science and technology in the
Philippines
- Like the ancient civilization, indigenous science gave birth to the
development of science and technology as a field of discipline and it helped
the people in understanding the natural environment and in coping with
everyday life
- UNESCO’s declaration on Science and the use of scientific knowledge (1999)
recognized science as a historical and valuable contribution to science and
technology.
- Pawilen ( 2005) explained that indigenous science knowledge has developed
diverse structures and contents through the interplay between the society
and environment
- According to Kuhn (1962 ), developmental stages of most science are
characterized by continual competition between a number of distinct views
of nature, each derived from, and all roughly compatible with the dictates of
scientific observation and method.
- Sibisi ( 2004) also pointed out that indigenous science provides the basic of
astronomy, pharmacology, food technology, or metallurgy, which were
derived from traditional knowledge and practices.
Indigenous beliefs
- develop desirable values that are relevant or consistent to scientific attitudes
as identified by Johnston (2000, namely:
1. Motivating attitudes
2. Cooperating attitudes
3. Practical attitudes
4. Reflective attitudes
- These cultural beliefs therefore can be good foundation for developing
positive values toward learning and doing science and in bringing science in
a personal level
Some examples of indigenous knowledge that are taught and practiced by the
indigenous people
1. predicting weather conditions and seasons using knowledge in observing animal
behavior and celestial bodies
2. using herbal medicine
3. preserving foods
4. classifying plants and animals into families, and groups based on cultural
properties
5. preserving and selecting good seeds for planting
6. using indigenous technology in daily lives
7. building local irrigation systems
8. classifying different types of soil for planting based on cultural properties
9. producing wines and juices from tropical fruits and vegetables in the yard
Indigenous science is important in the development of science and technology in the
Philippines. Like the ancient civilizations, indigenous science gave birth to the
development of science and technology as a field and as discipline. Indigenous
science helped the people in understanding the natural environment and in coping
with everyday life. UNESCO’s declaration on Science and the use of scientific
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knowledge (1999) recognized science as a historical and valuable contribution to
science and technology.
ORGANIZATIONS/AGENCIES SUPPORTING SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
I. THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DOST)
The Department of Science and Technology is mandated to provide central
direction of all science and technology activities throughout the country and formulate
science and technology policies, programs, and projects in support of national
development priorities.
II. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NAST)
The National Academy of Science and Technology was created in 1976 through
Presidential Decree 1003-A to recognize outstanding achievements in science and
technology and to serve as a reservoir of competent scientific and technological
manpower for the country.
In 1982, through Executive Order 818, the Academy was also formally conferred
with the function of advisory body to the President of the Republic of the Philippines
and the Cabinet on policies concerning science and technology in the country.
III. TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION AND PROMOTION INSTITUTE (TAPI )
The Technology Application and Promotion Institute was created by virtue of
Executive Order No. 128 which recognized the National Science and Technology
Authority (NSTA) into the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on January
1987.
As one of the DOST’s service agencies, TAPI’s major thrust is to promote the
transfer and commercialization of technology and market the services of other
operating units/agencies of the Department.
IV. PHILIPPINES SCIENCE HERITAGE CENTER (PSHC)
The Philippines Science Heritage Center is a convergence of the Filipino culture’s
most creative, inventive, and important contributions to science and technology. It
showcases national scientists and their contributions.
The PSHC regards as its Centennial Scientists Dr. Fe del Mundo, who dedicated
her life to the cause of pediatrics in the country and Discoro L. Umali, who improved a
variety of food grains, legumes, fruits, and ornamental plants.
It hailed as national scientists figures like Juan S. Salcedo, whose numerous
research studies in biochemistry, nutrition, and physiology further improved the health of
the Filipino people; Carmen C. Velasquez, whose pioneering research on trematodes
described 32 new species and one genus from Philippine foods, birds and mammals;
Paulo C. Campos, who did outstanding research on nuclear medicine, insulin action,
red blood cells, and goiter; and many more.
V. INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (ITDI)
Invented Products
1. Etta’s Compact Skin Whitening Powder
2. Etta’s Mixing Solution Skin Whitening Powder
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3. Vitasugar Nutrition Sweeteners
4. Canton Royale from Kalabasa
5. Pancit Kalabasa
6. Ready to eat Laing from Taro Leaves in coconut cream
VI. PHILIPPINE COUNCIL OF HEALTH AND RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT (PCHRD)
Hepatitis B Diagnostic Kit
Hepatitis B Diagnostic Kit is an effective and affordable locally made kit
distributed by Medtes headed by the Managing Director Dr. Wency Reyes.
The invention of the kit was in cooperation with the University of the Philippines-
Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Liver Study Group, Philippine National Red Cross
(PNRC), JICA, Philippine Council of Health and Research Development (PCHRD) and
World Health Organization (WHO). According to Dr. Michael Marquez, Medical Officer 1
of the Red Cross, the kit is better than the imported one because there is an additional
15% PPHA cella and there is 0.8 % concentration after reconstitution. It is also affordable
and available in different sizes. The kit is exclusively distributed by Medtes.
VII. SALINLAHI / PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HERITAGE CENTER (PSHC)
The Philippine Science Heritage Center (PSHC) or Salinlahi (meaning, heirloom of a
generation) was conceptualized and established to serve as a resource center of
significant contributions of Filipinos in the world of science. It fosters the commitment of
the science community to bring science and technology closer to the public and
eventually, to promote a strong science and technology culture in the country. It was
inaugurated on December 14, 1998 as the contribution of the National Academy of
Science and Technology (NAST) to the Philippine Centennial Celebration.
Realizing the potential of Salinlahi as an important instrument to promote
scientific culture in the land, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law
Republic Act No. 9107, also known as the Philippines Science Heritage Center Act, on
April 14, 2001. The law was published in the Malaya and the Manila Times on April 25,
2001. The Act affirms the government’s commitment and policy to continually support
and encourage the development of the country’s science and technology program
and to promote the Philippines’ scientific contributions to the world.
R.A. No. 9107 identifies the NAST as the government agency that would manage,
operate, and maintain the Center. It also gives the PSHC the following legal powers
and functions.
VIII. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION INSTITUTE (STII)
Executive Order No. 128, signed by then President Corazon C. Aquino on
January 30, 1987, created the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII), STII
serves as the information marketing arm of DOST, and the national depository of
science and technology data. It operates through its four divisions, namely:
Communication Technology Division (ITD), Information Resources and Analysis Division
(IRAD), and Finance and Administrative Division (FAD).
In addition, STTI is designated as the administrator and the secretariat of the
Science and Technology Information Network of the Philippines (SCINET-PHIL), a
consortium of information and library centers of the Department of Science and
Technology.
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IX. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The Department of Health (DOH) is the principal health agency in the Philippines.
It is responsible for ensuring access to basic public health services to all Filipinos through
the provision of quality health care and regulation of providers of health goods and
services.
X. TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS CENTER (TESDA)
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was
established through the enactment of Republic Act No. 7796, otherwise known as the
“Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994”, which was signed into law
by President Fidel V. Ramos on August 25, 1994.
This act aims to encourage the full participation of and mobilization of the
industry, labor, local government units, and technical-vocational institutions in the skills
development of the country’s human resources.
Overall, TESDA formulates manpower and skills plans, sets appropriate skills
standards and tests, coordinates and monitors manpower policies and programs and
provides policy directions and guidelines for resources allocation among concerned
institutions in both the private and public sector.
XI.THE INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (IRRI)
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an autonomous, nonprofit
agricultural research and training organization with offices in more than 10 nations. The
Institute’s main goal is to find sustainable ways to improve the wellbeing of present and
future generations of poor rice farmers and consumers while at the same time
protecting the environment.
Its objective is to generate and disseminate new related knowledge and
technology of short and long term environmental, social, and economic benefits and
to help enhance the national rice research system.
XII. MAKILING BOTANICAL GARDEN (MGB)
The Makiling Botanical Gardens (MBG) is a unit of the Makiling Center for
Mountain Ecosystems (formerly Institute of Forest Conservation), and College of Forestry
and Natural Resources. It was established in 1963 by virtue of Republic Act No. 3523. The
MBG is being developed to support professional instructional and research related to
forestry and plant sciences and to serve the needs of tourism as well as the educational
and recreational needs of the general public.
Improvement and development of the botanical gardens started as early as
September 1965. The MBG occupies 300 hectares of forest land which are distributed
into three main areas; the Arboretum, Nursery and recreational areas.
IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Military power
- The outcome of World War II depended primarily on the superior
scientific and technological capabilities of USA and its allies.
- Today those technical capabilities and resources remain vital to the
security of many nations and governments.
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2. Economic strength
- Technology played a major role in increasing the country’s
productivity ( amount of output generated per unit of input, where
output refers to good and services and input refers to labor or labor
and capital combined).
- Technological change is credited as responsible for almost half of the
increase in productivity achieved in the USA since World War II, a
contribution for greater than those of capital, education, resource
allocation, or economics of scale
3. Medical well being
- Science and Technology have also played an important role in
increasing the scope and efficacy of medical care in this century,
- From advances in diagnosis and surgery to vaccines, therapeutic
drugs, prosthetic devices and rehabilitative apparatus.
- The substantial individual and public health benefits afforded by
technical advances achieved in recent years are widely recognized
and highly valued in contemporary industrial societies.
IMPACTS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Threat to human survival
- It is posed be development and used of their potent products such as
nuclear weapon, products designed for chemical or biological
warfare, and products that threaten sustainability of the ecosystem.
2. Ethical dilemmas
- Refers to the exploitation of advanced scientific knowledge and
technological devices and systems sometime given rise to situation in
which these advances seem to have turned upon their beneficiaries
creating ethical and legal dilemmas.
- The ethical conflicts posed by science and technology -based
dilemmas requires careful analysis.
3. Disparities in human being
- S & T have made possible the possession of a cornucopia of some
sophisticated material goods by millions of people of the industrialized
countries.
- There is a big gap on the level of material affluence between the less
developed and develop nations.
- The existence of such disparities and the belief that scientific and
technological resources will be required to reduce them provide
another reason that these forces have on growing social importance.
4. Social conflict
- In the last two decades, conflict in the US has swirled around issues
such as the location of recombinant-DNA laboratories in or near
residential communities, landing rights for Concorde Supersonic
Transport, the love canal incident, the Karen Ann Quinlan and others.
- Such struggles have taxed society’s capacity for conflict.
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