Introduction to Science, Technology, and
Society
Desired Learning Outcomes:
1. Define science, technology, and society
2. Articulate the interconnectedness and importance of the interactions between
science, technology and society
Introduction
This lesson is concerned with defining science, technology, and society and
having an overview between the interconnectedness between these three concepts. In
this lesson, you should be able to realize the problems and difficulties in describing
science and technology. You should also be able to have a glimpse of their influence to
society, and society's influence to science and technology.
Activity 1. STS Concept Map
In groups of five or six, discuss with your group how you define or characterize
science, technology, and society. Create a concept map showing the interrelatedness
between these concepts. Do all of you have the same characterization of these three
terms? Do you all agree with their relationship with one another? If there are conflicts
between their characteristics or definitions, where do you think these conflicts come
from?
Defining the terms science, technology, and society is a difficult endeavor, not
only by those who are familiar with its study, but even experts in the field. Nevertheless,
for this lesson, we would attempt to characterize science, technology, and society and
have a brief description of their interrelationship with one another.
Science (from the Latin scientia meaning knowledge) is usually thought of as an
systematic and organized body of knowledge gathered through empirical observations of
nature. It is usually recognized as knowledge gathered through the scientific method.
Science is not usually associated with the supernatural, paranormal, or transcendental.
This makes science different from other bodies of knowledge such as intuition, common
sense, or revealed knowledge.
According to Lederman, the nature of science agreed upon by experts in the field
include the following:
1. Scientific knowledge is empirical in nature; that is, to be able to have scientific
claims, one uses scientific one's senses. However, the use of reason i
generating scientific knowledge is also imperative. Indeed, it is believed that
observations are support to claims, rather than proofs to claims. This means that
science is not just an objective endeavor, and subjectivity (personal bias, culture,
social conditions, etc.) plays a role in science.
2. Not all knowledge in science can be gathered through direct observation.
Inference plays a role in modeling and understanding nature. A good example of
which is the structure of atoms, which is inferred rather than directly observed.
Thus, scientific knowledge may not be absolute.
3. Scientific theories provide framework for scientific inquiry. The importance of
scientific theories cannot be stressed enough: through theories, we can generate
new questions and endeavor to solve new problems, as well as guide our
method of investigation. They are well-substantiated, evidential, and have
explanatory power. However, they are not infallible to change. They may
change as the society changes, as new evidence arises, or new technologies are
developed.
4. Scientific laws have descriptive and predictive power while scientific theories
have explanatory power; thus, one is not superior than the other. Both theories
and laws may change, depending on evidence.
5. Science is a creative endeavor. Creativity, inventiveness, and resourcefulness is
important in all aspects of science, from determining the problem needed o be
solved to interpreting and analysis of data. Thus, there is no strict, rigid way of
doing science.
6. Society and culture influences science. Factors such as religion, gender, politics,
economics, and race directs science to its path. However, there are ways to limit
these factors to maintain a certain objectivity to the field. These include group
consensus and peer review.
Technology (from the Greek techne meaning "art, skill, or cunning of hand") is
usually regarded as applied science. However, this characterization of technology
usually fails when we think of technological advances before scientific knowledge.
Examples range from the simple wheel to majestic structures such as the Great Wall of
China, which existed and used before even knowledge in science has been developed.
Thus, technology is sometimes referred to as a body of skills, knowledge, and products
by which we can manipulate our environment to accomplish a goal. It not only obtains
knowledge from science, it also contributes to it. However, it must be remembered that
technology might have effects that is different from the intended, even with control.
Society is "a group of people who share a culture, have economically
interdependent members, and that (according to conventional definitions) reside in a
specific geographical area". According to Durkheim, a French sociologist, "society is
dependent on people sharing “essential ideas,” such as time, space, cause, and
number. This sharing of concepts, even when their meanings are debated, gives
individuals the categories that ground their communication."
With all of these being said, we can see that matters of science and technology
are matters of society. It should always be remembered that science and technology are
human endeavors; thus, society holds a crucial role in its development. It is society
which dictates what should be studied and what to do with their discoveries.
In the same way, society benefits from advancements in science and technology.
Science and technology advance economies, transforms various aspects of society such
as transportation, communication, and health, and help us towards truth. However, it
may also create new problems, confuse and complicate, and lead towards the
destruction of society. Thus, it is extremely important to study Science, Technology, and
Society to help us understand the effects of human decisions in scientific and
technological endeavors and the effects of science and technology to human life.
Activity 2: Slogan-Making
In twos or threes, create a slogan that summarizes or encompasses science,
technology, and society based on what you have understood regarding this lesson.
Make sure that your slogan is concise but has impact and original.
Activity 2: The Medawar Lecture 1998
Read Wolpert's The Medawar Lecture 1998: Is Science Dangerous? Create a
one-page summary and reflection of the important points of this lecture. Does he
believe that science and technology is dangerous? What was Wolpert's major points
that support his claims? What role does the public or specific sectors of the public
play in the purported dangers (or lack thereof) of science and technology? Which
issue did you disagree upon? Why?
