Module 2 (STS and The Human Condition)

Republic of the Philippines
Surigao del Sur State University

Pag-antayan, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur 8300
Telefax No. 086-214-4221
www.sdssu.edu.ph
MODULE TWO
STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION
_________________________
August 2020
Weeks 7-11
COURSE NAME : Science, Technology, and Society
I. Course Overview:
This course pack is specifically produced for the course GE- STS (Science, Technology, and Society)
intended for you, a student of SDSSU ______ campus enrolled in the Bachelor of ______________
program. This is the first module for the prelim period. Brief introduction to Science, Technology and
Society are some of the essentials included in this course pack. Considering the description of the
course, this course pack tries to incorporate discussions on the importance of studying Science,
Technology, and Society.
II. General Instruction

This module begins with an Introduction that encapsulates the topics or lessons that students of
this course have to learn, understand and value. This Module is composed of five parts of which the first
part pertains to the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs). The next part is the course direction where
students are directed to focus their respective course works. The nitty-gritties of the course are also
placed in the lecture and discussion which is the third part of the module. Each student taking this
course is also required to answer all the assessment tasks (refer to tasks and completion time matrix
below) to measure whether the student have learned from the lessons. For the students to grasp all the
essentials of the topics covered in a particular lesson, links, URLs, videos (in USB stick) and other
supplementary reading materials are provided in this module.
Deadline Requirements
Midterm Conduct environmental Scanning in the Community on either of the

following Issues and concerns:
(After Midterm
Exam)  public health and safety
 cultural
 societal or environmental considerations
I. Academic Integrity
Academic honesty is required of all students. Plagiarism--to take and pass off as one’s
own work, the work or ideas of another--is a form of academic dishonesty. Penalties may be
assigned for any form of academic dishonesty” (See Student Handbook/College Manual).
Sanctions for breaches in academic integrity may include receiving a grade of a “Failed” on a
test or assignment. In addition, the Director of Student Affairs may impose further
administrative sanctions.
II. Introduction
The topics included in this lesson discuss the science, technology, and society’s state
nowadays giving emphasis on human condition.
Lesson 6: Human Flourishing
Intended Learning Outcomes
During the students' learning engagements, they will be able to:
1. Identify different conceptions of human flourishing;

2. Discover Human Flourishing about the progress of science and technology;
3. Conceptualize own views on human flourishing; and
4. Analyze the human condition to deeply reflect and express philosophical ramifications
that are meaningful to the students as part of society.
HUMAN BEING
There are many ways of describing a

human being.
Biologists describe humans as

having the attributes of living
organisms including plants and
animals.
The human being is a complex
matter capable of performing
life-sustaining processes.
Human, being the highest form
of these living organisms, is
said to have characteristics
which cannot be substantiated through mere science.
Smith (2012) – shared that, we can’t turn to science for an answer because, in the first
place, science identified humans with varied opinions and limited evidence. He further
stressed that “Biologists aren’t equipped to tell us whether an organism, is a human
organism because “human” is a folk- category rather a scientific one.”
Blakemore and Greenfield (1987; as cited in Bernaldez, 2001), recognized that the
possession of intellectual distinguishes a human being from another creature. This intellect
supports self-consciousness and awareness sufficient for the achievement of human
function, the discovery of truth, and the development of mankind.
Heidegger used the term “ dasein” which means “ being there” focuses on the “modes
of existence” or the who” of Dasein”. The modes of existence” is fundamentally
established by two things:
1. Dasein exists in a world and
2. Dasein has a self that it defines as it exists in such a world.
UNDERSTANDING HUMAN FLOURISHING
It would be beneficial if different views will be taken into accounts to understand it well. The
following are the selected philosophers’ point of views:
A. On Aristotle’s Viewpoint
Aristotle’s teachings suggest that each man’s life has a purpose and that the function of
one’s life is to attain that purpose. Aristotle believed that human beings have a natural
desire and capacity to know and understand the truth, to pursue moral excellence, and
to instantiate their ideas in the world through action.
Furthermore, these actions are geared towards one’s proper and desired end-
flourishing, happiness, or eudemonia.
What is Eudaimonia?
Etymologically speaking, eudaimonia is

consists of Greek words “ue” which means
“good” and ‘daemon” which means “spirit”.
This defines it as “the good indwelling spirit;
a good genius”
Eudaimonia (also known as Eudaemonism) is

a Greek word, which refers to a state of
having a good indwelling spirit or being in a
contented state of being healthy, happy, and
prosperous. In moral philosophy, eudaimonia
is used to refer to the right actions as those
that result in the well-being of an individual. In this case, well-being becomes an essential
value. In a general sense, eudaimonia can be perceived as any theory that places the
personal happiness of an individual and his or her complete life at the core of ethical
concern.
B. On Epicurus Viewpoint
Epicurus was a Greek philosopher who contradicted the
metaphysical philosophers.
He believed that balance and temperance were what
created space for happiness.
His view is not more of how happiness can be defined
but more on a theory about the real source to
experience it.
Furthermore, it agrees with the ethical doctrine which
claims pleasure is the norm of morality- hedonism but
reiterates the intelligent choice and practical wisdom to
measure against pain to attain well- being.
C. On Nietzsche’s Viewpoint
Friedrich Nietzsche’s (1844-1990) was a German philosopher

and cultural critic who published intensively in the 1870s and
1880s.
He is known for his criticisms on psychological analyses that
resulted in opposing ideas on the people’s received ideas.
Viewed happiness in a different way.
For many philosophers, happiness could be a “constant state
of well-being”, but for him, happiness is an “ideal state of
laziness”.
Laziness for him is described as to not have any worries or
distress in life.
Science, Technology, and Human Flourishing

Science and technology are at the forefront of an ever-changing society, and advances
and continuous technological growth are the results of the intensified application of
scientific knowledge to deliver progress in society.
The rise of information technologies has made global communications possible.
The introduction of gene therapy, stem cells, and cloning has improved the medical and
health sectors, and Nanotechnology and robotics made industries flourished.
Scientific applications continuously provide convenience to human lives. All these and
more complete the story of changes, innovations, and progress which impacts the
ethical and moral preference of humans in modern society.
Examples are debates on whether a human embryo is being sacrificed or not in the
process of cloning; will the creation of artificial intelligence smarter- than- human
intelligence conserves the functionality of human nature does not; does mining support
the nation’s economic development and labor employment or degradation of the
environment and human rights infringement?
Progress is inevitable so as the desire of humans to flourish. As scientific and
technological developments increasingly play significantly to human lives, the
eudemonistic orientation of happiness or end.
References
Ariola, M. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Unlimited Books Library Services & Publishing Inc. Room 215
ICP Building, Cabildo St., Intramuros Manila. pp 61-63.
Bautista, D et al(2018) Science, Technology and Society MaxCor Publishing House Inc.132 Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman
Quezon Cty pp. 75-79.
Serafica, J. et.al, (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Rex Book Store, Inc. (RBSI), 856 Nicanor Reyes Sr. St.,
Sampaloc Manila. pp 50-61.
Hickel, J. (2015). “Forget ‘Developing’ Rich Countries, It’s Time to ‘De-develop’ Rich Countries.” Accessed July 22,
2020. https://www.theguardian.com/global- development-professionals-network/2015/sep/23/developing-poor-
countries-de-develop-rich-countries-sdgs

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What are the different conceptions of human flourishing discussed in the document?

What are Epicurus' and Nietzsche's views on happiness/human flourishing according to the document?

Republic of the Philippines

Surigao del Sur State University

STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION

II. General Instruction

Midterm Conduct environmental Scanning in the Community on either of the

Lesson 6: Human Flourishing

Intended Learning Outcomes

During the students' learning engagements, they will be able to:

1. Identify different conceptions of human flourishing;

There are many ways of describing a

Biologists describe humans as

UNDERSTANDING HUMAN FLOURISHING

Etymologically speaking, eudaimonia is

Eudaimonia (also known as Eudaemonism) is

Friedrich Nietzsche’s (1844-1990) was a German philosopher

Science, Technology, and Human Flourishing

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