Science,

Technology and
Society Learning
Module

by
JAZZLE S. ROCO
INSTRUCTOR I
COURSE TITLE: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
COURSE CODE: SOCSCI 113
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course deals with interactions between science and technology and social, cultural,
political, and economic contexts that shape and are shaped by them. (CMO No. 20, series of 2013)

This interdisciplinary course engages students to confront the realities brought about by the
science and technology in society. Such realities pervade the personal, the public, and the global
aspects of our living and are integral to human development. Scientific knowledge and
technological development happen in the context of society with all its socio-political, cultural,
economic, and philosophical underpinnings at play. This course seeks to instill reflective
knowledge in the students that they are able to live the good life and display ethical decisions
making in the face of scientific and technological advancement.
This course includes mandatory topics on climate change and environmental awareness.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

Knowledge
1. Articulate the impacts of science and technology on society, specifically Philippine society
2. Explained how science and technology affect society and the environment and its role in nation-
building
3. Analyze the human condition in order to deeply reflect and express philosophical ramifications
that are meaningful to the student as a part of society.
4. Define and demonstrate the impact of social media on the students’ life and Philippine society
in general.

Values
1. Imbibe the importance of science and technology in the preservation of the environment and the
development of the Filipino nation.
2. Critique human flourishing vis-a-vis the progress of science and technology such that the student
may be able to define for himself/herself the meaning of good life.
3. Foster the value of healthy lifestyle toward the holistic and sustainable development of society
and the environment.

Skills
1. Creatively present the importance and contributions of science and technology to society
2. Examine shared concerns that make up the good life in order to come up with innovative and
creative solutions to contemporary issues guided by ethical standards
3. Illustrate how the social media and information age impact their lives and their understanding of
climate change.
MODULE 1 INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this chapter the students must:

1. be familiarized with the institution’s VMGO.
2. identified the importance of studying science, technology and society;
3. explained how science and technology fused together; and
4. developed a deeper interest in the field of science, technology, and society.

TOPICS
1. The Challenge of Science
2. The Effects of Science and Technology to the Society
3. Face to Face with Science
4. Science and Technology Fused Together
5. Where Science and Technology is taking the Society

INTRODUCTION

In our current world, there are different challenges that we are facing. Some are good and otherwise.
However, life must go on in every aspect including everything around us.
From the moment we liberated knowledge, science has been and until now a great partner of
mankind in gaining knowledge from facts and observations. As mentioned earlier, life must go on, so do
science.
This module will discuss the challenges to science but will be limited within societal concern and
its function. This will also tackle the effects when science had face to face with the society. Lastly, this
module will introduce us to fused science and technology and where is it taking the society.

PRE-ACTIVITY

Activity Title: The Differences and Similarities Between You And Science

Reflect on the following quotes then answer the questions after.

“When the going gets tough, put one foot in front of the other and just keep going. Don’t give up.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”
― Robert F. Kennedy

“You learn something valuable from all of the significant events and people, but you never touch your true
potential until you challenge yourself to go beyond imposed limitations.”
― Roy T. Bennett

Guide Questions:
1. Which of the following quotes mostly reflect your life and your personality? Why?
2. Do you think science is accompanied by challenges? How?
3. How will you compare your life to science? Explain briefly.
4. How will you define our society today if the greatest minds in the early centuries gave up? Give concrete
examples.

LECTURE NOTES

The Challenge of Science

Do you know that it took thousands of years to prove that the center of the solar system is the Sun?
It was a very serious debate and there were thousands of people involved, including religious people,
mathematicians, and scientists. Charles Darwin turned his back on some of the doctrines of his church
because of his scientific observations to formulate his laws and theories which served as one of the solid
foundations of biology today. Galileo Galilei lost his vision because he studied celestial bodies that also laid
the fundamentals of astronomy. A village judged Archimedes as insane because of running without any
clothes after realizing the connection of water displacement method and density. These are only few
endeavors among the millions of sacrifices, time, fortune and even life which were given just for the love
of knowledge.
As the earth grows older, people ask for more and more. Some say that we do not have contentment
which I think a merely universal fact. So it means that we always need to upgrade, upgrade and upgrade.
Just imagine the discussion during your history and science classes that mankind started using tools made
with stones but now we are in the digital world. Your friends anywhere in the globe are just one click away.
This is only one of the amazing benefits science had given us. In about the same degree, and therefore, if
people do not have contentment, what do you think is the challenge for science?

The Effects of Science and Technology to the Society

Are you familiar with the budget allocations of the government? Do you know that there is a very
large amount of money allocated for Research and Development? And in our country, R&D is spearheaded
by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). These researches include the testing, development
of almost everything that we use or consume like clothes, motorcycle, foods, and etc. Are you familiar with
the Regional Food Innovation Centers in which one of it is located in our school? Yes you are correct, that
is one of the projects of DOST. It cost millions from infrastructure, equipment and operations knowing that
most of its functions are for food processing. Why do you think the government is spending too much for
food? It is about safety? Is it about the taste? Is it about the health of the consumers? Is it about helping
entrepreneurs? Is it about exportation? Is it about economic growth? If your answer is all yes, you are
correct! Imagine a delicious but at the same time healthy food brings income people and it is possible for
the product to be exported in other countries which basically equates to economic growth. With the given
circumstances we can assume that science and technology basically affects society in a positive way;
development. But cases may not always become positive. We must not forget that science and technology
has negatives effect too! Do you have a phone? Does it have internet connection? If yes, how many hours
do you spend browsing social media apps within a day? Now, if you are connected to the internet, are you
“personally” connected to the people around you? Do you have a good relationship with the people in your
home? If yes, you are not a victim of this negative effect of technology. But if your answer is no, it is not
too late to change your habits are connect to them even without technology.

Face to Face with Science

Some may think that science is very easy to define and might say that it is just as it is. But
philosophers are until now arguing about the definition of science because it has a wide coverage of human
dealings. Science can be taken as the investigation of the physical world in which experiments are rendered
in order to explain matters of concern. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines science as a knowledge
involving general truths and general laws that are taken from a systematic study which is concerned with
evidences and theories. To have face to face with science, it would be best to explore its wide coverage by
identifying its common characteristics which are the following:

1. Science Focuses on the Natural World

It is through science that we understand the natural world. Its main concern is the physical world
because it studies animals, plants, rocks, man, and all other kinds of matter. Science is not concerned with
supernatural world which cannot be tested and is not governed by the laws of the natural world.
Science aims to explain and provide more understanding of the natural world. This is a continuous
study of the physical world to look for evidences that could prove something. The goal is to see how
something works and see the components that make up the area being studied. Findings can change after
time depending on the new evidences that may arise but all scientific idea is said to be reliable because
before it could get scientific acceptance, first is has to be supported with a number of evidences.

2. Science Goes through experiments

Science subjects any matter of study to experimentation. Something has to be tested and should
arrive at a number of consistent observations so it could be taken as true. Anything that cannot be subjected
to experimentation and could not give any observable data cannot be regarded as science.

3. Science Relies on Evidences

As science requires experimentations and observations, it is only right that it would look for
evidences that will support the truthfulness of something. For something to be really regarded as science, it
should be tested not only by one group as that can be taken of a bias. Evidences that are relevant to the
matter being studied are what scientists are looking for to confirm something to be science.

4. Passes through the Scientific Community

Science requires a number of consistent evidences for not to be biased, it has to go through different
groups or people who would qualify the idea. In finding different evidences, a scientist would likely check
on different expertise.
Although, it was said that science is continuous in that is is always trying to understand and explain
the natural world, the way that it is being understood may change over time as the society also changes.
Scientific experimentations and processes may vary as changes with the concerns in the society takes place,
as communication and technology advances, and as further discoveries and understandings are achieved by
science.

Face to Face with Technology

As scientist have been arguing as to the definition of science, the same is true with the definition of
technology. The sord seems to have come naturally that one may think that its definition is given already.
Most people would relate technology with machines and tools tha could make any work faster and easier.
And that is why technology is commonly defined as a means to an end and a human activity.
In his book The Nature of Technology: What it is and how it evoles, W. Brian Arthur ( 2009)defined
technology in three ways. First, he said that technology is a “means to fulfill a human purpose” that a method
or any material may be utilized to serve human purpose. Second, he said that technology is an “assemblage
of practices and components.” And third, he said that technology is a “collection of devices and engineering
practices available to a culture.” With this definition, Martin Heidegger has rightly summarized it as the
instrumental and anthropological definition of technology. Heidegger’s take on technology will be further
discuss in Module 6.

Science and Technology Fused Together

 Science and technology is almost impossible to be separated from one another. It is actually hard to
distinguish “where science leaves off and technology begins” (Rhodes, 1999). Science aims to explain the
natural physical world and as it does, it gives way for technology to address whatever science has
discovered.
Machines, computers, and tools are technologies that are brought about by science. But that is not all.
Smaller and simpler things like medicines, plastic bottles, or any other everyday thing that we use are also
technologies that started out from science. Tools and techniques used to cure diseases in the hospitals are
also technologies that started from the discovery of science. It is said that technology is actually science
applied. Science and technology works hand in hand. The technologies that started off from science and are
now available to man also lead to new understanding of the natural world that would then again lead to
further innovations.

Where Science and Technology is Taking the Society

For the past centuries, science and technology has marked a great progress in the wsociety. Man has
benefited much from the advances made with land, water, air, and animals. Machines and tools have made
living so much easier. Communication and transportation, infrastructure, and agriculture have become more
convenient.
But science and technology in itself would not exist without the society. It is the society that allows
for the discoveries and inventions to take place. It is the society that decides how science and technology is
to be utilized. And yet, society needs science and technology in order to continue living on. International
progress now relies so much on science and technology in the area of industry, health care, national security,
and environmental protection.
In as much as science and technology is taking the society towards progress and development, the
risks and dangers that come with it should not be taken lightly and accepted blindly. Everyone should have
keen eyes and observe closely where science and technology is taking the society. It is the goal of this
module that students of STS should be the guardians of the society, not only to make them aware of how
science and technology is shaping the society but how they can partake in keeping the balance between the
benefits and dangers of science and technology.

POST EVALUATION

Answer the following questions:

1. What do you think are the challenges in science and technology in our current situation?
2. Do you think science and technology will find a way to solve our problem today? Enumerate some proof
that science may or may not solve it. Please include your sources.

Bibliography:

Goodreads (n.d.). challenge quotes. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/challenge

Bautista, et.al. Science, Technology and Society. 132 Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Maxcor
Publishing House, 2018
 MODULE 2 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY: WORLD HISTORY

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this chapter the students must:

1. Explain the historical timeline of science and technology;
2. analyze the difference between the different periods involved in the development of Science and
Technology; and
3. systhesize and create their own definition of Science and Technology based on the discussion on this unit.

TOPICS
1. Science and Technology in Different Periods
Ancient Period
Medieval Period
Renaissance Period
Industrial Revolution
19th Century
20th Century

INTRODUCTION
Science and technology is evident since the beginning of time. New Knowledge made it possible to
create new things that would help people improve their everyday living. Development in the field of science
has helped humans to have a better life while advancement in technology made the lives of the people much
easier by developing new machines that helped their way of living effortless.
In combination, science and technology transforms the lives of humans. It helps provide growth in
the field of medicine, transportation, engineering and even entertainment that until today people are
benefiting from
The development of science and technology has gone so far, tracing how it all began would give us
a better idea on how it has developed since then and what are the significant changes that has happened
throughout time. By looking back at the history of science and technology, we will be able to determine its
progression.

PRE-ACTIVITY

Answer the following questions:

1. Do you think religion will play a big role in the progression of science and technology? Explain your
answer.
2. What do you think are the negative effects of science and technological advancement?

LECTURE NOTES

Science and Technology in Different Periods

Ancient Periods (ca. 3,500 B.C.-500 A.D.)

Accumulation of knowledge and passing it from generation to generation has begun when the
modern humans evolved from their hominid ancestors. They used stones as tools, and then learned how to
shape stones to make more efficient tools. As the tools improved, people were able to use them in different
things which basically improves their way of living. They also learned to capture natural resources such as
fires from wild fires and later make it by themselves.
Imagine that these little improvements from the ancient period was the baseline of our technology
today. Without these little innovations, we are not what we are now. It means that, little efforts from the
period of antiquity was very essential in the development of science and technology. Looking back at some
stories, the main reason for these development is survival.
We can define different nations during this period as newbies in terms of science and technology.
It that conclusion therefore, each nation began with scratch and they are responsible for what they achieved
up to this moment. Theoretically speaking, discovery during this time may vary in every country like
Europe, The Americas, Asia, Ocenia, Africa and Middle East.

Medieval Period (ca. 500-1500)

Medieval Period was also known as “Dark Age.” It is because there are few written records
remained from the said era. Compared to the ancient age, there are tons of artifacts that were and are to be
discovered so we can assume that there was a clearer view of the ancient age compared to the Medieval
Period. However, medieval period was also considered as one of the creative periods in the history of
mankind.
In the years immediately after the fall of Rome, there was a period of readjustment, where medieval
society was more concered with keeping peace and empire building that nurturing centers of learning.
Despitethis, Charlemagne (742-814), a medieval emperor who ruled Western Europe in 800-814, tried to
establish a scholastic tradition. The later middle ages (around 1250-1500 A.D.) saw advancements in the
philosophy of science and the refinement of the scientific method. Far from being a backwards-medieval
society, overshadowed by Islam and Byzantium, scholasticism acted as a nucleus for the Renaissance and
the Enlightenment.
This was also the time of the discovery of great inventions like the windmill, spectacles, mechanical
clocks and crop rotation. One of the greatest inventions during the Middle Ages was the printing press of
Johannes Gutenberg which made the distribution of information faster than before.

Renaissance Period
The term Renaissance refers to period of rebirth and age of preparation for the 17th century scientific
development and achievements. It connects the period of Middle Ages to modern history which historians
think as primarily an intellectual and cultural movement rather than a historical period.
The invention of the printing press greatly contributes to fast spread of information throughout the
globe. Tracing the origin of the printing press, it basically began in Europe which was followed by the
Chinese and Muslims. According to Wilde in his interview in livescience.com, the demand for perfect
reproductions of texts and the renewed focus on studying them helped trigger one of the biggest discoveries
in the whole human history: printing with movable type. It allowed Bibles, secular books, printed music and
more to be made in larger volume and reach and involved more people in distribution and acquiring of
knowledge. It was China that created the paper and Flemish for printers’s ink. It was Gutenberg who made
the final steps on the development of printing press and communication revolution began.

Industrial Revolution
People rely on their hands in doing labor works even before the machines have emerged. Industrial
revolution is about shifting from human efforts to the use of machines. It was originally from Great Britain
and spread across Europe, America and even Asia from 1760 to 1840. This perios also denote scientific and
technological advancement which spanned the period from 18th century to early 19th century.
One of the major setback, despite the technological advancement, was skilled workers were set
aside and replaced by machines. Companies also hired women and children because of lower cost. We can
say that skilled labor is much expensive than an inexperienced one but with the aid of machineries can equal
the work of skilled workers.
POST EVALUATION
Direction:

1. Watch Impacts of Science and Technology on this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RFq5iFLMA0
2. Make and insight paper about the video with the following parts:
A. Cover Page
B. Introduction (1 page)
-Introduction must set up your insgihts.
C. Body (1-2 pages)
-This part is a broader sense of your insights.
C. Conclusion/ Reaction/ Reflection (1 page)
- This part must summarize your reflections of your insights.
 MODULE 3 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY: PHILIPPINE HISTORY

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this chapter the students must:

1. Explain the historical timeline of science and technology in the Philippines;
2. Analyze the development of science and technology in the Philippines; and
3. Synthesize and created their own understanding on the different periods of the history of science
and technology in the Philippines

TOPICS
1. Pre-Spanish Period
2. Spanish Colonial Period
3. American Period and Post-Commonwealth Era
4. Marcos Era
5. Fifth Republic

INTRODUCTION

Philippines, as we know, belongs to poorest countries in the world in terms of its economic status.
According to Grassroots Economic Organizing (GEO, 2014), the seven key elements of an economy
abundance are (1) natural resource and land commons, (2)cooperative business, (3)energy for everyone,
(4)finance as servant, not master, (5)livable cities, (6)liberated learning, and (7)truly caring for health.
Proudly, the Philippines already have these elements and the only thing that we need to do is manage it
properly for the benefit of all Filipinos.
It is said that everything is science. Now, do you think that those elements existed because we have
been enjoying the products of science until this time? If yes, you are correct! There is an existing government
agency that helps improve human services and needs with the aid of science and technology. This
department is called Department of Science and Technology or commonly known as DOST. It means that,
almost everything that was made to ensure our comfort and security undergone research, from food packs
and its contents to transportation, infrastructure and engineering and many more.

PRE-ACTIVITY

Direction: Look for five Filipino inventors and accomplish the table below. Put your personal comment on
how important the invention is. Please write your answer in brief but meaningful way.

Name of Filipino Invention Description of the Personal Comment

Inventor (please put the name and Invention about the Invention
picture of the invention)
LECTURE NOTES

Pre-Spanish Period
The Philippines has few written information with regards to its society, culture, and technology
before the Spaniards arrived. We relied on archeological findings to the trace the beginning of how the
Filipinos lived with the use of science and technology. These archeological findings showed that modern
man from Asian mainland first came over the land on across narrow channels to live in Batangas and
Palawan about 4800 BC. They settled in different areas across the country and made simple tools and
weapons of stone flakes and later develop new skills like sewing and polishing stones.
During 3000 B.C., they learned to produce adzes ornament of seashells and pottery that prosper for
2000 years until completion arrived with the Chinese porcelains. Eventually they learned how to use metal
as their tools and Iron Age lasted until the 3 rd century B.C. until 11th century A.D. During this time, Filipinos
were involved in ore mining such as copper, gold, bronze, and iron. Early Filipinos also engaged themselves
into weaving, shipbuilding, mining and farming that led them in creating one of the finest products of
engineering which is the Banaue Rice Terraces. Early Spanish chronicles also noted that early Filipinos built
a refined plank-built warship called caracoa that well suited for inter-island trade.
Locales from Butuan were trading with Champa(Vietnam today) and those from Ma-I (Mindoro)
with China as seen on the Chinese records that contain several rrefences to the Philippines. These records
indicate that trading relationship have existed and established between the Philippines, China and Vietnam.
Before the Spaniards came, Filipinos were already aware of activities and practices related to science and
technology. They have learned the curative values of plants and able to extract the medicine out of it. They
had an alphabet, counting methods, weights, and measurement system, and calendar that they based on the
period of the moon.

Spanish Colonial Period

When the Spaniards colonized the Philippines, it has contributed to the growth of science and
technology in the country. They have introduced formal education and founded scientific institution. Parish
schools were established where they taught religion , reading, writing, arithmethic, and music. Natives were
taught more advance methods in agriculture. Later on, they have established colleges and universities around
the country including the oldest university in Asia, the University of Santo Tomas.
Medicine was prioritized during the Spanish colonization, especially in the later years. The
Spaniards made contributions in the field of engineering by constructing government establishments,
churches, roads, bridges, and forts. Biology was highlighted during this period. Botanists chemists, and
medical scholars all gave contrivution to the field of science.
The Galleion Trade made a big impact in the economic growth of the Philippines. Spaniards gave
priority to the galleon trade due to its potential to make huge profits. That is why agriculture and industrial
development were not given focus and were neglected during this time. When Suez Canal was built, visiting
each other countires for Europeans and Filipinos was made possible and probably influenced by the rapid
development of scientific ideals brought by the age of enlightenment.

American Period and Post Commonwealth Era

The Americans replaced Spaniards after they rules the country and the progress of science and
technology has continued under their rule. The establishment of Bureau of Government Laboratories was
made in July 1, 1901 by the Philippine Commission, which served as a purpose to study tropical diseases
and laboratory projects in the country, and was later on replaced by the Bureau of Science in 1905 that
became the primary research center of the country. While on December 8, 1933, the National Research
Council of the Philippines was established.
It was during the American period when science was inclined towards agriculture, food processing,
forestry, medicine, and pharmacy, and not much focus were given on the development of industrial
technology due to free trade policy with the United States of America that nurtured an economy geared
towards agriculture and trade.
The Bureau of Science was replaced by the Institute of Science in 1946. In 1950, there were reports
made by the US Economic Survey about the Philippines’ problem with regards to science and technology
such as lack of basic information, no support, minimal budget, and low compensation. During the regimen
of Carlos P. Garcia in 1958, the Philippine Congress passed the bill entitled “The Science Act of 1958”
which goal is to establish the National Science Development Board.

Marcos Era
It was only during Marcos presidency where science was given importance. It was clearly stated by
the former president in the Philippine Constitution, amended in 1973, that in terms of national development,
priority shall be given in the advancement of science and technology.
In his State of the Nation Address, Marcos declared that there is a need for science in public high
school and with the help of Department of Education in partnership from the National Science Development
Board it aims to provide science-teaching equipment for a period of 4 years.
In 1968, he also recognized that technology was the top reason in economic development, and gave
extra funds to support projects in applied science and science education. While in 1969, he allotted large
amount of war damage funds to private universities to encourage them to create courses that focus on science
and technology and research. In 1970, he emphasized that by upgrading the science curriculum and teaching
equipment is crucial to the science development program.
Furthermore, he declared Presidential Decree No. 49, series of 1972 as a support for promoting the
scientific research and invention. Aside from that, one of his greatest contributions is the establishment of
PAGASA which function is to give environmental protection and to utilize scientific knowledge to ensure
the safety of the nation. He also established the National Academy of Science and Technology in 1976 to
have scientists who are experts in science and technology.
In 1986, he also established campuses of Philippine Science High School in Visayas and Mindanao.
It encouraged the youth in these areas to choose a career in science and technology. It also aims to tap the
potential students on the said regions.

Fifth Republic
After the term of President Marcos, Corazon Aquino replaced him. During her term he changed the
name of NAST to Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which opened a seat in the government
cabinet. It was during the Philippine Development Plan for the years 1987-1992 where the role of science
and technology in the nature economy was highlighted. In 1990 SONA, President C. Aquino said that
science and technology development should be on the top three priorities of the government to implement
the development plan that they made.
In 1989, the budget allocation for science and technology was increased amounting to 1.054 billion
pesos. But due to Asian financial crisis between 1990 and 1991, it was cut down by 14% and in 1992, it was
increases again by 50%. She also encouraged Filipino scientists and inventors to put back the Philippines
second in Japan when it comes to the field of science and technology. It was one of her goals to make the
country industrialized by the year 2000.
In July 1992, President Fidel V. Ramos’ SONA, he reported that there were improvements with
regards to science and technology. In his third SONA in 1994, he reported that there was a significant
increase in people who specialize in science and technology. By the year 1998, it was estimated that the
Philippines had 3000 competent scientists and engineers.
It was during the 5th Republic where the government provided 3,500 scholarships for students who
are interested in taking up courses related to science and technology. Schools became modernized and
updated by having additional high-tech equipment. It was also during this time when science and technology
personnel were given priority by the government by approving the Republic Act No. 8439 in 1997 which
entitled “Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel”. Its purpose is to give incentives and rewards
to people who made an impact and are influencial in the said field.
In 1998, during President Joseph Estrada’s term, the Internet age was pushed for the advancement
of schools and industry. Then it was under the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when S&T
reached its Golden Age.
Numerous laws and projects related to science were made to push technology forward to increase
the economic level of the country. During the term of President B. Aquino III, there were recognitions to
some scientists who have great contributions in science in the country.

POST EVALUATION

Choose 3 Filipino invention and 3 Philippine government science-related policies that contribute to nation
building and development. The paper’s format is written bellow.
1. Cover Page
2. Selected Technologies and Policies
2.1. Name of Technology/Policy
2.2. Description of Technology and its development.
2.3. Major Contributions to Nation Building and Development
3. Bibliography (APA Format)
 MODULE 4 INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IN THE 17TH CENTURY

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this chapter the students must:

1. defined paradigm shift;
2. articulated ways by which society is transformed by science and technology;
3. traced the history of science and technology in different eras and civilization; and
4. enumerated scientific and technological advancement made by people and some civilizations of
the seventeenth century.

TOPICS
1. Copernican Revolution
2. Darwinian Revolution
3. Freudian Revolution
4. Information Age
5. Mesoamerican Period
6. Middle East
7. African Revolution

PRE-ACTIVITY
Direction: Answer the question using a poster.

1. How will you define a society without science and technology?

Instruction for submission:

1. Use a short bond paper for your poster.

2. Take a picture of your artwork, edit it and send it to our google classroom assignment. The picture
must project the artwork itself and without unnecessary background.

INTRODUCTION
The world is in constant flux. Everything including all the material things and ideas may change
based on the facts which are output of human curiosity. Seeking answers to human questions added
scientific facts, evidence, and concepts in the network of knowledge understandable by man. It means that
the more questions asked, the more knowledgeable humans become.

In order for us to enumerate and understand the major shifts in the history of science and
technology, we must be familiarized with the most significant scientific events that change and shaped our
society during the time of Nicolaus Copernicus, Charles Darwin, and Sigmund Freud. In addition, we have
to study the major shifts during the early times in Mesoamerica, Middle East, and Africa.
Copernican Revolution
The theories and ideas from ancient thinkers about the natural world and the universe serve as
the foundation of understanding astronomy today. Though there is only a small number of extraordinary
thinkers during the time of antiquity, there is always a divergence of theories and ideas of philosophers.
The fact that the Earth is not the center of the solar system is one of the outcomes of scientific revolution.
Mathematics was the common tool to explain the motion of celestial bodies and on the latter combined
with actual observations which provided enough evidences proving that the sun is the center of the solar
system. Shown in the table below is the timeline of the remarkable contributions of ancient astronomers
to the development of Geocentric to Helioentric model of the Universe:

Aristotle (384-322 B.C., Proved that the Earth is spherical

Greek) Earth was at the center of the universe, i.e., sun, planets and stars
were located in sphere that revolved around the earth
Aristarchus (310-230 B.C., Was the first to propose the idea that the Sun was the center of the
Greek) universe

Hipparchus (190-120 B.C., Considered to be the greatest astronomer of ancient times.

Greek) Measured Earth’s distance to the moon
Discovered the wobbling of the Earth

Claudius Ptolemy (85-165 Used Hipparchus observations to develop the Ptolemaic System
A.D., Greek) which describes Earth as the center of the universe with sun, moon,
planets and stars revolving around it in a circular orbit.
Nicolaus Copernicus Concluded that the sun and not the earth is the center of the
(14731543, Polish) universe.
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642, Supported Copernican model of the universe
Italian)
Johannes Kepler Formulated the Three Laws of Planetary Motion
(15711630, German)
Darwinian Revolution
Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882) is a biologist who was famously known because of his works
on evolution and the process of natural selection. He studied Divinity in Cambridge where he met Adam
Sedgwick (1785-1973) and the naturalist John Henslow (1796-1861) who brought back his interest in
biology and geology.
With the doctirne of the church and the influence of Henslow, Darwin also rejected the idea of
Lamarck that “acquired characteristics are inheritable.” But his faith altered after his five-year mapping
expedition with the British Army on 1831. It was headed by Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy (1805-1865) of
the ship named H.M.S Beagle. Darwin made observations on diversity of organisms, fossils, comparison to
South American organisms, comparison among the organisms in the Galapagos Islands and adaptation
enabling him to develop his theory of evolution by natural selection.

Evolution as explained by Darwin, occurs by means of natural selection. In addition, natural selection might
occur because of the following reasons:
 a. Overproduction and variation – some species produce many offspring but not all of these young
will survive. It means that not all of the offspring do not have the characteristics to survive in the
environment
b. Competition and selection – competition may or may not be direct but the idea is always on the
survival of organism. The organisms that survived more likely reproduce which transfer their
characteristics to their offspring.
c. Environmental Change – the environment will not adjust for the organism but rather it is always
the organism that will change to adapt to the environment.

Freudian Revolution
Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1939) explained how human mind works and cure its mild mental illness.
He call this method Psychoanalysis and its main goal is to make unconscious conscious. He also developed
topographical and structural model of the mind to basically explain the sources human behavior.

Freud’s Topographical Model of the Mind

According to the topographical model of Freud, the mind is divided into three
regions.
These are the subconscious, preconscious, and conscious mind.
a. Conscious mind - consists of thoughts that focus on the present state of the mind.
b. Preconscious mind – consists of what can be retrieved from the memory.
c. Subconscious mind - consists of primitive desires, wishes or impulse which is
mediated by the preconscious mind

Freud’s Structural Model of the Mind

The structural model of Freud elaborates his topographical model which preconscious mind is
divided into superego, ego, and id.

1. Ego – it drives a socially acceptable way to satisfy the demands of id as it

operates the conscious and unconscious mind.
2. Id – comprises Eros and Thanatos
• Eros – life or survival instinct of man
• Thanatos – death or destructive instinct of man
3. Super-ego – it operates based on the principles of morality that drive man
to become socially responsible and behave in an acceptable manner.
Superego drives a man to follow the rules and resolves the conflict between
ego and id.

Information Age (1970 – present)

People viewed communication as one of the most important tools in understanding society.
Communication is defined as the act or process of using words, sounds, signs, or behaviors that express
ideas, thoughts, feelings and exchange information. It took a lot of time for the communication to develop
but along with the development of technology the impacts of distance, location and time were eradicated.
 According to some historians the beginning of the information age was the time when computer
was made available to ordinary people. Computer is the greatest tool in accessing the World Wide Web
where tons of information are available. It connects people between distances at a very short period of
time. Information age, according to Alberts and Papp in their paper entitled The Information Age: An
Anthology on Its Impact and Consequences, is divided into three modern information revolution: First
Modern Information Revolution, Second Modern Information Revolution and Third Modern Information
Revolution. Enumerated below are the most important events during the modern information revolution:

First Modern Information Revolution

•The invention of telegraph by Samuel Morse (1791 – 1872).

•Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) patented the first telephone.

•Guglielmo Marconi (1874 – 1937) proved the feasibility of radio communications i.e. sending and
receiving of radio signals

Second Modern Information Revolution

•Early generation computers were made available to everyone.

•Television as one of the best communication tool.

•Artificial satellites were built and linked the world.

•Claude E. Shannon (1916 – 2001) quantified information and measured it in bits.

Third Modern Information Revolution

The third modern information is labeled as “knowledge revolution.” This period is only about the
development of communication-related technologies that improved society.

Mesoamerican Period (1200 B.C. – 3rd Century A.D.)

The term Mesoamerica comes from the Greek word mesos meaning “in the middle.” The most
dominant civilizations during this period are the Olmecs, Mayans, and Aztecs.

Olmecs (1500 B.C. – 400 B.C.)

• The top of the society are priests and nobles who lived in ceremonial centers
• Normal people lived in farming villages around the elites
• Carved colossal heads from volcanic rocks as portraits of rulers
• Invented calendar and carved hieroglyphic writing into stone
• The mother culture of Mesoamerica

Mayan Civilization (300 B.C. – 900 A.D.)

• Developed methods of farming such as shifting agriculture and raised bed farming
• Organized into city-state without political unity but bounded economically.
• Developed numbering system including place value and the concept of zero.
 • Also developed hieroglyphic form of writing that were used for recording astronomical
observations, rituals and religious matter but was burnt during the invasion of Spanish
conquerors. • Developed a solar calendar with 365 days and ritual calendar with 260 days

Aztecs (12th century – 15th century)

• Built chinampas or “floating gardens” to plant crops

• Built empire which has a ruler with his council consisting of nobles, priest and military leaders.
• Also developed a calendar with 365 days and a ritual calendar with 260 days.
• Believed that illness is a punishment from the gods but still uses herbs and medicine for
treatment.

Middle East (17th century)

Middle East is a term used to describe a geographic location that extends from Egypt to
Afghanistan where Islam arose. Islam is a religion of right actions, rules, and laws that began in the 7th
century and follows the teachings of Muhammad who, for the Muslims, is the messenger of God. Islam is
also an Arabic word meaning “submission to God.” Islamic rules are symbolized by five obligatory acts or
the five pillars of Islam: Witness (Shahada), Worship (Salat), Fasting (Sawn), Tithing (Sakat), and Pilgrimage
(Hajj).

Seemingly different to other ancient civilizations like Europe, Islam, as religion plays, an important
role not only in Arab ways of living but also in the advancement of science because the pursuit of
knowledge is included in the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. These practicality of Islam and openness
to embracing knowledge resulted to some advancement in the field of geography, medicine, and
mathematics.

Contributions to Geography

• Salah prayers requires knowledge in geography to know the direction of the Qublah, i.e., the
direction where Muslim face during prayers.
• In 1166, Al Idrisi produced very accurate maps including a world map that has continents,
mountains, rivers and famous cities.
• Al-Muqdishi, a geographer, also produced an accurate colored map.
• Muslims were part of some great expeditions (Magellan’s and Columbus’ expeditions to name a
few) because they were great navigators.

Contributions to Mathematics

• Muslims invented symbols to express an unknown quantity.

• Made use of zero and decimal system.
• Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī (early 9th century), one of the first Directors of the House of
Wisdom, introduced algebra in solving equation.

Medical Contributions

• Arabs used cadaver in studying and understanding human anatomy and physiology.
 • Abū-ʿAlī al-Ḥusayn ibn-ʿAbdallāh Ibn-Sīnā or Avicenna (ca. 970–1037) wrote encyclopedia of
medical knowledge. This work was translated into Latin and was used as a textbook in Europe up
to seventeenth century.
• Abū Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariyyā al-Rāzī (854–925 CE) spearheaded the construction of the
first Islamic Bimaristans (hospital).

African Revolution
Africans, like other eastern civilizations, are pioneers of some advancement in science and
technology. They worked independently without any influence of European Science. Some remarkable
works of Africans were in the field of Mathematics, metallurgy, architecture and engineering, astronomy,
medicine, and navigation. Some of their most remarkable contributions are the following.

• Made use of the first method of counting.

• The modern concepts of mathematics that is globally accepted and used today in high schools
was first developed in Africa.
• Used advanced techniques in creating fuel efficient furnace which was 200-400oC hotter
compared to 1600oC furnace used by Romans.
• Created the building of Zimbabwe and the eleven interconnected rock-hewn churches of Lalibela
in Ethiopia which are considered as wonders of the world.
• Observations on Sirius A and B by Dogon people.
• Cushitic people used their knowledge of stars and constellations to calculate and establish an
accurate calendar.
• Pioneered some medical practices like installation of false teeth, filling of dental cavities, broken
bone setting, bone traction, vaccination, brain surgery, skin grafting, and autopsy.
• Made use of plants like the bark of salix capensis as source of aspirin, kaopectate for treating
diarrhea and Rauwolfia vomitoria as source of reserpine for hypertension and snakebite.
• Built boats in varying sizes. The largest boat they created was estimated to carry a load of 80
tons.

MODULE 5 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND NATION BUILDING

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the chapter, students should be able to:
1. Discuss the concept of nation building and its importance;
2. Explain the relationship between development and nation building;
3. Discuss the role of Science and Technology in the Philippine nation building;
4. Evaluate government policies pertaining to science and technology in terms of their
contributions to nation building; and
5. Identify actual science and technology policies of the government and appraise their
impact on the development of the Filipino nation.

CHAPTER OUTLINE

The Concept of Nation Building

Science and Technology in Nation Building: Global Perspective

Science and Technology in the Philippine Nation Building

Major Development Programs and Personalities in Science and Technology in the

Philippines

Science Education in Philippines

Selected Indigenous Science and Technology

Introduction
Historical developments in science and its application showed the rapid pace of changes.
Natural sources with their limitations were supplemented through revealing its optimum
capacity and role in the society. In the beginning of the 20th century, the progress in the society
has been closely linked with technological advancement and the linkage continuously
intensified in the following decade (nap.edu, 2017). The role of individual inventors which
triggered the great introduction of organized scientific researcher and technological
innovations flourished from then on. The accumulation of scientific knowledge and the
application of it has transformed human life and provided help in addressing human needs and
standards of society towards development.
Development is always associated with technology and the latter “happens when there is
advancement in science” (Pujari, 2016,p.1). Development is required in every individual to
every nation in all aspects. Accordingly, it is a requirement that science and technology goes
hand in hand to make development happen and nation building possible. On the other hand,
difficult questions on to how to use science and technology most effectively for addressing not
only the human but the society has been introduced.

The Concept of Nation Building

Understanding the concept on nation building requires a prior concept of the term nation. Early
conceptions of nation defined it as a group or race of people who shared history, traditions, and
culture, sometimes religion, and usually language. Generally, people of a specific nation share
a common national identity. It may include identity based on race or ethnicity, loyalty to set a
set political ideas, and institutions, and the linkage of citizenship to nationality.

Fagoyinbo (2013) explained that “the word nation is often used synonymously with state, as in the
United Nations. But a state is more properly the governmental apparatus by which a nation rules
itself.” In approaching the question of nation building, and its relationship to state building, it is
important to keep in mind that this definition specifies the “legitimate use of force” (Stephenson,
2005).

Many aspects shall be considered in achieving a strong nation. As Prof. Gambari (2008)
enumerated, there aspects include:

• Building a political entity (territory, rules, norms, principles, and common citizenship;
• Building institutions (symbolizes political entity – institutions such as bureaucracy, an
economy, the judiciary, universities, a civil service, and civil society organizations); and
• Building a common sense of purpose, a sense of shared destiny, a collective imagination
of imagination of belonging.
The impact of a welfare-centered developments aimed to address the basic needs of the
people to be free from poverty, inequality, unemployment, on the other hand, or by desire
to compete for resources and power either internally or in the international system, is
indeed necessary. Thus, it doesn’t only include developments in terms of human rights but
also most importantly, development of education towards democratic state to promote
state to promote welfare (Barbanti, 2005).

Development in Relation to Nation Building

In the 19th century, development was philosophically understood as the improvement of
humankind. Likewise, it can be understood, in a more practical way, by political elites as
social engineering of emerging national societies (McMichael, 2004).

Reisman (2008) distinguished development as “decision process and decision

outcomes” which makes it effective in influencing in all ways the values and culture of
global communities. This make changes and dynamism in the society as important
distinguishing feature of development. On the other hand. He further explained that
“development, implies specific scope values with respect to which strategies for securing
selective changes are invented and against which change-flows in decision structures and
in the production and distribution of values are constantly evaluated. Thus, from a
policyoriented perspective, not all changes is development; changes incompatible with
human dignity can be characterized as retrogressions or as “dis developmental”.”

Key Drivers to Development

In the contemporary world, science and technology are key drivers to development, since
economic advances, improvements in key system (health, education, and infrastructure) are
being reinforced through technological and scientific insurgencies. Basically, developments in
science and technology greatly affect the conditions of the people especially in their way to live,
connect, communicate and transact with profound effects on economic development. It is
imperative that every state should invest in equipping their people towards an emerging
national society.

Promoting scientific and technological advances is seen essential as an instrument for building
a strong nation. On the other hand, the rise of science and technology in this aspect could be
the fall of other related aspects for it could be a potential contributor to the dehumanization of
man and to the degradation of his environment.

Thus, Cowan and Shenton (2004), elucidate that development meant balancing the apparent
inevitability of technological change with social intervention. Idealistically, it mean “assisting
human society’ in its development and perhaps realistically as managing citizen-subjects
experiencing “wrenching social transformation.

Science and Technology in Nation Building: Global Perspective

Science and Technology has an overwhelming impact to rapid development. Implementation of
science and technology in every nation in every aspect of life is the greatest evidence of
modernization. Convenience, simplicity, and easiness in everyday living has been offered by the
introduction of modern gadgets. The absence of modern equipment, in all sectors and or any
other field, the advancement and benefits that being experienced today would not have been
possible (Pujati, 2016).

In a global perspective, moving on with the flow of modernity determines the nation’s capability
to sustain its people’s live. Such is the influence of science and technology for the development
of a nation.

The question now is how a nation shall be assessed on its capability.

Countries are being categorized today based on economy and the application of science and
technology. It can be analyzed from various reports that countries which have stronger base in
science and technology are the one that develop faster.

Economic Situation
The development fields has always been highly influenced by economic thought, as exemplified
by the fact that development has been primarily measured by increases in Gross National
Product (GNP) and or the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The global economic situation has become a basis for determining the classification of
countries. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA), the
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the five United Nations
regional commissions, including Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
(ESCAP) launched the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) reports. This provides
annual reports on world economic trend in different dimensions. It also serves as basis for
classifying countries around the world as to develop economies, economies in transition and
developing economies. Many nations continuously strive to attain “developed” category which
motivates them to strengthen their own economic dimensions. The WESP report 2018 stated
that an “improved global economic situation” offers the best chance for countried to address
“longer-term-issues” which hinders development. The said issues include low carbon economic
growth, reducing inequalities, economic diversification and eliminating deep-rooted barriers
(United Nations, 2018).

Science and Technology Application

Determining the competency of a country in science is not an easy task. Certain criteria must
be considered in evaluating this aspect. Parameters involving management of scientific
knowledge and implementation of these knowledge are given focus in this sense. The Scientific
American published its Global Science Scorecard which serves as the basis for ranking the
performance of various countries in the field of science. Along with the launching is an
interactive table of top 40 countries ranking in 2012, the Global Science Scorecard. United
States got the top most rank then by Germany, China, Japan, the UK, France, Canada, South
Korea, Italy and Spain. The said scorecard necessitates not only the scientific outputs but also
the process of utilizing this scientific knowledge directly affecting the lives of the people in the
real world (Guterl, 2012)
Evidently, most of those countries, which are categorized by the United Nations as “developed”,
perform well in the field of science as well. This somehow gives the idea that economic
development can be sustained through an effective science and technology applications-
innovations.

Science and Technology for the Advancement of Developing Countries

In many developing countries, science and technology plays an important role in social and
economic progress. The importance of science and technology in addressing the national and
international issues necessitates the promotion of various science and technology program
thtoughout the developing countries.

Accordingly, developing countries realize the importance of benchmarking and learning best
practices from the developed nations to eventually produce a localized science and technology
programs (National Academy of Sciences, 2006).
Ateneo Manila University quoted former Sen. Angara who stressed that “investmentson
research and development (R&D) and educationrelated to the “emerging trend” in various field
of applied sciences, evidently considers “Science and Technology Innovation (STI) as a driving
force behing the success of the Asian neighboring countries” He further enumerated the factors
which contribute to the economic successes of these Asian countires:

• Government investment in public goods and services such as roads, clean water, health
and education;
• Support for small and medium-scale enterprises;
• Support for higher education institutions, science and engineering sectors, and industry
and trade associations;
• Inter-institutional linkages between universities, industries, government agencies and
nongovernment organizations; and
• Good governance.
Generally, it is recognized that nations and communities who aim for a good standing in the
worl economy must either possess or seek to acquire a home-grown, self-generating
capability in science and technology. Citizens, government and every individual effort in
 advancing the status of science and technology in a nation are important towards
promoting a nation to a more advanced level of competency, competitiveness and
capability.

Science and Technology in Philippine Nation Building

Philippines is one of the developing countries that is continuously addressing the
persistent problems of inequality and poverty. How the Philippines responds to these
challenges will determine whether the country will experience rapid, inclusive, and
sustained growth and development.

The philippin government, as early as the 1980s, prioritize the initiatives on promoting
the role of science and technology in the national development. The declarations in the
1987 Constitution, Article XIV acknowledges the significant role of science and technology.
This mandate necessitates the assurance of implementing efforts in utilizing science and
technology as a tool for advancing the capability and capacity of the nation for the welfare
and condition of its people. Hence, The Philippine Government agencies play significant
role, in sustaining and promoting science and technology for the progress of the country.

Major Development Programs and Personalities in Science and Technology in the Philippines
The Philippine Development plan (PDP) 2017-2040 includes S&T related enabling
mechanisms toward achieving strong pillars for development. Considering several
fundamental weakness in terms of S&T competitiveness, the PDP2017-2040 emphasizes
strategies that shall be pursued to help raise the S&T related pillars of the country.
One of the most promising strategy in breaking the barriers that hinder Philippines progress, in
terms of Science. Technology and Innovation (STI), is enhancing the competitiveness of the
country’s science and technology human resources. This strategy recognizes, the role of
every individual inventor whose works became the womb of a new innovated scientific
knowledge honed towards sustaining the advancements necessary for building the nation.

DOST had launched programs to encourage Filipino Scientist, technologies experts and
professionals to continuously share their expertise towards accelerating the STI
development system and economic development of the country. Hence, S&T personalities
who contributed significantly in the development of the country, as well as their works,
deserved to be recognized.

The highest honor given by the president to an individual who had contributed
significantly to the fields of science and technology in the country is the order of the
National Scientist. A national scientist received an annual gratuity and other privileges
similar to those enjoyed by National Artists (P.D 1003A). Currently, there are 41 National
Scientist, four of them were the most recently conferred 2014) S&T personalities who were
featured by Sabillo of Philipine Daily Inquirer.

Angel C. Alcala, Ph.D.

He was recognized for his research on the ecology and diversity of Philippine amphibians
and reptiles, as well as marine biodiversity and conservation of marine-protected areas. His
 work has led to a national policy on marine no-take zones or protective areas, which has
become a model of coastal resource management that has been adopted by other
countries.

Ramon C. Barba, Ph.D.

He was recognized for his achievements in the field of plant physiology, especially the
introduction of flowering of mango and micro propagation or the rapid multiplying of stock
plant of important crop species.

Edgardo D. Gomez, Ph.D.

He is known for his research and conservation efforts in invertebrate biology and ecology.
He was pivotal in the world’s first national-scale assessment of damage to coral reefs,
resulting in international conservation initiatives such as the Global reefs and Risk analysis,
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network and the International Coral Reef Action.

Gavino C. Trono Jr., Ph.D.

He was cited for his outstanding contribution in the field of tropical marine phycology,
focusing on seaweed biodiversity. He published extensive studies on the culture of seaweed
species that benefited the livelihood of coastal populations and was the first to report the
occurrence of “ice-ice” disease that affected many seaweed farms.

Science Education in the Philippines

Keeping up with the rapid advancement of science and technology all over the world is crucial.
Advancement nowadays cannot be limited to acquiring advance facilities and technologies but
more on the acquisition and enhancement of knowledge and skills essential in meeting the
demands of the highly competitive and scientific-based society.

In the Philippines and around the world, science and technology-based and a knowledge-based
economy are the common concerns. Living in such an environment requires expectations and
skill to survive. The effort of investing in science, technology, and innovation shall be supported
and sustained through breaking resource gaps, specifically in the education sector. As John F.
Kennedy, former US President, said “our progress as a nation can be no swifter that our progress
in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource.” That is about, in meeting the
demands of the 21st century world, the direction of science education.

In all fairness with the Philippine government, efforts to improve quality education have always
been part of its plan of action. The Department of Education through the National Education
for All Committee (NEC) is engaged in benchmarking strategy with the Southeast Asian
Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology
(SEAMEO INNOTECH). The said undertaking stated on February 2011 is to secure affirmation of
basic education reforms towards meeting the demands of 21 st century.

Fensham (2006) explained that traditionally, science content areas as life science, physical
science, and earth science are presented as separate subjects to achieve mastery on concepts,
principles, and processes. The new science education curriculum shows a revolutionized
inclusion of the three content areas to accentuate the understanding of the connections and
interrelationship of various science concepts. Added to this are the themes which are valued in
real-life contexts namely (1) maintaining good health and living safely, (2) utilizing energy and
coping with changes and conserving and protecting the environment. This implies that learning
how to apply the concepts shall be pursued further towards more meaningful learning.

Such arrangement of the curriculum has been founded in the true aim of education. It can be
traced back in 1996, when the International Commission on Education for the 21st Century to
UNESCO, headed by Jacques Delors, identified leaning throughout life as a key to meet the
challenges of the 21st century. Delors further presented the framework based on the four pillars
of education which are (1) learning to know, (2) learning to live together, (3) learning to do and
(4) learning to be. The report, highlighted the need for individuals to “learn how to learn” for
them to manage the rapid changes and challenges of the present and the future. Thus,
suggesting lifelong learning that involves the development of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and
values throughout one’s life – from early childhood through adulthood.
 MODULE 6 THE HUMAN PERSON FLOURISHING IN TERMS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to
1. Define and explain what technology is and its essence;
2. Understand the human condition and analyze the effects of science and technology to
this condition; and
3. Perceive the danger of the controlling power technology has over humans.

CHAPTER OUTLINE
Selected Views on Technology

Martin Heidegger on Science and Technology

The Society in the Face of Science and Technology

Introduction
Technology has always been defined as a means to an end and being a human activity. It has
longfilled the world. Everyday routines are marked with technological advances that reflect
what a society is good or known for. Technology has well advanced sine the middle of the 20th
century especially after the end of World War II. It is not unexpected for technology to involve
question of knowledge which lead to its formation as one of the branches of philosophy. This
also led to the furtherance of technology based on how it is viewed and understood. But there
is more to that. Aristotle, was born 304 B.C., and ancient Greek philosopher, scientist, and one
of the most significant thinkers who contributed so much to science, technology, political
theory, and aesthetics world; followed that knowledge of the world begins by looking and
examining that which exists. To understand the human person, flourishing in terms of science
and technology, it is good to first examine technology in its essence.

Selected Views on Technology

It has been said that there are many views or ways as to how technology is understood. These
philosophies contributed on how technology is understood and utilized by the society. Some of
it will be discussed briefly below.

Aristotellianism

This views technology as basically a means to an end. To Aristotle, technology is the organizing
of techniques in order to meet the demand that is being posed by humans. This may seem that
technology is primarily concerned with the product. Technology will be judged as either good
or bad based on the value given to the product based on its use and effect to the society.

Technological Pessimism

This view is extremely supported by French philosopher Jacques Ellul. Technological Pessimism
holds that technology is progressive and beneficial in many ways. It is said that technology is a
means to an end but this view, technology has become a way of life. Technique has become a
framework which human cannot escape. It has introduced ways on how to make things easy.
Elluls pessimistic arguments are (1) technological progress has a price, (2) technological
progress creates more problems, (3) technological progress creates damaging effect and (4)
technological progress created unpredictable devastating effects.

Although Ellul has strongly spoken of his arguments, they are still found to be weak and not
true at all times. Like when he said that technological progress can create more problems than
it solves, he seems to have underestimated the objective decision a technician and other
technological agencies makes regarding the technology where they weigh the good and bad
effects it can hve in the society.

Technological Optimism

This view is strongly supported by technologists and engineers and also by ordinary people who
believe that technology can alleviate all the difficulties and provide solutions for problems tha
may come. It holds that even though technological problems may arise, technology will still be
the solutions to it. The extreme version of this philosophy is technocratism which holds
technology as the supreme authority on everything.

Existentialism

The main concern of this view is the existence or the mode of being of someone or something
which is governed by the norm of authenticity. This view basically investigate the meaning of
existence or being and is always faced with the selection must make with which the existent
will commit himself to.
Martin Heidegger, a philosopher is one of the most known supporters of this philosophy. He did
not stop defining what technology is but has dealt with its essence. To Heidegger, the real
essence of technology lies in enframing, the gathering of setting upon which challenges man to
bring the unconcealed to unconcealment and this is a continuous revealing.

Martin Heidegger on Science and Technology

Martin Heidegger examined the two usual definitions of technology; means to an end and a
human activity, because he believed that this kind is confusing and there are questions to it that
we easily overlook. These two definitions cannot be separated from each other. He called it the
instrumental and anthropological definition of technology or simply means by which the human
ends are realized. To Heidegger, this may not be a false definition but it is a misleading one
because this limits our thinking.

The Instrumental Definition of Technology

According to Heidegger, the instrumental definition of technology encourages us to view
technology from different periods of time as not having fundamental differences. But he
claimed that this does not show the true essence of technology. He explained that while
technology is geared towards meeting a human need, still there is a difference between older
handicraft technologies with modern technology. As it is “a saw mill on a secluded valley of the
Black Forest I is a primitive means compared with the hydroelectric plant on the Rhine River”.
Heidegger also urged that “technology is by no means technological” and should not be seen
as merely neutral. The problem begins when humans see it only as a means to an end and
disregard the fact that there is a good technology and a bad technology.

Another problem Heidegger san in the instrumental definition of technology is that it only
invites man to a continual desire to master is which unconsciously may be making technology
go out of hand. Heidegger said, “Everything depends on our manipulating technology in the
proper manner as means. We will, as we say, ‘get’ technology ‘spiritually in hand’. We will
master is. The will to mastery becomes the more urgent the more technology threatens to slip
from human control. With this, he argued that the problem does not fall on making technology
better but on how man sets upon technology, his thoughts that makes him blind to the real
essence of technology.

For Heidegger, this correct definition of technology in insufficient as it does not bring out its
real
essence. He said, “In order that we may arrive at this, or at least come close to it, we must week
the true by way of the correct. We must ask: what is the instrumental itself? Within what do
sucj thing as means and end belong? In answering these questions, Heidegger arrived at a
discussion of causality which to him in reality initially involves four ways that leads for
something to exist or to be “caused”.

Aristotles Four Causes

Heidegger further studied Aritotle’s Four Causes and illustrated it using a silver chalice which
he said owes its make up from the four causes.
1. Causa Materialis or the Material Cause – the material by which the silver chalice was
made of
2. Causa Formalis or the Formal Cause – The form or shape that gave the silver chalice
its image
3. Causa Finalis or the Final Cause – the purpose or primary use
4. Causa Efficiens or the Efficient Cause – the agent that has caused for the silver chalice
to come about: the silversmith
The four causes are all deemed responsible for the bringing forth of the silver chalice. This
bringing forth of something is termed as poiesis and this characterized by an external force. It
is brining something concealed to unconcealment which then makes technology as not only a
means to an end but also a mode of revealing. The silver chalice was brought forth by the silver,
by its form, for its purpose, by the silversmith. External factors have caused for the silver chalice
to be brought forth.

On the other hand, something that came about without any external force, like a flower
blooming in the field or a tree bearing its fruit is termed physis. The flower blossomed and the
tree bore fruit without even external help.

Heidegger’s Technology as a Way of Revealing

Heidegger believed that the genuine substance of the real essence of technology is found in
enframing. This is the continuous bringing forth into unconcealment that which is concealed.
This is a nonstop revealing Hedidegger saw technology as a way of revealing and continues to
demand for something to be brought out into the open. This bringing forth into the open is a
two-way relationship: the concealed is calling out for someone to set upon it and bring it to
unconcelament and the one who receives the call sets upon and acts upon to unconceal the
concealed.

The Mode of Revealing in Modern Technology

Heidegger explained that technology as a mode of revealing does not stop and continues to be
seen in modern technology but not in the bringing forth sence. This is a nonstop revealing.
Modern technologi is revealed by challenging nature, instead of bringing forth, it is setting upon
challenges or demands on nature in order to:

1. Unlock and expose

It carries the idea that nature will not reveal itself unless challenge is set upon
it.
2. Stock piles for future use
As technology is a means to an end, it aims to meet future demands.

Modern technology are no able to get more from nature by challenging it. As Heidegger said,
“such Challenging happens in the energy concealed in nature is unblocked, what is unlocked is
transformed, what is transformed is store up, what is stored up is in turn distributed, and what
is distributed switched ever anew.”

The Essence of Technology

The continuous revealing takes place as man allows himself to be an agent in the setting upon
of challenges to nature but Heidegger argues that this is not mere human doing. Man is able to
set upon which was already unconcealed as he responds to the call of unconcealment but
“when man, investigating, observing, pursues nature as an area of his own conceiving, he has
already been claimed by a way of revealing that challenges him to approach nature as an object
of research, until even the object disappears into the objectlessness of standing-reserve.

This gathering of the setting-upon which challenges man to bring the unconcealed to
unconcealment is called enframing with which according to Heidegger, also shows the essence
of modern technology. Enframing is basically putting in order whatever is presented to the man
who sets upon the unconcealed but it is a two-way relationsip: man cannot set himself upon
uncealment without unconcealment’s call and the unconcealed will not go into uncealment
without the man responding to its call. This makes modern technology not a mere human doing
and with this Heidegger argued that the essence of technology lies in enframing.

The Danger of the Nonstop Revealing

As said earlier, the mode of revealing does not stop in modern technology. It continually calls
man to respond to what is presented to him or to the demand for a better and efficient means
to an end. With this comes the continuous challenging forth for the unconcealed to be
unconcealed even more. Here lies the danger that Heidegger talked about.

Revealing opens up a relationship between man and the world but an opening up of something
means a closing down of something which means as something is revealed, another is
concealed. An example given by Heidegger on this “the rise of a cause-effect understanding of
reality closes off an understanding of God as something mysterious and holy: God is reduced to
‘the od of philosophers”.

Another danger is when man falls into a misinterpretation of that which is presented to him.
That is when he sees himself in the object before him rather than seeing the object itself. There
is also the tendency for man to be fully engrossed with the enframing that he fails to weigh the
results and consequences of his setting upon an object which may be destructive not only to
himself but even the surroundings and other people. This happens when he starts to believe
that even man/s happiness is dependent on the continuous modernization of technology.

The Society in the Face of Science and Technology

When one looks around him now, he will see that man tends to find his happiness in the work
of modern technology. Smartphones, tablets, laptops that come in different shapes and sizes
with distinct features seem to be the measure of man’s value. Social media has also affected
the life of many. Face to face social interactions are being lessened and people keep working
hard to update their gadgets. There seems to be no contentment as every time a new product
is released, man finds another need that can only be answered by a new product. These new
products also tend to replace man in the society as the demand for manual labor is becoming
less and less because of the availability of machineries.

This human condition is not of without hope. Heidegger argued that this can be prevented if
man will not allow himself to be overwhelmed with the enframing that he was set upon, but he
pause for a while and reflect on the value of what is presented before him. A balance has to be
struck between technology being instrumental and anthropological. One has to understand that
technology does not only concern the means but also the end as one proverb goes, “The end
does not justify the means.” For Heidegger, the solution for this is that man would not be
controlling and manipulative of what he was set upon but to also allow nature to reveal itself
to him. With this, according to Heidegger, man will have a free relationship with technology.
 MODULE 7 HUMAN FLOURISHING

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this chapter, the students must have:

1. Understand the concept of human flourishing;
2. Analyze human flourishing in relation to the progress of science and technology;
and
3. Conceptualize own views on human flourishing.

CHAPTER OUTLINE

Human Being

Understanding Human Flourishing

Science and Technology and Human Flourishing

CONTENT

Introduction
Science and technology has changed human landscape. As discussed in the previous unit, man
tends to show unlimited contentment – eager to seek better replacement for anything that
performs the functions of man. The introduction of bioengineering, robotics, and related
streams slowly limits the function and purpose of man’s existence in the society. Robots,
machines and other technologies are intended to enhance human condition, or in the future,
replace the human functions in the society. Will the contemporary situations (positive or
negative) threaten human nature? Are all the benefits from the fruits of progress in this
discipline fulfill the main aim of every human being in the society?

Human Being
There are many ways of describing a human being. But most of it do precisely define or describe
a human. Or “what does it mean to be a human”. Answers to this question may have its scientific
basis and or philosophical context. Biologists describe human as having the attributes of living
organisms – including plants and animals. This designated that human being is a complex matter
capable of performin life sustaining process. Human, being the highest form of these living
organisms, is said to have characteristics which cannot be sustained through mere science.
Smith (2012) shared that, we can’t turn to science for an answer because in the first place,
science identified human with varied opinion and limited evidence. He further stressed that
“Biologists aren’t equipped to tell us whether and organism is a human organism because
“human” is a folk-category rather a scientific one”.

Blakemore and Greenfield (1987) recognized that the possession of intellect distinguishes a
human being grom another creature. This intellect supports self-consciousness and awareness
sufficient fot the achievement of human’s function, discovery of truth, and development of
mankind. It may sound universally acceptable but to Heidegger, the question “What is human
being?” is just a tip of the original and more valid question “What is the meaning of being?” He
thought that such move was to divert the “inquirer” from the “object of inquiry”…according to
Heidegger, it was originally the fundamental question of philosophy, which was pursued by the
ancient Greek philosophers but later on neglected, if not forgotten, in Western philosophy.
Heidegger is not convinced with the reasons used to justify such neglect – the selfevidence,
universality, and indefinability of the concept of being.

Furthermore, he argued that asking for the meaning of the term “being” doesn’t suggest that
the
“inquirer” has no idea about it because in the first place, the meaning of being is associated
with the concept of existence, which meanss that the inquirer already has the idea on the term
“however vague or incomplete.” The inquirer obviously refers to man as being, focuses to the
what of human existence. This somehow justifies human being’s adaptability to environmental
changes and ability to manipulate environment in the interest of survival.

Conversely, Heidegger used the term “dasien” which literally means “being there” focuses on the
“modes of existence” or the “who” of dasien. The modes of existence is fundamentally established
by two things: (1) dasien exists in a world and (2) dasien has a self that it defines as it exist in such
world. Hence, this supports human being’s capacity to decide on that is good or bad for them.

Understanding Human Flourishing

It has been discussed that human being is endowed with innate abilities and characteristics that
let him sustain his function and to survive in the given environment. In the very center of being
is unexplainable thirst which long for happiness, serenity and fulfillment. The unquenching
thirst towards indefinite bounds of life can only be sufficed once fulfilled. Why does human
being feel this way? What is man’s ultimate desire for living?

It would be beneficial if different views will be taken into account to understand it well. The
following are the selected philosophers’ point of view:

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. For Aristotle, happiness (earthly) is the highest desire and ambition
of all human beings. And to achieve it, one must cultivate the highest virtues within oneself.
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 ideals 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 “eu” which means good and
“daemon” which means spirit. This literally defines it as “the state of having 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 contended 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 genereal
sense, eudaimonia can be perceived as ant theory that places the personal happiness of an
individual and his/er complete life at the core of ethical concern.

On Epicurus’s Viewpoint
Epicurus was a Greek philosopher who contradicted the metaphysical philosophers. He
believed that balance and temperance were created space for happiness. His view is not more
of how happiness can be defined but more on 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 pleasure
against pain to attain well-being.

On Nietzsche’s Viewpoint
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was a German philosopher and cultural critic who published
intensively in the 1879s and 1880s. he is known for his criticisms on psychological analyses that
resulted to opposing ideas on the people’s received ideas. As expected, Nietzsche 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”. Consequently, laziness for him
is described as to not have any worries or istress in life. Philosophers’ iews are the evidences of
objective sense of how it means to flourish. It accepts that man’s ultimate desire of living is to
flourish and to experience a life of well-being (life that goes well for him). Flourishing can either
be based on the state of mind (e.g. mental habit) or a kind of value (e.g. insights, outlooks).
One’s mental habit and value towards life may deny access to experience fulfillment of life. On
the other hand, it may lead to understanding one’s function through self-actualization. Thus, it
justifies why it is difficult for a person to give exact answer if asked, “What is happiness?” which
is almost the same condition in answering the question, “what is your life’s purpose?”

Science and Technology and Human Flourishing

We live in the world where science and technology are the forefront of ever changing society.
Advances and continuous technological growth are the results of intensified application of
scientific knowledge to deliver progress in the 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. Nanotechnology and robotics made industries
flourished. Economic growth and global standing were achieved through innovations. Scientific
applications continuously provide convenience to human lives. All these and more completes
the story of changes, innovations, and progress which impact the ethical and moral preference
of human in the modern society. Yet, these progress become problematic because of the ethical
or even legal concerns. Examples are debates on whether human embryo (right to live) is being
sacrifice or not in the process of cloning; will the creation of artificial intelligence (AI) – smarter-
than-human intelligence conserves the functionality of human nature does not; does mining
support the nations’ economic development and labor employment or degradation of
environment and human rights infringement?

Indeed, progress is inevitable so as the desire of human to flourish. As scientific and

technological developments increasingly play significantly to human lives, eudemonistic
orientation of happiness or end. What kind of virtues were offered by these scientific progress?
For the common good or self-directed? Do they promote well-being? Should the ethical and
moral aspects of human being be changed to be at par with progress and attain human
flourishing?

MODULE 8 - THE GOOD LIFE

Chapter Outline
The Concept of Being Good

The Good Life

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:
1. Describe what good life is; and
2. Examine shared concerns that make up the good life considering ethical standards in order to
determine appropriate decisions to contemporary issues.

Content

Introduction

“What do you want out of life?” is an interesting question posed by Mark Manson that everyone
could probably answer in the simplest common way. “I want to be happy and have a great family and a job
I like”. As discussed in previous chapter, Aristotle’s view that the ultimate goal of man is to flourish, that
is, to find happiness. Martin (2012) defined happiness as loving one’s life and valuing it in ways manifested
by sufficient enjoyment and a robust sense of meaning. Achieving happiness and man’s own desire and
needs commonly gives essence for living a good life. In particular, moral decency and goodness,
authenticity, mental health, self-fulfillments, and meaningfulness describes it.
On the other hand, the concept of how good life would be, depends in the personal decision of man. It is
evident in our modern society that man’s personal decision and ideas – idea of progress, happiness, beliefs,
expectations, attitudes and feelings – are directly affected by convenience and benefits brought about by
science and technology. Every human being aspires to live a good life. Conversely, man’s idea of good life
differs in many dimensions.

The Concept of Being Good

The term “good” is commonly used interchangeably with the term “right”. Traer explained that the
adjectives good and right are related in meaning, but are not synonyms. It makes no sense to speak of a
right person when we mean a good person; or the right action as a meaning for good action. How can we
differentiate the two term then?

Taking the right action means correctly applying a norm, premise, presupposition, rule, standard,
or law. This explains that the term right reasons are being used to justify the principle and its application.
Being good involves having the character and personal qualities that were justified by reasons as
having moral worth. Morals refer to an individual’s own principle regarding right and wrong.
In Aristotelean view, the understandability of the good is based on the idea of what is good for the specific
entity under consideration. As Youkins expounded, that this view of Aristotle states that the good is what
is good.
..For Aristotle, the good is what is good for purposeful, goal directed entities. He defines the good proper
to human being as the activities in which the life functions specific to human beings are most fully realized.
 It acknowledges the fact that human being is endowed with his own rational mind and free will. Timbreza
as elucidated by Gripaldo, explained that in natural ethicians view, “good is that which is suitable to and
proper for human nature. Whenever it is nor proper for human nature, it is bad and must avoided.”
Acting rightly means doing the right thing based on the voice of conscience, otherwise, feeling or guilt,
self-reproach, and remorse will be felt. It follows that a person, as a human being has his own
consciousness of function, survival, and means of having the life he envisioned.
Thus, considering the aspect of human nature, the term “good” denotes a more objective meaning of “a
state or way of being.”

The Good Life

The meaning of this term up to present times remains vague. Wise men of the past argued with the nature
and prerequisites of the good life. Similarly, questions such as , “Is a meaningful life also a happy one?”
and “I living with happiness means living a good life?” are still part of the debateds even of the
philosophers.
Socrates declared that, “the unexamined life is not worth living for”, the idea of worthwhile living should
be filtered with experience and vice versa. Aristotle, being the student of Socrates, viewed the good life as
a life of relationships. It is the nature of man to seek good life with and for others rather than experiencing
it by himself. Aristotle further elucidated the idea of relating the essence of happiness to achieving well-
being and experiencing good life. In relation to psychological foundations, Steve Mueller the founder of
Planet of Success defined the term as:

… a (desirable) state that is primarily characterized by a high standard of living or the adherence to ethical
and moral laws…as such, the term can both be understood as the quest for wealth, material possession
or luxuries and the quest to create a worthwhile, honest and meaning existence.

Martin Heidegger, an existentialist philosopher, also has a different view on the aspect of life. He dealt
more on how we live and “authentic life” rather dealing with the “good life”.” For Heidegger, living an
authentic life rather dealing with the good life. For Heidegger, living an authentic life means living with
deep acceptance on the facility of death and resulting to a life lived according to what is has clearly decided
as its meaning and purpose.
These declarations and definition of good life somehow establishes the idea of asking “how to attain
meaningful existence?” which will cyclically route to asking for the meaning of good life. Despite the fact
that philosophers dealt with these questions for many years, modern world tend to answer the problem
of what constitutes the good life through modern science. Various scientific disciplines have devised
empirical methods for assessing subjective states of happiness and well-being and providing innovative
and advanced technology which promotes happy and meaningful life for modern society.
No one can deny the fact that science and technology has a profound impact on how modern man thinks
and appreciates matter. It can be concretely seen in the present conditions of man in the society. The
desire to feel satisfaction of research and development through genetic engineering, cloning, and the likes
opened endless doors for skeptics.
The unending desire for perfection of altering human condition and productivity, which is somehow
questionable, continues to flourish. In addition, the introduction of cybernetics and nanotechnology which
are considered to be the pillars for the idea of achieving precise and accurate function through it. Lastly,
the promotion of wireless technology revolutionized the way how humans communicate and interact.
These are just some of the conditions which suggested material things and continuous path towards
achieving indefinite level of happiness and good living.
On the other hand, man’s varied ethical foundations may also differentiate the idea of good life. Some
may define it through attaining pleasure (hedonism); others may related it to peace of mind through
minimizing desires and passions (stoicism) and some views are based on professing moderated pleasure,
which for them, “anything that is taken in excess is bad” (epicureanism).
Thus it’s up to the various intellectual traditions, perspective or ethical preferences on what the so called
good life is. And the question, “What good life is? Remains a question for everyone.”

MODULE 9 - WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSS

Chapter Outline
Advantages, Disadvantages, and Limitations of Technology
Humanity

Policies and Technological Advancement

Ethical Dilemmas

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this chapter the student should be able to:
1. Rationalize the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of applying technology to humanity;
2. Identify and examine international/local government policies and human rights that protect the
well-being of the person in the face of new technologies; and
3. Discuss some examples of ethical and conflicts wherein technology affects humanity in terms of
moral issues and social conflicts.

Content

Introduction

What is technology? What is humanity? Our world is truly entering a period of transformative modification
that most people will be surprised by the measure and unavoided step of developments that we merely
had not expected. There are so many inquiries regarding the positive and negative effects, limitations of
developments and the ethical dilemmas that we will face in the future.
In order to find the answer to these questions, we have to be able to understand and rationalized what is
humanity, the human nature, and its condition, the ethics that will and should govern each application of
technology to humanity. It also requires an understanding that these technological advances offer
tremendous potential, and with these opportunities dome tremendous new responsibilities.
Technology, a word with Greek roots, is defined as “the practical application of knowledge especially in a
particular area”. Technology is a word used to define or portray the progressions, abilities, creations,
happenings, interpretations, and knowledge of a singular group of persons and as humans we execute
certain functions for man and society.
Technology is the external part of science and to understand technology, academic or internal science
shall be treated like a black box. The inner workings are no importance at the moment for as long as they
are responding to the needs of technology.

What is the primary of technology to humanity?

This chapter will enumerate multiple advancement in technology and an assessment of its potential
impacts and its implications to humanity. This will serve as an assessment guide in our decisionmaking that
will change, shape, and transform the future’s human nature in adapting ever changing evolution of
technological advances.

Advantages, Disadvantages, and Limitation of Technology

Importance of Technology to Humanity

 To learn the importance of technology in our everyday lives, it shows that technology has profound impact
on every aspect of lives. The way we live, communicate, and interact changes through technology in the
different fields of education, medicine, transportation, economy, communication, and politics. This
chapter will provide you a clear picture of this impact and highlight the negative and positive aspects as
well as its limitations.

Advantages of Technology
1. Life has become easy through science and technology.
2. Travelling has become faster than before
3. Communication becomes easier, faster and cheaper.
4. Innovations in technology increased the standard of living.
5. Using various technology, man become advanced.
6. The impossible have become possible due to the progress in science and technology. 7. Science
and technology made a lot of things easy to do and comfortable for man

Disadvantages of Technology
1. Human had misused the technology and used in damaging purpose
2. By the use of technology, man is doing illegal things
3. New technology like mobile are generating bad consequences on children
4. By means of modern technology, terrorists use it for destructive purpose
5. Many illness are created due to the development of atomic energy and atomic bomb
6. Modern technology like nuclear energy have not only affected man but it also affected plants and
other creatures.
7. Natural beauty is decreasing due to the development of modern technology

Limitations of Technology to Humanity

1. The Laws of Physics
2. The laws of Software
3. The challenge of algorithms
4. The difficulty of distribution
5. The problems of functionality
6. The importance of organization
7. The impact of economics
8. The influence of politics

MODULE 10 – WHY DOES THE FUTURE NOT NEED US?

Chapter Outline
Human and Society
Relation of Technology with Humanity

How technology is Transforming the Human Experience

Posthumanity Theory

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, the students should be able to:

1. Rationalize the human experience in order to strengthen and enlighten the human function in
society; and
2. Identify and examine what the future of humanity and the future of technology.

Content

Introduction

Experience of human in technology? Where are we now? Wearable technology, sensors all over the place;
we have now the power to monitor, in real time, just about everything, giving it to these new trends. We
can improve every aspect of our life – from our health, our time, and various aspects of our family lives.
Human interests on technology allows them to expand the range of human experiences. There are
qualified experiences and what’s more, they can share these experiences with other human being,
injecting the technology into their lives, thus, the future of technology is based on how the human will use
it.
But most significantly, what makes us incomparably better off its technology but in the end, the true value
of technology is not about replacing human experience, but mitigate its deficiencies.

Human and Society

Most of the time in a simple hunter-gatherer society’s human species lives. Agrarian societies advanced
less than 5,000 years ago and it is only in the last 200 years that a modern industrial society has come into
being. Today this industrial society is quickly converting into a global information society.
Is this societal progress a change for the better? There always been controversy over this question, and
presently the disagreement seems more intense than eve, possibly for the reason that we are more
conscious today that society is making. Because social change is taking place at an ever increasing rate.
One of the issues in this current debate is the quality of life in modern society. Progress optimists have
confidence in that we live better now than earlier generations, while pessimists question that life is getting
worse.

Technology and Humanity: A Positive Side

As the old saying goes, “Necessities is the mother of invention” i.e. necessities have a tendency to issue
invention as each invention is invalidated with the need of betterment and transmogrification. In a day
there are newer and newer advances happening. Technological change has a large responsibility for many
of the secular trends in such basic parameters of the human condition as the size of the world population,
life expectancy, education levels, material standards of living, and the nature of work, communication,
healthcare, war, and the effects of human activities on the natural environment. Technology influences
other aspects of society and our individual lives in many direct and indirect ways, including governance,
entertainment, human relationships, and our views on morality, mind, matter, and human nature.
Human history with a kind of directionality was provided by technological development. As technology
advances, it backs the characteristics of every situation over and over again. The age of automation is going
to be the age of “Do it yourself.”

The Positive View

• Material standard of living

• Untimely Death is Reduced
• Improvement in Evolutionary View
• Reduced Suffering

The Negative View

• Contemporary Social Problem
• Society Drifting Away from Human Nature

Societal Collapse
There are several attempts to explain the societal collapse. This includes the following words: Gibbon’s
classic Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire also Joseph Tainter’s Collapse of the Complex Societies, and
Jared Diamond’s more recent How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed.
Tainter, notes that societies need to protect certain resources as food, energy, and natural resources in
order to sustain their populations. In their attempts to solve this supply problem, societies may grow in
complexity in the form of bureaucracy, infrastructure, social class distinction, military operations, and
colonies. Sometimes, the marginal returns on these investments and social complexity become
unfavorable, and societies that do not manage to scale back when their organizational overheads become
too large finally face breakdown.
Diamond says that many past cases of societal collapse have elaborate environmental factors such as
deforestation and habitat destruction, soil problems, water management problems, overhunting and
overfishing, the effects of introduces species, human population growth, and increased per-capita impact
of people.
Four new factors that may contribute to the collapse of present and future societies was also suggected
by him such as human-caused climate change, but also build-up of toxic chemicals in the environment,
energy shortages, and the full utilization of the Earth’s photosynthetic capacity. Diamond draws attention
to the danger of creeping normalcy, stating to the phenomenon of a slow trend being concealed within
noisy fluctuations, so that a detrimental outcome that occurs in small, almost unnoticeable steps may be
accepted or come about without resistance even if the same outcome, had it come about in one sudden
leap, would have evoked a vigorous response.

Different classes of scenarios involving societal collapse:

a. Local Societal Collapse

 Individual societies can collapse, but this is doubtful to have a determining effect on the
future of humanity if other advanced societies survive and take up where the failed societies
left off. All historical cases of collapse have been of this kind.

b. Global Societal Collapse

We suppose new kinds of threat or trend towards globalization increased
interdependence of different parts of the world and create a vulnerability to human civilization
as a whole.

MODULE 11 – BIODIVERISTY AND HEALTHY SOCIETY

Chapter Outline
What is Biodiversity
The Importance of Biodiversity

Threats to Biodiversity

Earth’s Biodiversity Hotspots

Genetically Modified Organism

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, the students must have

1. Determined the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health;

2. Identified human-causes species loss as one of the major current threats to biodiversity;
3. Defined biodiversity hotspots and explain where most of the world’s biodiversity hotspots are
located; and
4. Familiarized with genetically modified organisms.

Content

Introduction

This chapter covers the biodiversity and its link to ecosystem. Biodiversity plays an important role in
ecosystem providing services essential for the people and the healthy society. Thus, it is necessary for the
complete human race to understand its components and how to help protect the diversity of life that exists
on earth.

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is a condensed phrase of “biological diversity” is a multifaceted topic covering many aspects
of biological differences. It supports all life on earth which covers the variety of life forms at structural
levels. In a broader view, it could be defined as “life on earth.”

Three Kinds of Biodiversity

1. Genetic Biodiversity
It is a measure of the variety of versions of the same genes within individual species.

2. Species Biodiversity
Describes the number of different kinds of organisms within individual communities or ecosystems

3. Ecological Biodiversity
Specifies the number of niches, trophic levels, and ecological processes that capture, sustain food
webs and recycle materials within this system.

The importance of Biodiversity

Biodiversity is extremely important to people, society, and the health of the ecosystems. It can aid
ecosystem stability and because we rely on many different organisms. A few of the reasons are:
 a. Biodiversity provides food and medicine
b. Biodiversity can aid ecosystem stability
c. Aesthetics and existence values are important

Threats to biodiversity

E.O. Wilson summarizes human threats to biodiversity as HIPPO, which stands for H
– Habitat Destruction

I – Invasive Species

P – Pollution

P – Population of humans

O – Overharvesting

Earth’s Biodiversity Hot Spots

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

While selective breeding has existed for thousands of years, modern biotechnology is more efficient, and
effective because seed developers are able to directly modify the genome of the crop. This process is called
“genetic modified organism (GMO). It is also known as genetic engineering, where in selective breed of
plants were being enhanced with the genes of another plant. Some example of these plants is wheat which
cannot be easily drought, maize which can survive pesticides, and cassava which has additional nutrients
than normal cassava. Genetic modified crops can help farming a lot. It can produce higher number of yields
than usual. By this, GMO can strengthen farming especially against the unpredictable factors of nature.
But controversy remains on how to get an access to this biotechnology and regarding to the safety of
genetic modified foods.

The Impact of GMO to Biodiversity and Environment

Alarming results have been produced in several recent studies indicating the toxity and harm to health
and ecology. The following summarizes the effect:

a. An insect resistant crop could have direct toxic effect on non-target species
b. A GM crop could have an indirect effect to other species by reproducing the source of food for
other wildlife such as birds
c. Pest resurgence could be resulted from insects which become resistant to chemicals when used
on pest tolerant GM crops repeatedly and may increase the number of pest
d. Creates imbalance in nature by changing the predator-prey ratio
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MODULE 12 THE INFORMATION AGE (GUTENBERG TO SOCIAL MEDIA)

Chapter Outline
The Pre-Gutenberg World

The Gutenberg Revolution

The Post-Gutenberg World

Information Age

Social Media and Its Impact to Society

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, the students must have:

1. Familiarized with the pre-Gutenberg world, Gutenberg Revolution and post-Gutenberg World;
2. Linked learned concepts to the development; and
3. Illustrated how social media and information age affected our society.

Content
The Pre-Gutenberg World

In early times, books were created manually by hand. They were transcribed through clay, papyrus, was
and parchment. Besides, governments chose only to whom will be given the education to read. They were
scared that the influence of mass communication will be the hindrance in their ruling. The transmission
of information relied only through “word-of-mouth” channels. In 1440, the first printing press was built
through Johannes Gutenberg which heralded the start of mass communication. However, it took hundred
years for this to spead.

The Gutenberg Revolution

Gutenberg revolution is a term used to express the democratizing effects of printing press among
the society. The invention of the printing press allowed worldwide changes to take place. Democracy was
one of the societal change which allowed people to have a voice. Although the distribution of information
becomes possible, it is expensive and only few can afford in. hence, to satisfy the needs of everyone,
distribution of information was institutionalized and mediated.

The post- Gutenberg World

On the other laws, the dispersal of information took a long time though printing press. In 1920, the radio
broadcasting was introduced. It marked a significant jump in the speed of the communication. It made
the spreading of information even more quickly and widely. However, in the 1970s, the information age
accelerated global communication. It started when microprocessor began and took it as the introduction
to the internet browser, which made the information age significant up to this day. In the early times of
the internet, it still follows Gutenberg Principle. Both money and expertise are required for you to be able
to access internet and spread information and was therefore still the greater access to information was
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not fulfilled. However, the speed in accessing the information through internet was great. For that reason,
many investments appears to serve and create opportunities with ecommerce as the major new web-
based phenomena.
According to Stacy, the development of internet in our world, changed two major expansion: First,
uploading and downloading of different forms of media, such as image, vidoes, and audios, were now
possible through internet access. Second, spreading and publishing of information were now much easy
because of different tools.

This time, information can now be on the hand of every individual and all the potential individuals.

This is called as the post-Gutenberg principle or social information principle.

Social Media and its Impact to the Society

a. Social media made the society less individualistic and traditional group more reinforced
b. In education, including informal learning, social media served as an important catalyst
c. Selfies shared in social media send different messages worldwide
d. In the world of social media, online equality is different from offline equality
e. Not the company, but the people who uses social media define is functionality
f. The public social media can be viewed as traditionalist or conservative
g. Posted photos and use of emojis in social media has shifted human communication
h. The world became less homogenous becuaseof social media
i. Personal commerce has been greatly promoted with the help of social media
j. Group communication arise because of social media
k. Social media, for some, served as their online homes
l. Gender relations has been profoundly affected by social media
m. Human conversations and relationships are now polymedia
n. Memes in social media served as moral police that has set the standards of normal behavior
among the general public
o. Social media is a privacy threat

MODULE 13 NANO WORLD

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Chapter Outline
What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology of the Past

Nanotechnology in the Philippines

Major Environmental Application of Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology Issues

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, the students must have:

1. Familiarized with the historical background of nanotechnology;

2. Recognize with the emerging practice of nanotechnology in the Philippines; and
3. Develop a critical approach in examining the relationship between scientific development,
technological development, and society.

Content

What is Nanotechnology?

Nano, as unit of measurement is an analogous entity like meter. The prefix nano means a factor of
billionth (10-9) in the metric system. The nanoscale usually refers to the length of around 0.1 to 100 nm.
Nanomaterials or nanostructures are in the form of nanoscale.
The first definition of nanotechnology came from Norio Taniguchi, a professor of Tokyo Science
University. He coined the term at the international conference on industrial production in 1974 to describe
work on semiconductor processes such as thin film deposition and ion beam milling on the order of
nanometer without naming it as such.
There have been many efforts to describe the definition of nanotechnology. And if somebody will ask a
hundred scientists, a hundred different definition of nanotechnology will be collected.
The absence of generally accepted, strictly recognized meaning of the term “nanotechnology” is
explained by various technologies that nanotechnology covers. Moreover, nanotechnologies are now
being constantly updated and improved, which explains why many concepts about principles of their
implementation are no completely clear.
Nanotechnology is the study and manipulation of matter at a scale of about 1 to 100 nm. It involves
characterization, design, and production of structures, devices, and systems with unique properties by
fine-tuning the physical, chemical, mechanical, and optical properties at the nanoscale.

Nanotechnologies of the Past

a. Ancient Egyptians
- Fermentation process on nano level (making bread, wine, beer, cheese and other food stuff)
- Nanoparticles of galenite were formed in hair dyeing process
b. Ancient Rome
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- Licurgus cup; 4th Century A.D. possess unusual optical properties

- Recent techniques discovered particles of gold and silver from 50 – 100 nm in size c. Middle
Ages
- Stained-glass windows have been admired in Europe because of close to perfection. As the
latest study shows, the windows contained additives of gold and nanoparticles of other
metals.
-

Nanotechnology in the Philippines

What is the Philippines doing to welcome this new technology? The Philippines, thorugh the effort of
DOST – ITDI provides opportunities and technical services to local industries by Nano Lab.
The following are the list of nanotechnology projects that are being worked out in the Philippines under
the supervision of DOST-ITDI, encouraging local community to rely on what are abundant, unexploited,
and natural organic or inorganic nanomaterials:

1. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and semiconductors e.g., use of nanowires to
ultralast ICT with small power consumption
2. Solar Cells e.g., dye sensitized-based solar cells (DSSC) is low-cost solar cell belonging to the group
of thin film solar cells.
3. Agriculture e.g., facilitate gene transformation and expression of animal and plant cells
4. Food e.g., biodegradable food packaging
5. Environment e.g., water purification by nanofilters for treating heavy metal contaminated water.

Nano technology Issues

1. Health Issues
2. Environmental Issues
3. Agriculture

At present, large fraction of the Philippine population in rural areas experiences poverty which do not
have the means of clean water, electricity, medical treatment, and even education. Nanotechnology can
provide solutions to these basic need in rural areas

1. Cheaper and more readily accessible solar cells based on quantum dots
2. Clean water using nanocatalysts or nanoporous membranes that filters impurities
3. Enhanced agricultural productivity assisted by nanotechnology
4. Medical care using portable medical diagnostic kits using nanotech
5. Advances in ICT in computations and telecommunications may bring effectively

MODULE 14 GENE THERAPHY

SOCSCI 113 – SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
LEARNING MODULE FOR NEW NORMAL EDUCATION

Chapter Outline
Genes and the Human Genome

Genetic Disorders

Gene therapy

Benefits and Disadvantages of Gene Therapy

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module the students must have:

1. Described gene therapy and its various forms

2. Assessed the issues, potential benefits and detriments to global health.

Content

Genes and the Human Genome

Genome is a complete set of the genes in a cell or organism. Human genome resides in 46 chromosomes
that basically come in pair in which 23 are from the father and another 23 from the mother. These pairs
of chromosomes dictates the characteristics of an organism and can be determined as dominant or
recessive.
A chromosome is made up of two chromatids and each chromatid contains sequence of DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid). DNA are commonly found in the nucleus of every cell. The DNA strand, when
divided into portions, constitutes many genes. Genes are made up of hundreds of thousands of chemical
bases. This specific portion of the DNA performs specific function specifically in the production of hormone
or enzymes. Not all the genes in the strand of DNA are working at the same time. For example, the genes
that are ‘switched on’ in the heart are different from those genes that are ‘switched on’ in the eye. The
genes or portion of the DNA sequence that are coded to proteins are called introns and the noncoding
regions are called exons.

Genetics Disorders

Genetic disorders are diseases caused by abnormalities in the DNA sequence of an individual. These
irregularities can happen in just one gene or there is an addition or subtraction of chromosomes. There
are more than four thousand identified medical disorders that are caused by defective genes. Although
genes are responsible for predisposition of these diseases the environment, diet and lifestyle are also
factors that trigger these diseases. These genetic disorders are classified into single-gene disorder,
chromosomal disorder, and multifactorial inheritance.

a. Single-Gene Disorder
Single gene disorders are caused by mutations in specific genes. In humans, there are 50, 000 to 100, 000
estimated genes that are responsible for coding proteins which are needed by cells and tissues to perform
its specific function.
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Single-gene disorders are classified into autosomal single-gene disorder and X-linked disorders. The
question is that, how can we determine if the disorder is autosomal or X-linked? Remember that the
human chromosomes always come in 23 pairs, i.e. 22 pairs of autosomes and a pair of sex chromosome.
Autosomal gene disorder happens in genes that can be found within the 22 pairs of non-sex chromosomes
while X-linked disorder originated from the genes of sex chromosomes.

b. Chromosomal Disorders
Chromosomal may happen under certain conditions. It might be an excess or deficiency of the whole
chromosome, chromosomal rearrangement, and contiguous-gene syndrome. There are many structural
abnormalities in the chromosomes and some of it are related to cardiovascular diseases that lead to
congenital heart disease. Chromosomal rearrangement happens if there is breakage and reconstruction
but in abnormal form. Structural rearrangement, however, may lead to loss or gain of genetic material
but typically gaining human chromosomes is less harmful than the loss of genetic materials.

c. Multifactorial Inheritance
Multifactorial inheritance is not caused by some changes or abnormalities in a single gene or
chromosome. It is basically caused by the combination of genetic changes that produces the disease.
Multifactorial inheritance might happen 5-10% in the first degree relatives with higher risk than that of
the 2nd degree relatives.

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is a method of treating or preventing diseases by replacing, repairing, or turning on or off
genes of a patient’s cells. The process in gene therapy includes the use of vectors and non-viral method
to move a DNA or genes to one cell or another. Some of the vectors in gene therapy are retrovirus,
adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, cis and trans – acting elements, and herpes simplex virus. Non-viral
method, the other hand, has certain advantages over vectors or viral methods since it can be produced in
large scale. Injection of naked DNA is the simplest method under non viral-method. Cells, tissue and even
organisms that undergone gene therapy are considered transgenic or genetically modified. The two main
types of gene therapy are somatic gene therapy and reproductive gene therapy.
Somatic gene therapy are those which are not related to reproductive gene therapy. It is basically the
introduction of genes to cells in a target organ to produce enzymes which are needed by the body to
function well. It means that, somatic gene therapy helps the organ to function well but it doesn’t alter the
genetic makeup of an organism. The changes in organisms caused by somatic gene therapy are not
transmitted to its offspring.
Reproductive gene therapy or germ-line cell therapy is basically the introduction of corrective genes to
sperm cells, egg cells or even zygotes (4-day old). Its main goal or objective is to eliminate the
abnormalities that can possibly be transmitted to the offspring. It is the alteration of genetic makeup of
the offspring by targeting the abnormal genes in the parent’s sex cells.
However, gene therapy requires the identification of the correct genes responsible in the progression of
diseases. The most crucial part of gene therapy is the delivery of the modified gene to the cell or target
organ and this should be done in accurate, controlled and effective way. It can also be noted that modified
genes are not always accepted by the cells for the reason that our cells have its natural defense
mechanism and kills foreign bodies. Most failures in gene therapy are caused by the rejection of the
modified genes.
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Benefits and Disadvantages of Gene Therapy

Though gene therapy is not yet mastered, we believe that it is just only a matter of time. However, it
provides us today these benefits:

1. It offers cure to several diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s disease, AIDS, asthma, diabetes, heart diseases
as well as hereditary diseases.
2. It can replace defective cells.
3. It has a promising potential not only in the field of medicine but in some related fields like agriculture.

These are the disadvantages of gene therapy:

1. Modifying organisms means modifying its capabilities.
2. Viral vectors could recover its ability to cause disease.
3. It can damage the gene pool resulting to multigene disorder.
4. High cost.
5. Ethical issues.
SOCSCI 113 – SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
LEARNING MODULE FOR NEW NORMAL EDUCATION

MODULE 15 – ENERGY CRISIS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESSS

Chapter Outline
Climate Change as a Result of Global Warming

Energy Crisis

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion: Alternative Energy Source

Environmental Awareness

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this modules, student must have:
1. Recognized the causes and effects of climate change;
2. Described the present energy crisis and alternative energy resources; and
3. Demonstrate awareness in the current environmental issues.

Climate change as a result of Global Warming

Have you notices that for the psat few years that the weather is getting more extreme? Animals we have
seen when we were young have gone extinct? Or have you noticed how our climate has been shifting
from its normal patterns?
These observations are not only experienced by you but also by the rest of the people of the world. The
culprit behind these events is global warming.
Over the past century, continuous dependence of people on fossil fuels as source of energy has resulted
to the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This has led to the unusually rapid
increase in the earth’s average temperature, which wqas defined as global warming by the NASA Earth
Observatory.

Obviously, humanity has greatly forces the changes of the Earth’s natural climate.

As reported by the UCSUSA Organization, an increase of 1.5 oF of the average temperature of the earth
over the past 130 years. Majority of the increase occurred over only these past 35 years. It was recorded
that the hottest year was last 2016. Since 1998, the 12 warmest years have already occurred in our planet.

According to EPA, the greenhouse gases include the following:

1. Carbon Dioxide
2. Methane
3. Nitrous Oxide
4. Fluorinated Gases

Sources of Greenhouse Gases

1. Electricity production
2. Transportation
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3. Industry
4. Commercial and Residential
5. Agriculture
6. Land Use and Forestry

Global Warming is Changing the Earth

Impacts of the enhanced global warming have been identified by various scientists
1. More frequent hot days and fewer cold days
2. More intense heat waves
3. Worsening storms, floods and droughts
4. Intensified hurricanes
5. Warmer ocean surface temperatures
6. Rising sea levels
7. More frequent coastal flooding
8. Island nations may disappear
9. Accelerated melting of ice sheets and glaciers
10. Changes in the growing season of plants
11. Disruption of normal ecosystem
12. Loss of animal habitat
13. Possible extinction of animals

Projected Health Impacts of Climate Change

1. Increase malnutrition and consequent disorders
2. Increase in the number of people dying and suffering from disease and injury due to heat waves,
floods, storms, fires and droughts
3. Continue to change the range of some infectious disease vectors
4. Have mixed effects on malaria
5. Increase the burden of diarrheal diseases
6. Increase cardio-respiratory morbidity and mortality associated with goun-level ozone.

Ways to reduce Global Warming and Climate Change

1. Reduce, reuse and Recycle

2. Use less heat and air conditioning
3. Drive less and drive smart
4. Buy energy efficient products
5. Grow your own foods in your backyard
6. Plant trees in your backyard
7. Replace incandescent light to fluorescent light bulb
8. Use hybrid or electric cars
9. Encourage others to conserve
10. Support the government projects toward environmental preservations
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ENERGY CRISIS

A sustainable and reliable source of energy of a country shows its property and development. As stated
by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the primary energy sources include petroleum, natural
gas, coal, renewable energy, and nuclear electric power. Energy sources such as crude oil, natural gas,
coal, and nuclear energy are classified as non-renewable because they do not form or replenish in a short
period of time. These non-renewable energy sources are extracted from the ground in form of liquids,
gases, and solids.
Solar, geothermal, hydropower, wind, biomass, and bio-fuels are renewable energy sources that
replenish naturally in a short period of time. Biomass includes wood and wood waste, landfill gas, biogas,
ethanol and biodiesel.
Energy crisis may lead to questions such as “will we run out of energy?” or “how do we secure our access
to energy?” At present, developing countries have high demands of energy resources in order to secure
its future economis development. Unfortunately, environment risks are associated in accessin energy
demands.

Causes of the Energy Crisis

1. Overconsumption
2. Over population
3. Poor infrastructure
4. Unexplored renewable energy options
5. Delay in commissioning of power plants
6. Wastage of energy
7. Poor distribution system
8. Major accidents and natural calamities
9. Wars and attacks
10. Miscellaneous factors

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

Types of OTEC
1. Closed-cycle or Anderson OTEC cycle
2. Open-cycle or Clause OTEC cycle
3. Hybrid System

Advantages of OTEC Technology

1. It produces clean, green renewable energy

2. It produces no chemical pollution
3. It does not involve burning fossil fuels which leads to lessened greenhouse gas production
4. It can provide potable water from ocean water
5. It can also produce fuels such as hydrogen that can be used to power fuel cells in electric cars
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6. This technology can be used for aquaculture, refrigeration, and air conditioning

Disadvantages of OTEC Technology

1. OTEC plants are only suitable in tropical areas
2. Electricity produces by OTEC power plants is costly
3. Construction of OTEC power plants requires great amount of investment
4. Construction of power plants may damage coral reefs and other marine ecosystem
5. OTEC system may result to political concerns