Docsity
Docsity

Prepare for your exams
Prepare for your exams

Study with the several resources on Docsity


Earn points to download
Earn points to download

Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan


Guidelines and tips
Guidelines and tips

Science, Technology, and Society Chapter 4 - 11, Lecture notes of Earth Sciences

Science, Technology, and Society Chapter 4 - 11, human flourishing, good life, robotics, information age, biodiversity, nanotechnology, GMO, gene therapy, and climate change

Typology: Lecture notes

2024/2025

Available from 05/13/2025

jashmine-mae-agcang
jashmine-mae-agcang 🇵🇭

7 documents

1 / 7

Toggle sidebar

This page cannot be seen from the preview

Don't miss anything!

bg1
Chapter 4
Martin Heidegger and its Essence in
Technology
Martin Heidegger
German Philosopher who wrote an essay “The
Question Concerning Technology” this address
modern technology and its essence as an
instrumental way of revealing the world.
He goes beyond the traditional view of technology as
machines and technical procedures
Heidegger’s Understanding of Technology based on
its Essence
1. it is not something we make; it is a mode of being, or
of revealing. The essence of technology for
Heidegger is not the best or most characteristic
instance of technology nor is it a nebulous
generality, a form or idea. Rather, to consider
technology essentially is to see it as an event to
which we belong: thee structuring, ordering, and
“requisitioning” of everything around us, and of
ourselves
2. technology even holds sway over beings that we do
not normally think as technological, such as gods
and history
3. the essence of technology as Heidegger discusses it
is primarily a matter of modern and industrial
technology. He is less concerned with the ancient
and old tools and techniques that antedate
modernity; the essence of technology is revealed in
factories and industrial processes, not in hammers
and plows
4. technology is not simply the practical application of
science. Instead, modern natural science can
understand nature in the characteristically
scientific manner only because nature has already,
in advance, come to light as a set of calculable,
orderable forces – that is to say, technologically
Characteristics of Modern Technology as a Revealing
Process:
1. Challenging – things are revealed or brought forth
by challenging or demanding them. It is putting to
nature the unreasonable demand that it supply
energy that can be extracted and stored. Nature
reveals itself in modern technology as things of
manipulation, as things that yield energy whenever
man demands them to do so
2. Expediting means to hasten the movement of
something. However, in its original sense,
expediting is also a process of revealing inasmuch
as it “unlocks” and “exposes” something. Things
that are revealed in an expedited manner are
brought forth as resources that must be used
efficiently
Other Terms:
Standing in Reserve – things that are revealed in
modern technology. Things are not “object”.
Objects are things that “stand against us” as
things with autonomy. They are revealed mainly in
human thinking and do not allow further
manipulations
Landscape – as a part of nature that is somewhat
permanent and stand against us as another entity
Around – it so to say and we only see what we can
do to overcome its dominating presence; we do not
manipulate it, but rather, we act according to its
results
Enframing – is the “essence” of modern technology.
It means putting into the frame of modern
technology everything in nature. This “frame” of
modern technology is the network or interlocking
things standing in reserve. It is the world centered
on man’s caprices and demands
Human Flourishing
The best translation for the Greek word
“Eudaimonia,” which for both Plato and Aristotle,
means not only good fortune and material
prosperity but a situation achieved through virtue,
knowledge, and excellence
The affirmation that human flourishing implies
development of the individual in his intellectual,
affective, moral, and spiritual dimensions obviously
needs elaboration.
Plato in the Republic, contends that the soul, or
mind, has three motivating parts: rational, spirited,
or emotional and appetitive
Aristotle in the Nicomachean Ethics, states that
“Eudaimonia” is constituted not by honor, or wealth
power, but by rational activity in accordance with
excellence in the virtues of character including
courage, honesty, pride, friendliness, and wittiness,
the intellectual virtues notably rationality and
judgment, as well as mutually beneficial
friendships and scientific knowledge, particularly of
things that are fundamental and unchanging
Human Flourishing also known as personal
flourishing. It involves the rational use of one’s
individual potentialities, including talents,
abilities, and virtues in the pursuit of his freely and
rationally chosen values and goals
At the same time, it is a moral accomplishment and
a fulfillment of human capacities, and it is one
through being the other. Self-actualization is moral
growth and vice versa
The idea of human flourishing is inclusive and can
encompass a wide variety of constitutive ends such
as knowledge, the development of character traits,
productive work, religious pursuits, community
building, love, charitable activities, allegiance to
persons and causes, self-efficacy, material well-
being, pleasurable sensation, etc.
Aristotle Schema
In Aristotle’s Schema, there are Four Aspects of
Human Nature
1. Physical Beings we require nourishment,
exercise, rest, and all the other things that it takes
to keep our bodies functioning properly
2. Emotional Beings we have wants, desires,
urges, and reactions. We perceive something in the
world that we want and we have the power of
volition to get it; likewise, we have the power to
avoid the things we don’t want
3. Social Beings we must live and function in
particular societies. Our social nature stacks on top
of our emotional nature, such that we have wants
and needs that we would not have were we not
social creatures
4. Rational Beings we are creative, expressive,
knowledge-seeking and able to obey reason. We
might not always obey reason and we may
sometimes not want to exercise our minds, but a
large part of our existence relates to our being
rational animals
pf3
pf4
pf5

Partial preview of the text

Download Science, Technology, and Society Chapter 4 - 11 and more Lecture notes Earth Sciences in PDF only on Docsity!

Chapter 4

Martin Heidegger and its Essence in

Technology

Martin Heidegger  German Philosopher who wrote an essay “The Question Concerning Technology” – this address modern technology and its essence as an instrumental way of revealing the world.  He goes beyond the traditional view of technology as machines and technical procedures Heidegger’s Understanding of Technology based on its Essence

  1. it is not something we make; it is a mode of being, or of revealing. The essence of technology for Heidegger is not the best or most characteristic instance of technology nor is it a nebulous generality, a form or idea. Rather, to consider technology essentially is to see it as an event to which we belong: thee structuring, ordering, and “requisitioning” of everything around us, and of ourselves
  2. technology even holds sway over beings that we do not normally think as technological, such as gods and history
  3. the essence of technology as Heidegger discusses it is primarily a matter of modern and industrial technology. He is less concerned with the ancient and old tools and techniques that antedate modernity; the essence of technology is revealed in factories and industrial processes, not in hammers and plows
  4. technology is not simply the practical application of science. Instead, modern natural science can understand nature in the characteristically scientific manner only because nature has already, in advance, come to light as a set of calculable, orderable forces – that is to say, technologically Characteristics of Modern Technology as a Revealing Process:
  5. Challenging – things are revealed or brought forth by challenging or demanding them. It is putting to nature the unreasonable demand that it supply energy that can be extracted and stored. Nature reveals itself in modern technology as things of manipulation, as things that yield energy whenever man demands them to do so
  6. Expediting – means to hasten the movement of something. However, in its original sense, expediting is also a process of revealing inasmuch as it “unlocks” and “exposes” something. Things that are revealed in an expedited manner are brought forth as resources that must be used efficiently Other Terms:  Standing in Reserve – things that are revealed in modern technology. Things are not “object”.  Objects – are things that “stand against us” as things with autonomy. They are revealed mainly in human thinking and do not allow further manipulations  Landscape – as a part of nature that is somewhat permanent and stand against us as another entity  Around – it so to say and we only see what we can do to overcome its dominating presence; we do not manipulate it, but rather, we act according to its results  Enframing – is the “essence” of modern technology. It means putting into the frame of modern technology everything in nature. This “frame” of modern technology is the network or interlocking things standing in reserve. It is the world centered on man’s caprices and demands

Human Flourishing

 The best translation for the Greek word “Eudaimonia,” which for both Plato and Aristotle, means not only good fortune and material prosperity but a situation achieved through virtue, knowledge, and excellence  The affirmation that human flourishing implies development of the individual in his intellectual, affective, moral, and spiritual dimensions obviously needs elaboration.  Plato in the Republic, contends that the soul, or mind, has three motivating parts: rational, spirited, or emotional and appetitive  Aristotle in the Nicomachean Ethics, states that “Eudaimonia” is constituted not by honor, or wealth power, but by rational activity in accordance with excellence in the virtues of character including courage, honesty, pride, friendliness, and wittiness , the intellectual virtues notably rationality and judgment, as well as mutually beneficial friendships and scientific knowledge, particularly of things that are fundamental and unchanging  Human Flourishing – also known as personal flourishing. It involves the rational use of one’s individual potentialities, including talents, abilities, and virtues in the pursuit of his freely and rationally chosen values and goals  At the same time, it is a moral accomplishment and a fulfillment of human capacities, and it is one through being the other. Self-actualization is moral growth and vice versa  The idea of human flourishing is inclusive and can encompass a wide variety of constitutive ends such as knowledge, the development of character traits, productive work, religious pursuits, community building, love, charitable activities, allegiance to persons and causes, self-efficacy, material well- being, pleasurable sensation, etc.

Aristotle Schema

In Aristotle’s Schema, there are Four Aspects of Human Nature

  1. Physical Beings – we require nourishment, exercise, rest, and all the other things that it takes to keep our bodies functioning properly
  2. Emotional Beings – we have wants, desires, urges, and reactions. We perceive something in the world that we want and we have the power of volition to get it; likewise, we have the power to avoid the things we don’t want
  3. Social Beings – we must live and function in particular societies. Our social nature stacks on top of our emotional nature, such that we have wants and needs that we would not have were we not social creatures
  4. Rational Beings – we are creative, expressive, knowledge-seeking and able to obey reason. We might not always obey reason and we may sometimes not want to exercise our minds, but a large part of our existence relates to our being rational animals

Chapter 5

Good Life

“Good” – to express moral approval  Living Well or Good Life – mean that they are a good person, someone who is courageous, honest, trustworthy, kind, selfless, generous, helpful, loyal, principled, and so on  Plato , in the Republic, he claims that the morally good person enjoys a sort of inner harmony , whereas the wicked person, no matter how rich and powerful he may be or how many pleasures he enjoys, is disharmonious, fundamentally at odds with himself and his world  Epicurus – what makes life worth living is that we can experience pleasure. The view that pleasure is good, or, that pleasure is what makes life worth living is known as hedonismSocrates – emphasizes virtueAristotle – we all want to be happy. We value many things because they are a means to other things

Ten Golden Rules in Living a Good Life

Michael Soupios and Panos Mourdoukoutas wrote a book entitled “The Ten Golden Rules on Living a Good Life” where they extracted “ancient wisdom from the Greek Philosophers on Living the Good Life” and mapped it into modern times.

  1. Examine life, engage life with a vengeance; always search for new pleasures and new destinies to reach with your mind
  2. Worry only about the things that are in your control, the things that can be influenced and changed by your actions, not about the things that are beyond your capacity to direct or alter
  3. Treasure Friendship, the reciprocal attachment that fills the need for affiliation. Friendship cannot be acquired in the market place, but must be nurtured and treasured in relations imbued with trust and amity
  4. Experience True Pleasure. Avoid shallow and transient pleasures. Keep your life simple. Seek calming pleasures that contribute to peace of mind. True pleasure is disciplined and restrained
  5. Master Yourself. Restrict any external force that might delimit thought and action; stop deceiving yourself, believing only what is personally useful and convenient; complete liberty necessitates a struggle within, a battle to subdue negative psychological and spiritual forces that preclude a healthy existence; self-mastery requires ruthless candor
  6. Avoid Excess. Live life in harmony and balance. Avoid excesses. Even good things, pursued or attained without moderation, can become a source of misery and suffering
  7. Be a Responsible Human Being. Approach yourself with honesty and thoroughness; maintain a kind of spiritual hygiene; stop the blame-shifting for your errors and shortcomings
  8. Don’t Be a Prosperous Fool. Prosperity by itself is not a cure-all against an illed life and may be a source of dangerous foolishness. Money is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the good life, for happiness, and wisdom
  9. Don’t Do Evil to Others. Evildoing is a dangerous habit, a kind of reflex too quickly resorted to and too easily justified that has a lasting and damaging effect upon the quest for the good life. Harming others claims two victims – the receiver of the harm, and the victimizer, the one who does the harm
  10. Kindness towards others tends to be rewarded. Kindness to others is a good habit that supports and reinforces the quest for the good life. Helping others bestows a sense of satisfaction that has two beneficiaries – the beneficiary, the receiver of the help, and the benefactor, the one who provides the help Human Existence:  Existence – inquiries about social ties, consciousness, and happiness  Aristotle – purpose of life is earthly happiness or flourishing that can be achieved via reason and the acquisition of virtue. Each human being should use his abilities to their fullest potential and should obtain happiness and enjoyment through the exercise of their realized capacities  Plato – idealism of believing in the existence of universalis. Universals do not physically exist but as heavenly forms. The meaning of life is in attaining the highest form of knowledge, which is the Idea of the Good, from which all good and just things derive utility and value

Public Good

 Ronaldo Gripaldo argues that the concept of the public good carries largely the politico-ethical sense  Public Good is public in the sense that the beneficiaries are the general public  The government or state pursues it with a service orientation while private corporations pursue it with a profit orientation  Public Good is that which by its use, the communal or national public. This can be perceived in two levels: o The first level comes from the people – they perceive that public good to be beneficial to most if not to all of them o The second level comes from the local or national government – which believes or assumes with the utilitarian perspective that a particular project or service is desired by the populace as necessary for their common welfare

Chapter 6

Laws of Robotics

Isaac 7 Asimov introduced to the world of science of fiction what are known as the Three Laws of Robotics, which were published in his short story “Runaround”.

  1. First, a robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm
  2. Second, a robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict the First Law
  3. Third, a robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First and Second Law

Relationship of Robots to Human or Society

 Robot comes from the Slavic languages word for “work,” which is robota  Leonardo Da Vinci’s journals contained detailed plans for the construction of a humanoid robot which became a milestone in the design and development of humanoid robot

 Printing Press was also a factor in the establishment of a community of scientists who could easily communicate their discoveries through widely disseminated scholarly journals, helping to bring on the scientific revolution. Because of the printing press, authorship became more meaningful and profitable  Gutenberg’s movable type printing press was a disruptive innovation in more ways than one  Printed materials are more accessible, it allowed for the spread of knowledge both within elite communities and also to the rest of the general population Post Gutenberg Period  The sudden widespread dissemination of printed works gave direct rise to the European Renaissance  Reformation that began in Germany in the early 16 th^ century led to the Bible being printed in the languages common to people  Gutenberg’s invention has led to human progress and the advancement of the modern world  At present, people are beginning to look for secure and accurate and believable news portals but, the traditional trusted publishing outlets have less public beliefs as many people believe governments are manipulating them  The local press is in sharp circulation decline, and the online advertising businesses have moved to Google and Facebook which results for newspaper closures and large-scale downsizings and redundancies  Many people now prefer to believe people from their social environment, instead of turning to “the media”  The emergence of the internet and the World Wide Web in the 1900s was initially hailed by many as ushering in new democratic age, driven by much greater access to information  While the internet had a dramatic impact, the revolutionary shifts predicted did not occur because in its earliest days, the World Wide Web still conformed to the Gutenberg principle

Chapter 8

Biodiversity

Bio – means life or living organism  Diversity – means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences  Biodiversity – also know as Biological Diversity, is the variety of life, and refers collectively to variation at all levels of biological organization  It is the foundation of human health  By securing the life-sustaining goods and services which biodiversity provides to us, the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity can provide significant benefits for human health  The continuing loss of biodiversity on a global scale represents a direct threat to our health and well- being  Without a global environment that is healthy and capable of supporting a diversity of life, no human population can exist Biodiversity and Healthy Society

  1. Biodiversity support food security, dietary health, and livelihood sustainability o Genetic diversity in food systems provides the foundation of crop development and food security, and promotes resistance and resilience to environmental stresses o Diets based on a diversity of food species promote health and can help to protect against disease by addressing the problem of micronutrient and vitamin deficiencies o Loss of agricultural biodiversity can threaten health, livelihood sustainability and future security of food and nutrition
  2. Biodiversity provides important resources for medical research o Studies of wildlife anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry can lead to important developments in human medicine
  3. Biodiversity provides important resources for traditional and modern medicines o Biodiversity loss can impact on community traditions and livelihoods centered on traditional medical practices
  4. Biodiversity plays a role in the regulation and control of infectious diseases o Biodiversity loss and ecosystem change can increase the risk of emergence or spread of infectious diseases. o In recent years, outbreaks of SARS, Ebola, Marburg, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Avian Influenza and Malaria have been attributed to human impacts on biodiversity, the wildlife trade, or unsustainable land use change o Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) – is a viral respiratory disease caused by a SARS which Is associated with coronavirus o Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) – is a deadly disease with occasional outbreaks that occur mostly on the African Continent. It most affects people and non-human primates like monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees o Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) – is a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever which affects both people and non-human primates. It is caused by Marburg virus o Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) – is a severe, sometimes fatal, respiratory disease in humans caused by infection with hantavirus. Hantavirus is a family of viruses spread by rodents (mice, rats, squirrels, etc.) o Avian Influenza or Bird Flu – disease caused by infection with avian (bird) which caused by a virus of Orthomyxoviridae family (Influenza) o Malaria – is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans
  5. Biodiversity has social, cultural, and spiritual importance within communities o Ecosystem change can result in disconnection of populations from open spaces or the wider countryside, with negative implications for physical and mental well-being and loss of “sense of place”. o This has been linked to an increased prevalence of “disease of affluence”

(diabetes, obesity, and cardio-pulmonary illness) and psychological disorders in many communities Threats to Biodiversity:

  1. Habitat Loss
  2. Overharvesting
  3. Invasive Species
  4. Climate Change – a major extinction threat, particularly when combined with other threats such as habitat loss

GMO

 An organism whose DNA has been modified in the laboratory in order to favor the expression of desired physiological traits or the production of desired biological products  GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) has become the common term of consumer and popular media use to describe foods that have been created through genetic engineering Intended Uses of GMOs

  1. Biomedical – used as specific models for many different human diseases
  2. Farm/Food Animals – engineering of animals used for food. Example is chicken producing only female offspring for egg laying
  3. Agriculture – genetic engineering provides a quicker and more precise way to achieve the same goal in one generation. Genetically modified crops improved yields, enhanced nutritional value, longer shell life, and resistance to drought, frost, or insect pests Some Genetically Modified Organisms in the Philippines  Longer-lasting Papayas – delayed-ripening papaya that is resistant to ring-spot virus (PRSV)  Protein Enriched Copra Meal (PECM) – used as animal feed which became an important feed resource in the Philippines  Tomato Leaf Curve Virus (ToLCV) resistant Variety – developed tomato breeding line resistant to tomato leaf curl virus in the hope of reviving tomato’s robust production in the country  BT Corn – engineered to be specifically resistant to the Asian Com Borer (ACB), Ostrinia Furnacalis (Guenee), the most devastating corn pests in the industry. It was introduced as a “practical and ecologically sustainable solution” for poor corn farmers, a major bullet to combat poverty and improve livelihood

Benefits and Risk of GMO

Benefits of GMOs  nutritional value of foods can be improved  crops can be produced that lack known allergens  crops can grow in arid conditions for better yield  GM crops can produce herbicides to kill pests  improve food supply / agriculture in poor countries  GM crops may have longer shelf lives  reduces economic costs and carbon footprint – less need for land clearing and pesticide usage Risk of GMOs  new traits could cause adverse health reactions  removal of traits could have unknown effects  crops may limit biodiversity of local environment  cross pollination could lead to ‘super weeds’  patents restrict farmers from accessing GM seeds  foods with GM components may not be labeled  different governments may have conflicting regulatory standards concerning safe usage

Exotic Species and Invasive Species

Exotic Species – are species that have been intentionally or unintentionally introduced by humans into an ecosystem in which they did not evolve  Invasive Species – can threaten other species through competition for resources, predation, or diseases

Chapter 9

Nanotechnology and Important Ideas

NanotechnologyNano – prefix used to represent one billionth. Nano comes from the Greek word for dwarf , so in combination with technology, it becomes dwarf technologyNanotechnology – refers as “tiny tech” or “nanotech” which represents the scaling down of technology to a new scale  working with matter on such a small scale represents a revolution in technology because it materially reveals uniquely novel physical, chemical, and biological properties when compared to their bulk counterpart Application of Nanotechnology in All Fields of Science

  1. Electronics – Single Electron Transistor (SET), Spin Valves, and Magnetic Tunnel Junctions (MTs) are based on nanotechnology. Flat-panel television or computer monitors are products of nanotechnology
  2. Energy – some metal hydride nanoparticles are found to be better options than the conventional materials in improved batteries. Carbon Nanomaterial (CNM) has been used in improving the efficacy of lithium secondary batteries, supercapacitors, and in hydrogen storage
  3. Environments – efficient production of nanomaterials would help to reduce industrial pollution. Efficient nanomaterials may help reduce the price of many products, making them commonly affordable
  4. Automobiles – nanosensors help in assessing emissions from the vehicle and help in controlling pollutants
  5. Agriculture and Food – nanoparticles used as Trojan Horse for delivery of active ingredients. Nanotechnology can play important role in treatment by diagnosing a disease at its very early stage
  6. Industries – are involved in developing and producing nanomaterials to obtain nano- bioproducts of which are part of major industrial production
  7. Textiles – special threads and dyes used in the textile industry are products of nanotechnology
  8. Cosmetics – nanoliposomes are used as vesicular delivery systems
  9. Domestic Appliances – nanoporous aerogel insulator is excellent for insulating walls. Flame- retardant furniture coatings are on the market which are synthesized carbon nanofibers. Fishing rods are made stronger and lighter using silica nanoparticles to fill spaces between carbon fibers.
  10. Diagnostics and Therapeutics – nanomedicine researchers are looking at ways that nanotechnology can improve vaccines. Researchers are working to create a universal vaccine scaffold

rely on others to care for them in disaster situations c. Indigenous People  climate change will make it harder for tribes to access safe and nutritious food  many tribes already lack access to safe drinking water and wastewater treatment in their communities  climate change is expected to increase health risks associated with water quality problem  climate change also threatens the cultural identities of indigenous people as it affects the environment and natural resources of tribal communities  tribal culture and ways of life can be greatly affected, for example plants and animals used in traditional practices or sacred ceremonies become less available d. Urban People  city residents and urban infrastructures have distinct sensitivities to climate change impacts  heat waves may be amplified in cities because they absorb more heat during the day  cities are more densely populated, as a result, increases in heat waves, drought, or violent storms in cities would affect a larger number of people  higher temperatures and more extreme events will likely affect the cost of energy, air and water quality, and human comfort and health in cities  city dwellers may also be susceptible to vulnerabilities in aging infrastructure Other Impacts  communities that developed around the production of different agricultural crops depend on the climate to support their way of life. Climate change will likely cause the ideal climate for these crops to shift. Certain agricultural products may decline dramatically. These crops would then have to be imported  climate change will also affect tourism and recreational activities. o warming climate and changes in precipitation patterns will likely decrease the number of days when recreational snow activities take place o increasing number of wildfires could affect hiking and recreational parks o beaches could suffer erosion due to sea level rise and storm surge o changes in migration patterns of fish and animals would affect fishing and hunting Greenhouse Effect and Greenhouse Gases Greenhouse Effect  the higher the proportion of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the more radiation is absorbed. This cause a rise in the temperature of the Earth and is known as the Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse Gases  Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), and Water Vapour (H2O) are greenhouse gases that are found in the atmosphere  Greenhouse gas molecules absorb some of the energy, trapping it in the atmosphere