San Jose Community College

San Jose, Malilipot, Albay

Subject: GE 7
Description: Science, Technology and Society
Instructor: Salvacion Magayanes Majadillas
School Year: 2020-2021
Term: Second Semester
Target Learners: BSED I
Topic: Human Flourishing
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Human Flourishing

Learning Outcomes:
 Identify different conceptions of human flourishing.
 Determine the development of the scientific method and validity of science

Eudaimonia, literally “good spirited”, is a term coined by renowned Greek

philosopher Aristotle (385-323 BC) to describe the pinnacle of happiness that is
attainable by humans. This has often been translated into “human flourishing” in
literature, arguably likening humans to flowers achieving their full bloom. As discussed
in the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotles’s human flourishing arises as a result of different
components such as phronesis, friendship, wealth, and power. In the ancient Greek
society, they believe that acquiring these qualities surely bring the seekers happiness,
which in effect allows them to partake in the greater notion of what we call the Good.
As time change, elements that comprise human flourishing changed, which are
subject to the dynamic social history as written by humans. People found means of to
live more comfortably, explore more places, develop more products, and make more
money, and then repeating the process in full circle. In the beginning, early people relied
on simple machines to make hunting and gathering easier. This development allowed
them to make grander and more sophisticated machines to aid them in their endeavours
that eventually led to space explorations, medicine innovations, and ventures of life after
death. Our concept of human flourishing today proves to be different from what Aristotle
originally perceived then- humans of today are expected to become a “man of the
world”. He is supposed to situate himself in a global neighbourhood, working side by
side among institutions and the government to be able to reach a common goal.
Competition as a means of survival has become passé, coordination in the new trend.
Science, Technology, and Human Flourishing
Every discovery, innovation, and success in science and technology contributes
to our pool of human knowledge. Perhaps, one of the most prevalent themes is human’s
perpetual need to locate himself in the world by finding proofs to trace evolution. The
business of uncovering the secrets of the universe answers the question of our
existence and provides us something to look forward to. Having a particular role, which
is uniquely ours, elicits our ideas of self- importance. It is in this regard that human
flourishing is deeply intertwined with goal setting relevant to science and technology. In
this case, the latter is relevant as a tool in achieving the former or echoing Heidegger’s
statement, technology is a human activity that we excel in as a result of achieving
science. Suffice to say that the end goals of science and technology and human
flourishing are related , in that the good is inherently related to the truth.
Science as a Method and Results
Scientific method is an empirical method of acquiring knowledge that has
characterized the development of science since at least the 17th century. It presents a
general idea of how to do science.
1. Observe and determine if there are unexplained occurrences unfolding.
2. Determine the problem and identify factors involved.
3. Through past knowledge of similar instance, formulate hypothesis that could explain
the said phenomenon. Ideally, the goal is to reject the null hypothesis and accept the
alternative hypothesis for the study “to count as significant”.
4. Conduct experiment by setting up dependent and independent variables, and trying
to see how independent ones affect dependent ones.
5. Gather and analyze results throughout and upon culmination of the experiment.
Examine if the data gathered are significant enough to conclude results.
6. Formulate conclusion and provide recommendation in case others would want to
broaden the study.
Verification Theory
 proposes that a discipline is science if it can be confirmed or interpreted in the
event of an alternative hypothesis being accepted
 gives premium to empiricism and only takes into account those results which are
measurable and experiments which are repeatable
Falsification Theory
 asserts that as long as an ideology is not proven to be false and can best explain
a phenomenon over alternative theories, we should accept the said theory
 is a way of demarcating science from non-science. It suggests that for a theory to be
considered scientific it must be able to be tested and conceivably proven false.
Science as a Social Endeavor
 Several philosophers such as Paul Thagard, Imre Lakatos, Helen Longino, David
Bloor, and Richard Rorty, among others, presented an alternative demarcation that
explores the social dimension of science and effectively, technology. Sciences cease to
belong solely to gown-wearing, bespectacled scientists at laboratories. The new view
perpetuates a dimension which generally benefits the society. For instance, far-off
places in South America where many of the tribes remain uncontacted, do not regard
western science as their science. Whatever their science is, it can be ascertained that it
is no way inferior to that of globalized people’s science. Thus, it presents an alternative
notion that goes beyond the boundaries of the cold, hard facts of science and instead
projects it in a different light, such as a manifestation of shared experience forging
solidarity over communities.
Science and Results
For the most part, people do not understand science are won over when the
discipline is able to produce results. Similar to when Jesus performed miracles and
garnered followers, people are sold over the capacity of science to do stuff they can not
fully comprehend. In this particular argument, however, science is not the only discipline
which is able to produce results- religion, luck, and human randomness are some of its
contemporaries in the field. For some communities without access to science, they can
turn to divination and superstition and still get the same results. Science is not entirely
foolproof, such that it is correct 100% of the time. Weather reports, for one, illustrate
fallibility and limitations of their scope, as well as their inability to predict disasters. The
best that can be done during an upcoming disaster is to reinforce materials to be more
calamity proof and restore the area upon impact. It can be then concluded that science
does not monopolize the claim for definite results.
Science as Education
Aforementioned discussion notes that there is such thing as a singular scientific
method, offering instead a variety of procedures that scientists can experiment with to
get results and call them science. Discoveries in physics, specifically in quantum
mechanics, appeared to have debunked the idea of objectivity in reality, subscribing
instead to alternative idea called intersubjectivity. With objectivity gone, it has lost its
number one credence. Nevertheless, there still exists a repressing concept that comes
about as a result of unjustified irreverence of science- our preference of science-
inclined students over those which are less adept.

Summary
Human flourishing is defined as being “good spirited” in the classical Aristotelian
notion. Humans generally have a notion on what it means to flourish; albeit in the
advent of science and technology, they choose to hinge their ends alongside the latter’s
results. While it is true that science equips its knowers some details about the world, its
main claim to objectivity and systematic methodology is at the very least flawed.
However, that does not stop institutions to favor those who excel in said discipline.
Finally, the economic perception of enrichment, otherwise known as growth, is heavily
fueled by technology and should be impeded. We have to rethink of our perception of a
good life apart from one presented in this regard.

TASK:
1. State the contributions of the following in our scientific development:
a. Gravity
b. Telescope
c. Processed Food
d. Microscope
e. Radio
f. Guns
g. Internet
h. Cell phones
2. What do you think constitutes human flourishing?
3. Is science and technology a result of the human flourishing or a means towards
human flourishing? Why?

References:
1. Science, Technology and Society by Kathryn Idrisha K. Aldea et.al.
2. Science, Technology and Society by Janice Patria Javier Serafica et. al.
3. https://open.lib.umn.edu/evolutionbiology/chapter/science-is-a-social-endeavor/
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method
5. https://www.simplypsychology.org/Karl-Popper.html#:~:text=The%20Falsification
%20Principle%2C%20proposed%20by,by%20observing%20a%20black%20swan.