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STS Notes

This document provides an overview of key concepts related to science, technology, and society (STS). It discusses how STS examines the relationship between scientific/technological development and social/cultural factors. Specific perspectives covered include technological determinism, which views technology as the main driver of societal change, and social construction of technology, which argues that technology and society influence each other. The document also summarizes philosophical definitions of technology and anthropological approaches like cultural ecology that view technology as adaptations to the environment.

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Shania Angela Moya
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120 views3 pages

STS Notes

This document provides an overview of key concepts related to science, technology, and society (STS). It discusses how STS examines the relationship between scientific/technological development and social/cultural factors. Specific perspectives covered include technological determinism, which views technology as the main driver of societal change, and social construction of technology, which argues that technology and society influence each other. The document also summarizes philosophical definitions of technology and anthropological approaches like cultural ecology that view technology as adaptations to the environment.

Uploaded by

Shania Angela Moya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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STS Notes

Chapter 1
Society- refers to a group of people who are relatively self-sufficient and who share a common territory
and culture.

Culture- refers to that people’s traditions, customs, and behaviors. It includes ideas, values and artifacts.

Science- any system of knowledge that is concerned with the physical world and its phenomena and
that entails unbiased observations and systematic experimentation.

Technology- is science or knowledge put into practical use to solve problems or invent useful tools
through harnessing such resources to respond to society’s needs.

STS- an interdisciplinary field that studies the conditions under which the production, distribution and
utilization of scientific knowledge and technological systems occur; the consequences of these activities
upon different groups of people.

Symbolic interactionism- Social interactions using symbols. Symbols have meanings for people in society
based on their culture.

Structural functionalism- focuses on the interconnection between systems in society which have
functions that maintain the functioning of the whole society.

Conflict analysis- focuses on the unequal relationships among groups or categories of people to explain
what is happening in the society.

Specific views on relationship between science and technology with society and culture:

 Technological Somnambolism- technology is considered neutral in moral and ethical sense –


neither is technology good or bad.
 Technological Determinism- technology is viewed as the main determinant of a society’s history
and the driving force of its culture. This view posits that the introduction of newer technologies
leads to changes in society and culture which may lead to existing knowledge and technologies
as well.
 Social Constructions of Technology (SCOT)- argues that technology and society negotiate the
meaning of new technologies; then make changes to technology through resistance; and lastly,
construct social and technological frameworks, actions and practices.
Chapter 2

Environment and Society - Ecosystems provide services that are important to human existence on a
daily basis. Ecosystems services included the following benefits to mankind: natural production of food
control of climate, support in terms of cycles and recreational benefits. We may not know it or take it for
granted but ecosystem services are fundamental to our existence.

Food Technology - Initially, food technologies were developed only for survival. Food technologies have
also led to the discovery of new products and new applications for the same ingredients. The diversity of
processed food we eat today is thus a reflection of our human desire to be in control and be on the top
of the food chain.

Household Chemistry - This section explores the chemistry of the substances used in every household. It
is with chemistry that one understands the basic properties of the chemicals inside every household and
learns how to predict, explain how chemicals change as they react to form new substances.
Understanding the chemistry of household chemicals enhances our awareness of household chemical
safety and precaution.

Simple Machines- This section shall focus on the simple machines that human societies commonly
utilize in their daily lives in various arenas of social life. We may ignore these simple implements and
tools, but these are the common technologies we use every day.

Examples of simple machines: pulley, inclined plane, wedge, lever, wheel and axle, screw.

Information and Communication - Before the emerging of the infectious disease (COVID-19)
communication and information exchange are done mostly on face-to-face. Through the development
of information and communication technologies we can now reach our family and friends faster and
reach vast distances. The rapid growth and development of information and communication
technologies has resulted to dependence of society on such technologies.
Chapter 3

Philosophical and Anthropological Definition of Technology

a. means to an end- refers to how tools, equipment, and facilities were used by humans to achieve what
one wants. 
b. instrumental approach- technology itself is a contrivance.
anthropological approach- it is a means and a human activity.

enframing- way of revealing which holds sway in the essence of modern technology and which is itself
nothing technological.

poeisis (bringing forth)- in which humans only give form to what already exists without disruption
and control.

physis (bringing forth in itself)- emergence in itself.

bringing forth in another-a bringing forth that is not a sudden emergence in itself, but it is an
emergence that require the play of four causes, specifically the carpenter for the case of our wooden
chair.

challenging forth- where humans control the productive process.

c. Cultural ecology- adaptations of human societies to their environment are mainly technological. mean
that the tools utilized by humans within a given environment is the means by which they interact with
nature from which they acquire resources in order to survive.

Cultural relativism- Culture should be based on its context and how it functions for the society during
the specific period of time or a specific place.

Cultural evolution- culture is a kind of behavior which is a manifestation of energy. the purpose of
culture is to serve human needs.

Sociotechnical system- emphasizes the sociality of human technological activity. It integrates


anthropological findings regarding pre-industrial societies into a holistic framework of the universality of
human technology and material culture.

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