Module 4 STS
Module 4 STS
Overview
This module introduces students to a number of relevant and timely philosophical foundations that
will aid in examining the functions, roles, and impacts of science and technology on society. The module is
divided into five lessons. These lessons aim to provide students with cogent and comprehensive
knowledge on the concept of human flourishing in the face of rapid scientific progress and technological
development.
Lesson Objectives
Motivation/Take-Off
Activity 1
Instructions: Rate the extent of your agreement to the following statements using the Osgood scale. You
are also given space to write any comment to further clarify your response.
Heidegger. Alternatively, it can be accessed in this link: https://www.youtube.com.
Statements Agree Disagree Comments (if any)
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Technology is a means to an end.
Technology is a human activity.
Poetry is technology.
Nature is a standing reserve.
Man is an instrument of the exploitation
of nature.
Man is in danger of being swallowed by
technology.
There is a saving power or a way out of
the danger of technology.
Art may be the saving power.
Heidegger's work on philosophy focused on ontology or the study of “being” or dasein in German.
His philosophical works are often described as complicated, partly due to his use of complex compound
German words, such as Seinsvergessenheit (Forgetfulness of Being), Bodenstandigkeit (Rootedness-in-
Soil), and Wesensverfassung (Essential Constitution).
To know more about the life and philosophy of Heidegger, watch a five-minute YouTube video
entitled, The Philosophy of Martin Heiddeger which can be accessed on this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br1sGrA7XTU.
It cannot be denied that science and technology are responsible for the ways society is
continuously being modernized. Science and technology continuously seep into the way people go about
their daily lives. However, the omnipresence of science and technology must not eclipse the basic tenets of
ethics and morality. Instead, it should allow the human person to flourish alongside scientific progress a
technological development. In order to spark the discussion on the role of ethics and social morality in
science and technology, it is necessary to go back to the very essence of technology, i.e, its definition.
The essence of technology can be captured in its definition. In his treatise, The Question
Concerning Technology, Martin Heidegger (1977) explains the two widely embraced definitions of
technology (1) instrumental and (2) anthropological.
Both definitions, i.e., instrumental and anthropological, are correct. However, neither touches on
the true essence of technology.
Heidegger stressed that the true can only be pursued through the correct. Simply, what is a
correct lead to what is true. In this sense, Heidegger envisioned technology as a way of revealing-a mode
of bringing forth. Bringing forth can be understood through the Ancient Greek philosophical concept,
“poiesis”, which refers to the act of bringing something out of concealment. By bringing something out of
concealment, the truth of that something is revealed. The truth is understood through another Ancient
Greek concept of “aletheia”, which is translated as unclosedness, unconcealedness, disclosure, or truth.
Thus, for Heidegger, technology is a form of poeisis-a way of revealing that unconceals aletheria
or the truth. This is seen in the way the term techne, the Greek root word of technology, is understood in
different contexts. In philosophy, techne resembles the term episteme that refers to the human ability to
make and perform. Techne also encompasses knowledge and understanding. In art, it refers to tangible
and intangible aspects of life. The Greeks understood techne in the way that it encompasses not only craft,
but other acts of the mind, and poetry.
Heidegger, in The Question Concerning Technology, posited that both primitive crafts and
modern technology are revealing. However, he explained that modern technology is revealing not in the
sense of bringing forth or poeisis Heidegger made a clear distinction between technology and modern
technology in that the latter 'challenges' nature. Modern technology challenges nature by extracting
something from it and transforming, storing, and distributing it.
On the surface, Heidegger's criticism of modern technology might appear counterintuitive to the
purpose of nature to human existence. However, by digging deeper into Heidegger's question, it becomes
clear that the essence of modern technology is not to bring forth in the sense of poiesis. Instead,
Heidegger considers modern technology's way of revealing as a way of challenging forth. Modern
technology challenges forth, because it makes people think how to do things faster, more effectively, and
with less effort. It prompts people into dominating and enframing the earth's natural resources Challenging
forth reduces objects as standing reserve or something to be disposed of by those who enframe them-
humans. This is evident in the way people exploit natural resources with very little concern for the
ecological consequences that come with it. Challenging forth as a result of modern technology is also
evident in the information age such that greater control of information to profit from its value gives rise to
concerns about privacy and the protection of human rights.
The challenging forth of modern technology is seen everywhere in the rise and depletion of
petroleum as a strategic resource; the introduction and use of synthetic dyes, artificial flavorings, and toxic
materials into the consumer stream that bring about adverse effects an human health; and the use of
ripening agents in agriculture that poses threats to food safety and health security.
The Brazilian novelist, Paulo Coelho, once remarked that it is boastful for humans to think that
nature needs to be saved, whereas Mother Nature would remain even if humans cease to exist. Hence, in
facing the dangers of technology, the fear of disappearing from the face of the Earth should concern people
more potently than the fear of the Earth disappearing. As mere tenants on Earth, people must not allow
themselves to be consumed by technology lest they lose the essence of who they are as human beings. In
Recognizing its dangers of technology requires critical and reflective thinking on its use. For
example, social media has indeed connected people in the most efficient and convenient way imaginable,
but it also inadvertently gave rise to issues such as invasion of privacy, online disinhibition, and proliferation
of fake news. The line has to be drawn between what constitutes a beneficial use of social media and a
dangerous one. As exemplified, social media comes with both benefits and drawbacks.
However, the real threat of technology comes from its essence, not its activities or products. The
correct response to the danger of technology is not simply dismissing technology altogether. Heidegger
(1977) explained that people are delivered over to technology in the worst possible way when they regard it
as something neutral. This conception of technology, according to Heidegger, to which today humans
particularly like to pay homage, makes them utterly blind to the essence of technology. Ultimately, the
essence of technology is by no means anything technological (Heidegger, 1977).
The closer we come to the danger, the more brightly do the ways into the saving power begin to
shine and the more questioning we become. For questioning is the piety of thought (1977, p. 19).
Heidegger underscored the importance of questioning in the midst of technology. For him, there is
unparalleled wisdom gained only when humans are able to pause, think, and question what is around them.
Humans are consumed by technology when they are caught up in enframing and fail to pay attention to the
intricacies of technology, the brilliance of the purpose of humankind, and the genius of humans to bring
forth the truth.
Questioning is the piety of thought. It is only through questioning that humans are able to reassess
their position not only in the midst of technology around them, but also, and most importantly, in the grand
scheme of things. Heidegger posited that it is through questioning that humans bear witness to the crises
that a complete preoccupation with technology brings, preventing them from experiencing the essence of
technology
Thus, humans need to take a step back and reassess who they were, who they are, and who they
are becoming in the midst of technology in this day and age.
Instructions: Read the article below. After reading, work with a partner and answer the questions that
follow. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
WASHINGTON DC, USA - Facebook said Wednesday, April 4, the personal data of up to 87
million users was improperly shared with British political consultancy Cambridge Analytica, as Mark
Zuckerberg defended his leadership at the huge social network.
Facebook's estimate was far higher than news reports suggesting 50 million users may have been
affected in the privacy scandal which has roiled the company and sparked questions for the entire internet
sector on data protection.
Zuckerberg told reporters on a conference call he accepted responsibility for the failure to protect
user data but maintained that he was still the best person to lead the network of two billion users.
"I think life is about learning from the mistakes and figuring out how to move forward," he said in
response to a question on his ability to lead the company.
"When you're building something like Facebook which is unprecedented in the world, there are
things that you're going to mess up... What I think people should hold us accountable for is if we are
learning from our mistakes." Zuckerberg said 87 million was a high estimate of those affected by the
breach, based on the maximum number of connections to Users who downloaded an academic
researcher's quiz that scooped up personal profiles.
I'm quite confident it will not be more than 87 million, it could well be less," he said.
To remedy the problem, Zackerberg said Facebook must "rethink our relationship with people
across everything we do" and that it will take a number of years to regain user trust.
The new estimate came as Facebook unveiled clearer terms of service to enable users to better
understand data sharing and as a congressional panel said Zuckerberg would aPpear next week to
address privacy issues. Facebook has been scrambling for weeks in the face of the disclosures on
hijacking of private data by the consulting group working for Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.
The British firm responded to the Facebook announcement by repeating its claim that it did not use
data from the social etwork in the 2016 election.
Cambridge Analytica did not use GSR (Global Science Research Facebook data or any derivatives
of this data in the US presidential election," the company said in a tweet. "Cambridge Analytica licensed
data from GSR for 30 million individuals, not 87 million.
Facebook's chief technology officer Mike Schroepfer meanwhile said new privacy tools for users of
the huge social network would be in place by next Monday, April 9.
"People will also be able to remove apps that they no longer want. As part of this process we will
also tell people if their information may have been improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica," he said in
a statement.
Schroepfer's post was the first to cite the figure of 87 million while noting that most of those
affected were in the United States.
Earlier Wednesday, the House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee announced
what appeared to be the first congressional appearance by Zuckerberg since the scandal broke.
The April 11 hearing will "be an important opportunity to shed light on critical consumer data
privacy issues and help all Americans better understand what happens to their personal information online,
said the committee's Republican chairman Greg Walden and ranking Democrat Frank Pallone in a
statement
The Facebook co-founder is also invited to other hearings amid a broad probe on both sides of the
Atlantic.
Zauckerberg told the conference call he was committed to ensuring that Facebook and its partners
do a better job of protecting user data, and that it must take a more serious approach after years of being
idealistic" about how the platform is used.
"We didn't take a broad enough view on what our responsibility is, and that was a huge mistake. It
was my mistake.
He said that while "there are billions of people who love the service, there is also a potential for
abuse and manipulation.
"It's not enough just to give people a voice," he said. "We have to make sure people don't use that
voice to hurt people or spread disinformation."
Late Tuesday, April 3, Facebook said it deleted dozens of accounts linked to a Russian-sponsored
internet unit which has been accused of spreading propaganda and other divisive content in the United
States and elsewhere.
The social networking giant said it revoked the accounts of 70 Facebook and 65 Instagram
accounts, and removed 138 Facebook pages controlled by the Russia-based Internet Research Agency
(IRA). The agency has been called a "troll farm" due to its deceptive post aimed at sowing discord and
propagating misinformation.
The unit "has repeatedly used complex networks of inauthentic accounts to deceive and
manipulate people who use Facebook, including before, during and after the 2016 US presidential
elections," Said a statement Facebook chief security officer Alex Stamos Rappler.com
Source: Agence France-Presse. (2018, April 5). Facebook says 87 million may be affected by data privacy
scandal. Rappler. Retrieved on April 24, 2018 from
https://www.rappler.com/technology/news/199588tacebook-data-affected-cambridgeanalytica-scandal
Questions:
Overview
Lesson Objectives
At the end of this unit, the students should be able to:
1. Discuss human flourishing in the context of progress in science and technology:
2. Explain de-development as a progress and development framework; and
3. Differentiate between traditional frameworks of progress and development and Hickel's
concept of de-development.
Motivation / Take-Off:
Activity 1
Instructions: Examine the picture and follow the prompt that follows:
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.bworldonline.com%2Fwp-
content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F05%2FManufacturing-factory-worker-
070518.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fwww.bworldonline.com%2Ffactory-output-growth-eases-but-remains-
robustinmay%2F&tbnid=BZbXjsZJcsZnlM&vet=1&docid=GKwVV7BejVAx9M&w=1024&h=600&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim
Recent researches found that 70% of people in middle- and high-income countries believe that
overconsumption is putting the planet and society at risk. Form groups with three members each and
discuss your thoughts about the following:
1. How do you think overconsumption puts the planet and society at risk?
2. What are the manifestations of society's tendency to overproduce and overconsume?
3. Should middle- and high-income countries regulate their growth and consumption? Why or why
not?
Thoughts to Ponder
Despite efforts to close out the gap between the rich and poor countries, a BBC report in 2015
stated that the gap in growth and development just keeps on widening. Although there is no standard
measure of inequality, the report claimed that most indicators suggest that the widening of the growth gap
slowed during the financial crisis of 2007 but is now growing again. The increasing inequality appears
paradoxical having in mind the efforts that had been poured onto the development programs designed to
assist poor countries to rise from absent to slow progress.
With this backdrop and in the context of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement
and economic development, humans must ask themselves whether they are indeed flourishing, individually
or collectively. If development efforts to close out the gap between the rich and poor countries have failed,
is it possible to confront the challenges of development through a nonconformist framework?
This week, heads of state are gathering in New York to sign the UN's new sustainable
development goals (SDGs). The main objective is to eradicate poverty by 2030. Beyoncé, One Direction
and Malala are on board. It's set to be a monumental international celebration.
Given all the fanfare, one might think the SDGs are about to offer a fresh plan for how to save the
world, but beneath all the hype, it's business as usual. The main strategy for eradicating poverty is the
same: growth.
Growth has been the main object of development for the past 70 years, despite the fact that it's not
working, Since 1980, the global economy has grown by 380o, but the number of people living in poverty on
less than $5 (C3.20) a day has increased by more than 1.1 billion. That's 17 times the population of Britain.
So much for the trickle-down elfect.
Orthodox economists insist that all we need is yet more growth. More progressive types tell us that
we need to shift some of the yields of growth from the richer segments of the population to the poorer ones,
evening things out a bit. Neither approach is adequate. Why? Because even at current levels of average
global consumption, we're Overshooting our planet's biocapacity by more than 50% each year.
In other words, growth isn't an option any more-we've already grown too much. Scientists are now
telling us that we're blowing past planetary boundaries at breakneck speed. And the hard truth is that this
global crisis is due almost entirely to overconsumption in rich countries.
Right now, our planet only has enough resources for each of us to consume 1.8 "global hectares"
annually -a standardised unit that measures resource use and waste. This hgure is roughly what the
average person in Ghana or Guatemala consumes. By contrast, people n the US and Canada consume
about 8 hectares per person, while opeans consume 4.7 hectares-many times their fair share
What does this mean for our theory of development? Economist Peter Edward argues that instead
of pushing poorer countries to catch up" with rich ones, we should be thinking of ways to get rich countries
to "catch down" to more appropriate levels of development. We should look at societies where people live
long and happy lives at relatively low levels of income and consumption not as basket cases that need to
be developed towards western models, but as exemplars of efficient living.
How much do we really need to live long and happy lives? In the US, life expectancy is 79 years
and GDP per capita is $53,000. But many countries have achieved similar life expectancy with a mere
fraction of this income. Cuba has a comparable life expectancy to the US and one of the highest literacy
rates in the world with GDP per capita of only $6,000 and consumption of only 1.9 hectares- right at the
threshold of ecological sustainability. Similar claims can be made of Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua
and Tunisia.
Yes, some of the excess income and consumption we see in the rich world yield improvements in
quality of life that are not captured by life expectancy, or even literacy rates. But even if we look at
measures of overall happiness and wellbeing in addition to life expectancy, a number of low and middle-
income countries rank highly. Costa Rica manages to sustain one of the highest happiness indicators and
life expectancies in the world with a per capita income one-fourth that of the US.
In light of this, perhaps we should regard such countries not as underdeveloped, but rather as
appropriately developed. And maybe we need to start calling on rich countries to justify their excesses.
The problem is that the pundits promoting this kind of transition are using the wrong language.
They use terms such as de-growth, zero growth or - worst of all-de-development, which are technically
accurate but off putting for anyone who's not already on board. Such terms are repulsive because they run
against the deepest frames we use to think about human progress, and, indeed, the purpose of life itself. t's
like asking people to stop moving positively through life, to stop learning, improving, growing
Negative formulations won't get us anywhere. The idea of steady-state economics is a step in the
right direction and is growing in popularity, but it still doesn't get the framing right. We need to reorient
ourselves toward a positive future, a truer form of progress. One that is geared toward quality instead of
quantity. One that is more sophisticated than just accumulating ever increasing amounts of stuft, which
doesn't make anyone happier anyway. What is certain is that GDP as a measure is not going to get us
there and we need to get rid of it.
Perhaps we might take a cue from Latin Americans, who are organising alternative visions around
the indigenous concept of buen vivir, or good living. The west has its own tradition of reflection on the
good life and it's time we revive it. Robert and Edward Skidelsky take us down this road in his book, How
Much is Enough ?, where they lay out the possibility of interventions such as banning advertising, a
shorter working week and a basic income, all of which would improve our lives while reducing consumption.
Either we slow down voluntarily or climate change will do it for us. We can't go on ignoring the laws of
nature, But rethinking our theory of progress is not only an ecological imperative, it is also a development
one. If we do not act soon, all our hard-won gains against poverty will evaporate, as food systems collapse
and mass famine re- emerges to an extent not seen since the 19th century.
This is not about giving anything up. And it's certainly not about living a life of voluntary misery or
mposing harsh limits on human potential. On the contrary, it's about reaching a higher level of
understanding and consciousness about what we're doing here and why.
Source: Hickel, (2015, Sep 23). Forget 'developing' poor countries, it's time to de develop' rich countries.
The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardiancom/global-
developmentprofessionalsnetwork/2015/sep/23/developing-poorcountries-de-developrich-countries-sdgs.
Overview
This lesson introduces concepts from Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics and examines issues in
contemporary science and technology using the same philosophical lens. It tackles the important
Aristotelian concepts of endaimonia and arete, and how these can be used to assess one's relationship
and dealings with science and technology. As such, the lesson also aims to answer the question, "Are we
living the good life?”
Lesson Objectives
At the end of this section, the students should be able to:
1. Define the idea of the good life;
2. Discuss Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia and arète; and
3. Examine contemporary issues and come up with innovative and creative solutions to
contemporary issues guided by ethical standards leading to a good life.
Are we living the good life? This question is inarguably one universal human concern. Everyone
aims to lead a good life. Yet, what constitutes a happy and contented life varies from person to person.
Unique backgrounds, experiences, social contexts, and even preferences make it difficult to subscribe to a
unified standard on which to tease out the meaning of the good life. Thus, the prospect of a standard of the
good life-one that resonates across unique human experiences-is inviting
To answer the question, "Are we living the good life?," necessary reflection must be made on two
things: first, what standard could be used to define "the good life?" Second, how can the standard serve as
a guide toward living the good life in the midst of scientific progress and technological advancement?
In the documentary film, The Magician's Twin: C. S. Lewis and the Case Against Scientism, C. S.
Lewis posited that "science must be guided by some ethical basis that is not dictated by science itself." One
such ethical basis is Aristotle's Nichamachean Ethics.
Aristotle, who lived from 384 to 322 BC, is probably the most important ancient Greek philosopher
and scientist. He was a student of Plato, who was then a student of Socrates. Together, they were
considered the 'Big Three of Greek Philosophy, Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, the fundamental basis o
Aristotelian ethics, consists of ten books. Originally, they were lecture notes written on scrolls when he
taught at the Lyceum. It is widely believed that the lecture notes were compiled by or were dedicated one of
Aristotle's sons, Nichomacus. Alternatively, it is believed that the work was dedicated to Aristotle's father
who was of the same name.
The Nichomachean Ethics, abbreviated as NE or sometimes EN based on the Latin vesion of the
name, is a treatise on the natured moral life and human happiness based on the unique essence of human
nature. The NE is particularly useful in defining what the good life is.
Everyone has a definition of what good is-getting a college degree, traveling acrOss the world,
succeeding in a business venture, pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle, or being a responsible parent.
However, although everyone aims to achieve that which is good, Aristotle posited two types of good. In NE
Book 2 Chapter 2, NE 2:2), Aristotle explained that every action aims at some good. However, some
actions aim at an instrumental good while some aim at an intrinsic good. He made it clear that the ultimate
good is better than the instrumental good for the latter is good as a means to achieving something else or
some other end while the learner is good in itself.
One might think that pleasure is the ultimate good. One aims for pleasure in the food they eat or in
the experiences they immerse themselves into. Yet, while pleasure is an important human need, it cannot
be the ultimate good. First, it is transitory-it passes. One may have been pleased with the food they had for
Others might think that wealth is a potential candidate for the ultimate good, but a critique of
wealth would prove otherwise. Indeed, many, if not most, aim to be financially stable, to be rich, or to be
able to afford a luxurious life. However, it is very common to hear people say that they aim to be wealthy
insofar as it would help them achieve some other goals. Elsewhere, it is also common to hear stories about
people who have become very wealthy but remain, by and large, unhappy with the lives they lead. In this
sense, wealth is just an intermediate good-that is, only instrumental. It is not the ultimate good because it is
not self-sufficient and does not stop one from aiming for some other 'greater good.
Another candidate for the ultimate good is fame and honor. Many people today seem to be
motivated by a desire to be known-to be famous. Others strive for honor and recognition. This is reflected
by those people who use social media to acquire large virtual following on the internet and wish to gain a
foothold on the benefits that fame brings. Many people act according to how they think they will be admired
and appreciated by other people. However, these cannot constitute the ultimate good, simply because they
are based on the perception of others. Fame and honor can never be good in themselves. If one's definition
of the good life is being popular or respected, then the good life becomes ełusive since it is based on the
subjective views of others.
Unlike pleasure, wealth, fame, and honor, happiness is the ultimate good. In the Aristotelian sense,
happiness is "living well and doing well" (NE 1:4). Among the Greeks, this is known as eudaimonia, from
the root words eu, meaning good, and daimon, meaning spirit. Combining the root words, cudaimonia
means happiness or welfare. More accurately, others translate it as human flourishing or prosperity
Aristotle proposed two hallmarks of eudaimonia, namely virtue and excellence (NE 1:7). Thus, happiness in
the sense of eudaimonia has to be distinguished from merely living good. Eudaimonia transcends all
aspects of life for it is about living well and doing well in whatever one does.
Arête, a Greek term, is defined as "excellence of any kind" and can also mean "moral virtue." A
virtue is what makes one function well Aristotle suggested two types of virtue: intellectual virtue and moral
virtue.
Intellectual virtue or virtue of thought is achieved through education, time, and experience. Key
intellectual virtues are wisdom, which guides ethical behavior, and understanding, which is gained from
scientific endeavors and contemplation. Wisdom and understanding achieved through formal and non-
formal means. Intellectual virtues are acquired through self-taught knowledge and skills as much those
knowledge and skills taught and learned in formal institutions.
Moral virtue or virtue of character is achieved through habitual practice. Some key moral values are
generosity, temperance, and courage. Aristotle explained that although the capacity for intellectual virtue is
innate, it is brought into contemplation only by practice. It is by repeatedly being unselfish that one
develops the virtue of generosity. It is repeatedly resisting and foregoing every inviting opportunity one
develops the virtue of temperance. It is by repeatedly exhibiting the proper action and emotional response
in the face of danger that one develops the virtue of courage. By and large, moral virtue is like a skill. A skill
is acquired only through repeated practice. Everyone is capable of learning how to play the guitar because
everyone has an innate capacity for intellectual virtue, but not everyone acquires it because only those who
devote time and practice develop the skill of playing the instrument.
If one learns that eating to0 much fatty foods is bad for the health, he or she has to make it a habit
to stay away from this type of food because health contributes to living well and doing well. If one believes
that too much use of social media is detrimental to human relationships and productivity, he or she must
regulate his or her use of social media and deliberately spend more time with friends, and family, and work
than in virtual platform. If one understands the enormous damage to the environment that plastic materials
bring, he or she must repeatedly forego the next plastic item he or she could do away with. Good
relationship dynamics and a healthy environment contribute to one's wellness, in how he or she lives and
what he or she does.
Both intellectual virtue and moral virtue should be in accordance with reason to achieve
eudaimonia. Indifference with these virtues, for reasons that are only for one's convenience, pleasure, or
satisfaction, leads humans away from eudaimonia.
A virtue is ruined by any excess and deficiency in how one lives and acts. A balance between two
extremes is a requisite of virtue. This balance is a mean of excess not in the sense of a geometric or
arithmetic average. Instead, it is a mean relative to the person, circumstances, and the right emotional
response in every experience (NE2:2; 2:6).
Consider the virtue of courage. Courage was earlier defined as displaying the right action and
emotional response in the face of danger. The virtue of courage is ruined by an excess of the needed
emotional and proper action to address a particular situation. A person who does not properly assess the
danger and is totally without fear may develop the vice of foolhardiness or rashness. Also, courage is
ruined by a deficiency of the needed emotion and proper action. When one overthinks of a looming danger,
that he or she becomes too fearful and incapable of acting on the problem, he or she develops the vice of
cowardice.
Overview
Human rights in the face of scientific and technological advancement are critical factors in one's
journey toward eudimonia the good life. Exercising the right to accept or reject, minimize or maximize, and
evaluate and decide on the scope and function of science and technology indicates human flourishing in
science and technology. Protecting the well-being and upholding the dignity of the human person must be
at the core of continued scientific and technological progress and development. Such is the focus of a
human rights-based approach to science, technology, and development.
Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson the students are expected to:
1. Evaluate contemporary human experience to strengthen the human person functioning
in society;
2. Discuss the importance of human rights in the face of changing social conditions and
technological development; and
3. Identify laws or policies in the country that protect the well-being of the person in
technological advancement and ethical dilemmas.
Motivation / Take-Off
Instructions: Rate the extent of your agreement to each statement by ticking (/) the box that corresponds
to your response in each row.
Statements Extremely Somewhat To a Somewhat Extremely
Agree Agree limited Disagree Disagree
Extent
Human rights are fundamental rights.
Responding to urgent global
challenges allows setting aside some
human rights.
It is not the duty of scientist and
innovators to protect the well-being
and dignity of humans.
Human rights should be at the core of
any scientific and technological
endeavor.
A good life is a life where human rights
are upheld.
Human rights should be integral in the
journey toward the ultimate good.
It is not the primary function of science
and technology to protect the weak,
poor, and vulnerable.
There is no way for science and
technology to fully function as a
safeguard of human rights.
A human rights-based approach to
science, technology, and development
is imperative.
The protection of human rights and
continued scientific and technological
advancement can work hand-in-hand.
Multiple international statutes, declarations, and decrees have been produced to ensure well-being
and human dignity. Mukherjee listed some of the most important documents that center on a human rights-
based approach to science, development, and technology, and their key principles:
Table 2.4: Useful documents for a human-rights based approach to science, technology, and
development
Document Key Principles
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article This document affirms everyone's right to participate
27) in and benefit from scientific advances, and be
protected from scientific misuses. The right to the
benefits of science comes under the domain of
'culture,' so it is Usually examined from a cultural
rights perspective
UNESCO Recommendation on the Status of This document affirms that all advances in scientific
Scientific Researchers – 1974 (Article 4) and technological knowledge should solely be
geared towards the welfare of the on the status of
global citizens, and calls upon member states to
develop necessary protocol and policies to monitor
and secure this objective. Countries are asked to
show that science and technology are integrated
into policies that aim to ensure a more humane and
just society.
UNESCO Declaration on the Use of Scientific This document states, "Today, more than ever,
Knowledge – 1999 (Article 33) science and its applications are indispensable for
development. All levels of government and the
private sector should provide enhanced support for
building up an adequate and evenly distributed
scientific and technological capacity through
appropriate education and research programs as
an indispensable foundation for economic, social,
cultural and environmentally sound development.
This is particularly urgent for developing countries."
This Declaration encompasses issues such as
pollution-free production, efficient resource use,
biodiversity protection, and brain drains.
A human rights-based approach to science, technology, and development sets the parameters for
the appraisal of how science, technology, and development promote human well-being. Thus, the
discussion of human rights in the face of changing scientific and technological contexts must not serve as
merely decorative moral dimension of scientific and technological policies. As Mukherjee (2012) posited,
this approach "can form the very heart of sustainable futures."
Overview
This section tackles the danger posed by science and technology unchecked by moral and ethical
standards. It primarily draws insights from William Nelson Joy's (2000) article, Why the future doesn't need
US, 1n evaluating contemporary human experience in the midst of rapid developments in science and
technology. Such experience will be discussed to see whether it strengthens and enlightens the human
person functioning in society or not.
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Identify William Nelson Joy's arguments as to why the future does not need us
Motivation / Take-Off
Instructions: Look at the picture. Do you think that there will come a time in the future that will no longer
need humans? Write your brief opinion on the space provided.
Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/xLoHAp6Q6T7Mmujw6
Lesson Proper
Can you imagine a future without the human race? Do you think at robots and machines can
replace humans? Do you believe that there will come a time when human existence will be at the mercy of
robots and machines? Is it also possible that medical breakthroughs in the future may go terribly wrong that
a strain of drug-resistant viruses could wipe out the entire human race?
For some, imagining a future without humans is nearly synonymous to the end of world. Many
choose not to speculate about a future where humans cease to exist while the world remains However, a
dystopian society void of human presence is the subject of many works in literature and film. The possibility
of such society is also a constant topic of debates.
In April 2000, William Nelson Joy, an American computer scientist and chief scientist of Sun
Microsystems, wrote an article for Wired magazine entitled Why the future doesn’t need us? In his article,
Joy warned against the rapid rise of new technologies. He explained that 21st-century technologies-
genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics (GNR) -are becoming very powerful that they can potentially bring
about new classes of accidents, threats, and abuses. He further warned that these dangers are even more
pressing because they do not require large facilities or even rare raw materials-knowledge alone will make
them potentially harmful to humans.
Joy argued that robotics, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology pose much greater threats than
technological developments that have come before. He particularly cited the ability of nanobots to self
replicate, which could quickly get out of control. In the article, he cautioned humans against
overdependence on machines. He also stated that if machines are given the capacity to decide on their
own, it will be impossible to predict how they might behave in the future. In this case, the fate of the human
race would be at the mercy of machines.
Joy also voiced out his apprehension about the rapid increase of computer power. He was also
concerned that computers will eventually become more intelligent than humans, thus ushering societies
into dystopian visions, such as robot rebellions. To illuminate his concern Joy drew from Theodore
Kaczynski's book, Unabomber Manifesto, where Kaczynski described that the unintended consequences
of the design and use of technology are clearly related to Murphy's Law: "Anything that can go wrong, will
go wrong" Kaczynski argued further that overreliance on antibiotics led to the great paradox of emerging
antibiotic resistant strains of dangerous bacteria. The introduction of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)
Since the publication of the article, Joy's arguments against 21st- century technologies have
received both criticisms and expression of shared concern. Critics dismissed Joy's article for deliberately
presenting information in an imprecise manner that obscures the larger picture or state of things. For one,
John Seely Brown and Paul Duguid (2001), in their article A Response to Bill Joy and the Doom-and-
Gloom Technofuturists, criticized Joy's failure to consider social factors and only deliberately focused on
one part of the larger picture. Others go as far as accusing Joy of being a neo-Luddite, someone who
rejects
new technologies and shows technophobic leanings.
As a material, Joy's article tackles the unpleasant and uncomfortable possibilities that a senseless
approach to scientific and technological advancements may bring. Whether Joy's propositions are a real
possibility or an absolute moonshot, it is unavoidable to think of a future that will no longer need the human
race. It makes thinking about the roles and obligations of every stakeholder a necessary component of
scientific and technological advancement. In this case, it is preeminently necessary that the scientific
community, governments, and businesses engage in a discussion to determine the safeguards of humans
against the potential dangers of science and technology.
References
1. Quinto, E.J.M. & Nieva, A.D. (2018). Science, Technology and Society: Outcome-Based Module
(1st ed.) C & E Publishing, Inc. Quezon City Philippines.
2. Mcnamara, D.J., Valverde, V.M., & Beleno, III R. (2018). Science, Technology and Society (1 st ed).
C & E Publishing, Inc. Quezon City, Philippines.
3. Ballena, N.D.S., Bernal, R.D., Paquiz, L.G., Ramos, R.C., & Viet, L, C. (2004). Science Technology
and Society. Trinitas Publishing, Inc., Trinitas Complex, Pantoc Road, Pantoc, Meycauayan 3020
Bulacan.