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MODULE 2
Science, Technology and Society and the Human Condition

Introduction
There can be no doubt that we are rapidly moving towards a global society, spanning the whole
earth. Yet this global society derives its unity not from philosophy or religion, but rather from
technology. Technology is improving life and improving it fast. It is technology that is leading to
the homogenization of all forms of social interaction and communication, irrespective of their
historical and cultural provenance. It is technology that is creating a shared horizon for economic
productivity, just as it is technology that permits the limitless accumulation of public wealth.
Technology is the salient social activity of human beings as a species and, as an activity, and is
both cumulative and linear, irrespective of its consequences for human happiness.
In this chapter, we will be discussing the different conceptions of human flourishing, which
connotes the “well-being” and “happiness” of men and suggests positive emotional experiences.
Also, the development of scientific method and validity of science, human flourishing vis-à-vis
progress of science and technology. It has been noted that human flourishing in our present
societies seem dwarfed by difficulties, not only in the developing world, but also in the
developed world.
Also, this chapter covers the concept of human condition before and after the existence of
science and technology and ways on how technology aided in revealing the truth about human
being.
Furthermore, we will also be discussing the meaning of a good life and the different possibilities
available in attaining a good life and happiness. It will point out how humans strive to become
happy, achieve a comfortable and convenient life and the desire to make the work lighter, easier
and faster.
Finally, we shall also be taking up the different technological advancements in society,
development of Science and Technology in the Philippines and the effects of the interplay
between technology and humanity through dilemmas where the world is entering a period of
transformative change, and many of people will be surprised by the developments they simply
hadn’t anticipated.

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Learning Outcomes

At the end of Module 2, student can:

1. Analyze the human condition in order to deeply reflect and express philosophical
ratifications that are meaningful to the student as a part of society;
2. Criticize human flourishing vis-à-vis the progress of science and technology so that
the student can define for himself/herself the meaning of the good life;
2. Examine shared concerns that make up the good life in order to come up with
innovative, creative solutions to contemporary issues guided by ethical standards;
3. Examine human rights in order to uphold such rights in technological ethical
dilemmas;
4. Evaluate contemporary human experience in order to strengthen and enlighten the
human person functioning in society: and
5. Find and examine local government policies that protect the wellbeing of the person
in the face of new technologies.

Lesson 4: The Human Person Flourishing

in terms of Science and Technology

Learning Objectives

After successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

1. analyze the steps in scientific method;

2. explain the concepts of human flourishing and their importance for the “common good” and
present examples;
3. enumerate some career jobs related to science and technology that lead to human
flourishing.

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Activating Prior Knowledge

Learning Activity: SPOT THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Direction: Each sentence below describes a step of the scientific method. Match each sentence with the
step of the scientific method listed below.
A. Recognize the problem
B. Making Observation
C. Form a hypothesis
D. Test the hypothesis with an experiment
E. Draw conclusions

______________ 1. Mark predicted that seeds would start to grow faster if an electric current travelled
through the soil in which they were planted.
______________ 2. Scott said, “If I fertilize my orchid plants, they will blossom.” stronger when she
gave the hen feed, to which extra calcium had been added.
______________ 3. Philip’s data showed that household cockroaches moved away from raw mangoes.
______________ 4. Ameera fed different diets to three groups of tilapia. Her experiment showed that
tilapias need vitamins and protein in their diet.
______________ 5. Angela’s experiment proved that earthworms move away from light.
______________ 6. Justine wondered if dyes could be taken out of plant leaves, flowers and stems.
______________ 7. Kathy used a survey to determine how many classmates were left-handed and how
many were right-handed.
______________ 8. Bob read about growing plants in water. He wanted to know how plants could grow
without soil.
______________ 9. Kevin said “If acid rain affects plants in a particular pond, it might affect small
animals, such as crabs, that live in the same water.”
______________10. Alicia’s experiment showed that chicken eggshells were

Presentation of Contents

Problems that you encounter could be solved by simple ways. Maria could have solved her problem
if she tried to approach it systematically. This lesson will introduce you to the scientific method.
The scientific method is a logical and systematic way of solving a problem.

Making Observation and Stating the Problem

Different things happen around you. As you notice these, you take a mental note of what you
see, hear, feel, smell or taste. These mental notes are your observations. On the space below,
write five things that you can observe around you right now.
1. ______________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________

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4. ______________________________________________________________________
5. ______________________________________________________________________

Choose one observation from your list above. Choose the most interesting and from that, compose
your statement of the problem.
Statement of the problem: _____________________________________________________________

Formulating the Hypothesis

Your statement of the problem must have an answer. But at this point, you still do not have a
definite one, so you formulate your hypothesis. A hypothesis is a logical guess that answers the
question or problem. It could be correct or incorrect, which is what you will find out in the next
step. You could have more than one hypothesis, but you will consider them one at a time in the
succeeding steps.

Answer your statement of the problem by formulating three hypotheses.

1. ______________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________

Testing the Hypothesis with experiment

After proposing possible answer to the problem, you should prove whether your hypotheses
are true or not. This could be through experiments, test, or research. You need to plan how
you would test your hypothesis by logically writing down the steps that you will do.
Since you will be writing down steps of a procedure, your methodology should be numbered
and logically arranged. It should contain practical procedures, which are significant to the
study being conducted.
Choose one among the hypotheses you formulated. On the space below, write the procedure on how
you will test the hypothesis.

1. ______________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________
4. ______________________________________________________________________

Stating the Conclusion

At this point, you now know if your hypothesis answered your question. If it did, you just
restate your hypothesis as your conclusion. If it did not, then you need to test other
hypotheses.

Human Flourishing

According to Aristotle, there is an end of all of the actions that we perform which we desire
for itself. This is what is known as eudaimonia, flourishing, or happiness, which is desired
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for its own sake with all other things being desired on its account. Eudaimonia is a property
of one's life when considered as a whole. Flourishing is the highest good of human
endeavors and that toward which all actions aim. It is success as a human being. The best life
is one of excellent human activity.

For Aristotle, the good is what is good for purposeful, goal-directed entities. He defines the
good proper to human beings as the activities in which the life functions specific to human
beings are most fully realized. For Aristotle, the good of each species is teleologically
immanent to that species. A person's nature as a human being provides him with guidance
with respect to how he should live his life. A fundamental fact of human nature is the
existence of individual human beings each with his own rational mind and free will. The use
of one's volitional consciousness is a person's distinctive capacity and means of survival.

One's own life is the only life that a person has to live. It follows that, for Aristotle, the
"good" is what is objectively good for a particular man. Aristotle's eudaimonia is formally
egoistic in that a person's normative reason for choosing particular actions stems from the
idea that he must pursue his own good or flourishing. Because self-interest is flourishing, the
good in human conduct is connected to the self-interest of the acting person. Good means
"good for" the individual moral agent. Egoism is an integral part of Aristotle's ethics.

Application

Activity 1: Applying the Scientific Method

Direction:

Follow the scientific method focusing on what you can immediately observe that is
happening in the environment at 8 o’clock in the morning. Use the data sheet below to write
down your answers. For the data analysis, assume that you performed the test and were able
to prove that your hypothesis is an answer to the problem.

Location of Observation:
______________________________________________________________

I. Making Observations and stating the Problem

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

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 II. Formulating Hypothesis

1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________

3.____________________________________________________________________

III. Testing the Hypothesis with an experiment

1.____________________________________________________________________

2.____________________________________________________________________

3.____________________________________________________________________

4.____________________________________________________________________

5.____________________________________________________________________

IV. Stating the Conclusion

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Guide Questions:
1. What do you think will happen if the steps in scientific method are in different order?
2. If you would be adding more steps to the scientific method, what would be these steps?
Discuss the additional steps you are proposing
Activity 2: Role Play

Direction: Break up your class into groups of four or five students. Each group will role
play the Golden Rule “Do not do unto others what you want others do unto you” After the
role each group will answer the following guide questions.

Guide Question:
1.What role do your relationships with others have in the development of meaning in
your life?
2. How would you categorize what is important in life and what is not?

Complete the mind map below by writing words that come to your mind when you hear the
word science and technology

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 SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY

Feedback

From the picture below describe and assess the evolution and development of science and technology
along fields of medicine, agriculture, education, information and technology and many more.
(Source: Fundamentals of Science and Technology, www.tutorialspoint.com)
Figure:

(Source: Fundamentals of Science and Technology, www.tutorialspoint.co

Lesson 5: Technology as a Way of Revealing

Learning Objectives

After successful completion of this topic, you should be able to:

1. Explain the concept of human condition before science and technology;

2. Identify the change that happened in human condition after science and
Technology and

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 2. Name ways on how technology aided in revealing the truth about the human
being

Activating Prior Knowledge

Reaction Paper Writing

Make a reaction on the saying “Comparing the lives of people before and now will make anyone
realize the changes that happened in society not just in terms of culture, language or rights, but
more importantly, changes in people’s way of life due to the existence of science and
technology”.

Film Viewing

You will be asked to view the Film: Akiro Kurosawa’s Dreams “Village of the Watermills”
After the film viewing, you are now directed to make a collage You will be needing the
following materials in the activity below.
Coloring pens/crayons, Pentel pen, Pencil, Colored old magazines, Pictures from the web, Scissors,
Cartolina, Glue, Bond papers

Using the materials listed above, make a collage by cutting pictures in magazines or newspapers or
make illustrations that will demonstrate human condition before the common era and the human
condition during the common era and. You may include their day to day activities, their ways of
achieving survival and their strategies to attain high productivity. You may opt to print pictures
using the web.

After making the collage, you may list down notable human conditions before the common era and
during the common era and briefly discuss these conditions.
1.Before the Common Era

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1.During the Common Era

Our early ancestors’ primal need to survive paved the way for the invention of several developments.
As we always claim that humans are gifted with wisdom and more advanced than any other
creatures, our ancestors were able to utilize available materials to make their life more comfortable.

In your own perspective, how has technology affected the following aspects given the two-time
frames? Fill out the table below.

Human Conditions Before the common era During the common era

Mortality Rate

Average Life Span

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 Application

Activity 2: Role Playing

You are now dependent on the comforts of what technology has brought to us. This time, try to
imagine our world without technology? How do you think our daily routine would be like?
Demonstrate a scenario where certain technological innovation does not exist. You may form a group
of five and use any technological advancement for your role playing

Science and technology have aided us in survival and helped us outsmart our adversaries, provided
us comfortable life, allowed us to explore the world and assisted us in discovering more about
ourselves and the truth.
-Unknown

Feedback

Activity 3: Hear Their Voice

Following your groupings, make a survey from different groups with minimum of 5 interviewees per
group as follows:

Group 1- BSEd English

Group 2- BSEd Filipino
Group 3- BSEd Social Studies
Group 4- BSEd Mathematics
Gropu 5- Faculty Members
Group 6- High School Teachers

Each group should elicit their answers to the following questions below. Summarize their responses
and rank the said responses.
1. What would have happened to humankind if technology did not exist?
2. Do you agree with Martin Heidegger in his idea that technology should only be seen as one of the
approaches in perceiving truth? What other approaches you know that can be considered?

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 Lesson 6: The Good Life

Learning Objectives

After successful completion of this topic, you should be able to:

1. Examine what is meant by a good life in various philosophies;

2. Examine what you consider to be the good life and determine which philosophy that
represents;
3. Identify how humans attempt to attain what is deemed to be a good life;
4. Recognize possibilities available to human beings to attain the good life; and
5. Examine shared concerns that make up the good life in order to come up with innovative,
creative solutions and ethical solutions.

Activating Prior Learning

Checkpoint 1

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“The truth is the aim of the theoretical sciences, the good is the end goal of the practical ones.
Every attempt to know is connected in some way in an attempt to find the good”.
Aristotle

Materials

You will be needing the following materials in the activity below.

Coloring pens/crayons, Pentel pen, Pencil, Colored old magazines, Pictures from the web, Scissors,
Cartolina, Glue, Bond papers

Using the materials listed above, make a good life collage by cutting pictures in magazines or
newspapers that demonstrate how technology has made the man’s desire for a happy life more
realizable. You may opt to print pictures using the web.

Presentation of Contents

What is Good Life as Perceived by different schools of thought?

Aristotle and Good Life

It is interesting to note that the first philosopher who approached the problem of reality from
scientific lens is Aristotle who is also the first thinker who dabbled into the complex
problematization of the end goal of life: happiness.
Compared to his predecessor and teacher, Plato, Aristotle embarked on different approach in figuring
out reality. Plato thought that things in this world are not real and are only copies of the real in the
world of forms. While Aristotle puts everything back to the ground in claiming that this world is all
there and that this world is the only reality, we can all access.
Aristotle also forwarded the idea that there is no reality over and above what the senses can perceive.
As such, it is only by observation of the external world that one can truly understand what reality is
all about. Change is a process that is inherent in things. We, along with all other entities in the world
start as potentialities and move towards actualities. The movement, of course, entails change.

https://wellbeingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/seedling-growth.jpg

Figure 6.1

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Look at the seed in the picture. It eventually germinates and grows into a plant. The seed that turned
to become the plant underwent change from the potential plant that is the seed to its full actuality.
This can be likened to what Aristotle says that every human person aspires for an end. This end is
happiness or human flourishing. And no one resists happiness because we all want to be happy.
Materialism
The first materialists were the atomists in Ancient Greece. Democritus and Leucippus led a school
whose primary belief is that the world is made up of and is controlled by the tiny indivisible units in
the world called atomos or seeds. Accordingly, the world including human beings, is made up of
matter and there is no need to possess immaterial entities as sources of purpose. Atoms simply comes
together randomly to form the things in the world. As such, only material entities matter.

https://zenfulspirit.com/2018/02/16/materialism/
Figure 6.2
In terms of human flourishing, matter is what makes us attain happiness. The material things we
possess give us ultimate happiness. We see this at work with most people who are clinging on to
material wealth as the primary source of meaning of their existence.

Hedonism
The Hedonists see the end goal of life in acquiring pleasure. Pleasure has always been the priority of
hedonists. For them life is obtaining and indulging in pleasure because life is limited. They believe
that pleasure give meaning to their life without thinking of the future. The mantra of this school of
thought is the famous, “Eat, drink and merry for tomorrow we will die.

https://australianluxuryboatsales.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/boat-1024x683.jpg
Figure 6.3

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Stoicism
Another school of thought led by Epicurus, the stoics, exposed the idea that to generate happiness,
one must learn to distance oneself and be apathetic. The original term apatheia, precisely means to be
indifferent. These group believe that they can do things at their own and believe that happiness can
only be attained by a careful practice of apathy.

http://lyfetainment.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/1.-Can-
Loneliness-Kill-You-Why-You- Feel-Lonely.jpg

Figure 6.4

Theism
Most people find the meaning of their lives using God as the fulcrum of their existence. The
Philippines, as predominantly country, is witness to how people base their life goals on beliefs that
hinged on some form of supernatural reality called heaven. The ultimate basis of happiness for theists
is the communion with God.

https://coffeewiththelord.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/god-alone.jpg?w=350&h=200&crop=1
Figure 6.5
Humanism

Humanism as another school of thought espouses the freedom of man to carve his own destiny
and to legislate his own laws, free from the shackles of a God that monitors and controls. For

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humanists, man is literally the captain of his own ship. They see themselves not merely as
stewards of the creation but as individuals who are in control of themselves and the world
outside them. As a result of the motivation of the humanist current, scientists eventually turned
to technology in order to ease the difficulty of life. Scientists of today meanwhile are ready to
confront more sophisticated attempts at altering the world for the benefit of humanity. Some
people now are willing to tamper with time and space in the name of technology.

https://soheefit.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Screenshot-2014-04-10-13.04.01.png
Figure 6.5

Application

Acitivity2: Fill in the blanks

Using the table below, list down the different advantages and disadvantages of the different schools
of thought in attaining good life and happiness.
School of Thought Advantages Disadvantages
1. Materialism

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 2. Hedonism

3. Stoicism

4. Theism

5. Humanism

Feedback

Activity 3: Think about these questions

1. What is a good life?

2. What is the relationship between good life and science?

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3. Does technology always lead us to the good life? Support your answer.

Now you are ready to take a quiz for today’s discussion.

Lesson 7: When technology and humanity cross

Learning Objectives

After successful completion of this topic, students will be able to:

1. List examples of technology and give their risks and benefits to humanity;

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 2. Examine some technological advancements and ethical issues they entail; and

3. Discuss the interplay between technology and humanity.

Activating Prior Learning

Are you ready for your next topic? I’m sure you are! As a start, let’s do this preparatory activity
especially prepared for you. Happy learning!

Using a graphic organizer, list down some technology you see or you use at home, at school or in
your community, and in social media. Categorize them according to their purpose
(transportation, communication, education, etc.). Describe briefly how you or the community use
these technologies you mention.

Presentation of Contents

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 https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=technology+and+humanity
Figure 7.1.
When technology and humanity cross… Will it be a convergence or a clash between man
and machine?
Television sets, Mobile phones, Computers, and Humanity
A number of technological devices can be easily found inside the home, the most accessible
place to anyone. Having said that, it can also be easily inferred that these technological devices
are some of the most popular and most commonly used types of devices across all age groups.
To be more specific, these “celebrities” in the field of technology are television sets, mobile
phones, and computers. People all over the world use these technologies every day to accomplish
different purposes.
In television, used mainly as a platform for advertisements and information
Disseminatio It remains to be the most used avenue by different
advertisement companies not only in the Philippines but also all
over the world. Various advertising companies trust that television
is still one of the most used technological devices up until today.
It also serves as a recreational activity and good stress reliever to
most families, specifically to Filipino families. Television also is a
good platform for different propagandas and advocacies. Lastly, it
can also be a good way to bond with one’s family members.

In mobile phones, used primarily for

communication. It offers services like
texting and calling. In the past, these were
the only functions of the mobile phone but as
technology progressed, there have been many
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 additional features included on mobile phones.
In the present, people use their mobile phones
to surf the Internet and to take pictures more
than text or to call people. This is the reason
why more and more people all over the world
prefer to buy smartphones over the old models
where such features are not available. These
make this particular technological device very appealing to the masses. Additionally, it is very
portable and convenient because it can fit into any space, may it be inside the pocket or bag.

Computers and laptops, on the other hand, can be used to surf the Internet and
communicate. For a lot of people, they prefer to do their job using either a
personal computer or a laptop than a mobile phone. Personal computer or a
laptop has wide keyboard, wide screens and separate keyboards than mobile
phones. Another reason is that the
availability of a mouse or a touchpad made
these two technological devices easier to
maneuver than mobile phones. Lastly, for
the youth and those who love to play
different computer games, personal
computers or laptops are really the better
choice because these allow them play with
comfort and convenience.
http://crossram.co.uk
Figure 7.4

Ethical Dilemma Faced by these technological advancements

It is true that these technological devices are useful and beneficial, the fact remains that there are
several dilemmas faced by these “necessities”. First, most parents would argue that these devices
make their children lazy and unhealthy. This is because of the fact that people who are fixated on
these technological advancements start and end their day by using such devices. For example,
those who love to watch television shows stay in front of the television for more than six hours a
day while those who love to surf the Internet or play computer games stay on their laptops,
computers, or mobile phones for more than half a day. These people have the tendency to be
unaware of the time because they are so engrossed with the use of technological device. Also,
there are the same people who are more likely to experience alienation because they no longer
take time to get out their houses and mingle with other people. It is really concerning to know
that there are people who develop different kinds of sickness because of too much use of
technological devices. The agents using the devices are the ones to be blamed for the undesirable
consequences, namely, laziness and unhealthiness. In terms of alienation, it can be concluded
that the people in the scientific-technological world are blameworthy because they tell the
people something that seems positive but when examined closely, brings worse than good.

Another dilemma faced by these technological devices is the moral dilemma. People, especially
the children who are not capable yet of rationally deciding for themselves what is right or wrong,
are freely exposed to different things on television, mobile phones, laptops, or computers.
Because of the availability and easy access to the Internet, they can just easily search the web
and go to http://crossram.co.uk Figure 7.457 different websites without restrictions. This allows
them to see, read, or hear things which are not suitable for their very young age. This makes

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them very vulnerable to character change and can greatly affect the way they view the world and
the things around them. The people in the scientific world nor the children are blameworthy
because first, the children are not yet capable of rationally deciding for themselves what is good
and what is bad. Second, even if creators of these technologies went out of their way to inform
children of the pros and cons of these technological contributions, it would still be useless
because the children have no capacity to understand them yet. So, the ones to be blamed are the
adults who allowed the children to have access to such devices in first place without any
supervision.

Robotics and Humanity

Another great product of the innovative minds of the people is the robot which are now widely
used. For example, there are so -called service robots that do specific tasks but focus mainly in
assisting their masters in their everyday tasks.
Germany was one of the first countries to develop service robots. As part of the German Federal
Ministry of Education and Research’s “Service Robotics Innovation Lead Initiative,” it
sponsored a collaborative project called DESIRE
(Deutsche Servicerobotik InitiativeGermany
Service Robotics Initiative) which was
launched on October 1, 2005. Some of the
expected work to be performed by DESIRE
are the following:
(1) “Clear up the kitchen table” – all objects
on top of the kitchen table will be
moved to where they belong;
(2) “Fill the dishwasher” – the dirty dishes
will be sorted correctly into the dishwasher;
and
(3) “Clear up this room” – all objects that are http://news.mit.
not in their proper places will be moved to Figure 7.5
where they belong
Roles played by Robotics
Robots play different roles not only in the lives of the people but also in the society as a whole.
They are primarily used to ease the workload of mankind. They were invented to make life more
efficient and less stressful. They perform complicated activities which human beings are
incapable of doing. On the other hand, they perform the simplest tasks at home so that their
masters can perform the complex ones without stressing themselves over the simple tasks. There
are also robots which are made for pleasure. To be more specific, these types of robots perform
activities to entertain people. They can usually be found in amusement parks or exhibits. In
addition, there are also some robots which were made to serve as toys. They also perform
different activities but they are usually child-friendly.

Ethical Dilemma/s faced by Robotics

Just like any other technological advancements, robotics also faces different problems and
dilemmas. Although the idea is to help people and make their lives a lot easier than before, it is
still not immune to different ethical dilemmas and possible undesirable outcomes. One of the
dilemmas faced by robots is safety. Who should be held accountable if someone’s safety is
compromised by a robot? It is important to know who should be blamed and who should be held
responsible if such thing happens. Another dilemma is the emotional component. This may seem
a little absurd as of the moment, but looking at how fast technology progresses nowadays, it

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is not completely impossible for robots to develop emotions. So here, the questions become,
“What if robots become sentient? Should they be granted robot right? Should they have their
own set of rights to be upheld, respected, and protected by humans?” It is just right for the robots
to be given their own set of rights should they develop the ability to feel different kinds of
emotion.

Moral and Ethical Issues in Advanced Technology

Individuals and organizations use technology to enhance their daily operations, be it business,
learning, construction, or medical activities. Advancement in technology does not elicit ethical or
moral issues, but it is the use of technological inventions that raises these issues.
Ethical dilemmas arise when there are competing goods and competing evils. In regard to IT, the
sharing of private information within an organization raises the question of whether the action is
moral or immoral. Information systems enable people to manipulate records within a short
period, thus raising questions on whether the information is genuine or vague
In addition, will genetic engineering improve the quality of life or destroy it? These are some of
ethical dilemmas that are yet to be solved. Furthermore, biotechnology raises some moral issues.
It is difficult to justify the use of living organisms during research and other technological
discoveries. For instance, vitro fertilization enables women who are not in a position to have
their own children to undergo the process. Religious groups are opposed to such practices
because their beliefs do not agree with them.
Similarly, the uses of technology have the capability of making many innocent people to suffer;
this is a moral concern. For example, nuclear technology has the potential of killing many
people, and consequently destroying the environment. This raises some health problems. People
affected by nuclear emissions, such as those witnessed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, are deemed
to be genetically impaired. Such effects can affect the next generations of affected individuals

The use of computers also raises health issues. Even though computer makes our work easier, it
is evident that prolonged use of computers results to repetitive stress injuries.

In regard to job displacement, machines have enabled companies to cut down their labor force.
Many companies use technological tools and knowledge, such as robots and computer to run
their business operations. Some people are forced to take different roles other than their
qualification requirements and others are faced with stress related to work difficulties.

The idea that the quest for strong AI would ultimately succeed was long thought of as science
fiction, centuries or more away. However, thanks to recent breakthroughs, many AI milestones,
which experts viewed as decades away merely five years ago, have now been reached, making
many experts take seriously the possibility of super intelligence in our lifetime. Because AI has
the potential to become more intelligent than any human, we have no surefire way of predicting
how it will behave. People now control the planet, not because we’re the strongest, fastest or
biggest, but because we’re the smartest. If we’re no longer the smartest, are we assured to remain
in control?.

But there are other examples of potential ethical dilemmas in scientific research and technology.
There are things like genetic engineering, where people worry that we might one day create
super-humans that will outcompete regular humans. There is surveillance technology, making
people wonder how human rights could be violated. People ask questions about whether we're
going where only God should tread, and whether we should do something just because we can.
The implications of many of these technologies are complex and philosophical. The biggest risk
to our future is not that technology will take over but that we will become too much like
technology. Let’s think about where it’s going. Let’s balance the EQ with the IQ. We should

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think of technology not as what we seek but rather how we seek – it is a tool we should embrace,
not one we should become.

Application
It’s time for an exciting activity! The class will form 4 groups with equal number of members as
possible. Two groups shall make a skit and the other two groups shall have a simple debate.

1. Skit: Each group should choose a topic and think of its perceived effects and
Dilemma that it entails. Show your stand on a technological dilemma through
a skit. The group must be able to show the role/s played by the technological
advancement in the lives of the people.

a. What if robots become sentient, must we give them robot rights?

b. Google and stupidity
c. Genetically Modified Organisms and Food Safety

2. Debate: Each group will pick one topic to debate on. Members of each group must
form into 2 subgroups – one as the Pro, the other as the Con. The topics for the debate are
the following:

a. Is technology a friend or a foe?

b. Automation - A Threat to Employment?
c. Internet vs. Indolence and Stupidity d. Cloning and Stem cell technology 61

Note: The teacher may use ‘toss coin’ or ‘throw a die’ strategies to decide which groups shall
perform a skit or a debate.

Task Description
Criteria Exceeds Expectation Meets Expectation Needs Improvement
(3 points) (2 points) (1 point)
Understanding  Factual information  Factual information is  Information is
of Topic is accurate mostly accurate inaccurate
 Indicates a clear  Good understanding of  Presentation is off
understanding of topi topic topic
Teamwork  Accepts ideas of  Accepts most ideas  Group does not work
others; able to without negative together
compromise comments; able to  One person does all
 All members compromise the work
contribu  Some members
contribute
Presentation  Shows confidence  Shows some confidence  Portrayal stalls
 Informative  Presents some  Lacks information
 Entertaining; information  Audience bored
engages audience  Engages audience  Mumbles
 Speaks loudly and  Can be heard  Body language is
clearly Some use of body lacking; inappropriate

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  Appropriate use of language
body language

Feedback

1. From the graphic organizer you completed at the very start of this section, choose one technology in
each category and give their risks and benefits as regards to their purpose. Explain briefly each point you
included.

Technology Benefits Risks

2. “My Ideal Technology”. Think of an issue (be it environmental, economical, transportation,

etc.), and come up with a technology that would somehow address the issue. Give a description
of the features of your technology. What are its benefits and drawbacks to the society?

Summary
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. Science and technology has
aided us in our survival and helped us outsmart our adversaries, provided us comfortable living,
allowed us to explore the world, and assisted us in discovering more about ourselves and the
truth.
However, it also leads us to the paradox in which we are only able to see the world in the lenses
of technological innovations leaving behind other aspects which are deemed important. In our

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pursuit of growth, we had conveniently forgotten that technology only presents one approach in
viewing the world, thus leading us to evaluate objects or not.
It is undeniably true that man constantly aims for good life and has worked hard in pointing out
what amounts to be good and what happiness means to them. Science and technology has been at
the forefronts of man’s attempts at finding this happiness and attaining good life for many if not
all of us.
In our modern times, there are different advancements given by science and technology.
However, there are still problems faced by these technological advancements specifically on the
ethical aspects in nature and mankind. It is now impossible for technology and humanity not to
cross paths and it is necessary that ethics be enforced in the field of technology to ensure safety
and morality of these advancements to living things

Reflection
1. What do you think will happen if human person did not flourish in terms of science and
technology?
2. Debate: Each group will pick one topic to debate on. Members of each group must form into
2 subgroups – one as the Pro, the other as the Con.
The topics for the debate are the following:
a. Is technology a friend or a foe?
b. Automation - A Threat to Employment?
c. Internet vs. Indolence and Stupidity
d. Cloning and Stem cell technology
Note: The teacher may use ‘toss coin’ or ‘throw a die’ strategies to decide which groups shall
perform a skit or a debate.
3.From among the different schools of thought presented above, which among them describe you
as a person or as a member of the community? Do you think it can develop you better and attain
a good life? Why or why not?

References
Blitz, M. (2014). “Understanding Heidegger on Technology,” The New Atlantis, Number 41,
Winter, pp 63-80

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Mcnamara et al., (2018). Science, Technology and Society. C & E Publishing, Inc.
Patria, Javier et al. Science, Technology and Society, pp 63-74
Serafica et al., (2018). Science, Technology and Society. Rex Bookstore
Macat Thinking News. (2006) Aristotle’s Secret to Happiness: What will make us happy now?
Accessed February 3, 2017. https://www.macat.com/blog/aristotle’s - secret-happiness
The Basics of Philosophy. (2008). Theism. Accessed February 3,2017.
http://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_theism.html.

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