CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY ‘Science, Technology and Society (STS) refers to the endless cycle of co-dependenes co-influence, co-production of technology and society upon the other. The invention of simple tools from the dawn to humankind has occurred with this ‘synergistic relationship, and: continues into ‘modem technologies such as the invention of the printing press. The study of how social, political, and cultural values affect scientific research and technological innovation, and how these in tum affect society, politics, and culture are the boundless concerns of STS: Scholars of STS tend to motivated by one or both of the following (a) the discovery of ‘elationships between scientific and: technological ‘innovations and society, from new and revealing perspectives, with the assumption that science and technology are socially embedded; and (b) concern over the direction and the risks of science and technology. ‘An extraordinary number of examples of co-production can be seen in our society today. One great example is the use of mobile phones. The socicty {was in need of a more portable device that they could use to talk to people, hhence, the invention of the telephone. This led to the high demand for the invention of a new product. The mobile phones has greatly influenced in society and the way people live their lives. Now many people are accessible to talk to no matter where they are. This keeps people accountable and relied ‘upon no matter where they are because they have no excuses for not keeping in touch. ‘All these little changes in mobile phones. Like intemet access, are farther examples of the cycle of co-production. Society's need for being able to call ‘on people and be available everywhere resulted in the research and development of mobile phones. They turn influenced the way we live our lives. As the populace relies more and more on mobile phones, additionalfeatures were requested. They were implemented, changing the way mobile phones were used once again, precipitating new needs, perpetuating the co- production. The great effects of the use of science and technology may be separated into unanticipated and often unknown before the arrival of a new technology, in our society today. But they are often as important’as the “intended effects in wherein the effects of technology are often sociological, They are subtle because the side effects are unnoticed uniess studied. These may involve gradual changes in the behaviour of in: groups, institutions and even in the entire societies, carefilly dividuals, Hence, background and understanding on the importance of science and technologies and its great impact on. the past and present society, and their significance in the modem world, is needed, Importance of Science and Technology in Development In ancient history, economics can be said to arrive on the scene ‘when the occasional, spontaneous exchange of goods and services began to occur high on a less occasional, less spontaneous basis. It probably did not take long for the makes of arrowheads to realize that one could probably do a lot better by concentrating on the making of arrowheads and barter for other needs. Obviously, despite the goods and services bartered, some amount of technology was involved—if no more than in the making of shell and bead jewellery. Likewise, the shaman's potions and sacred objects can be said to have involved some technology. Consequently, form the very beginnings, technology can be said to have soured the development of more elaborate ‘economies. The significant social. and economic differences between the developed and the developing countries are the many underlying causes of disparities rooted in the long history of development of such nations that include social, cultural and economic variables, historical and political lements, international relations, and geographical factors, But these do not SaaSnneEnenentemendnet cence cocememeemelea perenne tai The most important causes of differential social and ic Is are the i: i a science and technology i groups of countries. An essential os nos Progress is early recognition of neces: Ho i i ze ee Sasa of the key factors that contributed to Japan's economic Superior technologies resources, peograph istory give ri shslhe » Beography, and history give robust economies in the modem world; and in a well-functioning, robust economy, economic excess naturally flow into greater use of technology. In addition, because technology is such an inseparable part of human society especially in economic aspects, funding sources for (new) technological endeavours are virtually | illimitable. Also, while in’ the beginning, technological investment involved little more than the time, efforts, and skills of one or a few men. Today, such investment may involve the collective Jabour and skills of many millions. - Definition of Science and Technology Generally, technology is the relationship that society has with its tools and crafts, and to what extent society can control its environment, It is the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area and a capability given by the practical application of knowledge (Merriam-Webster dictionary). In her lecture in the Real World technology in 1989, Ursula ‘(Franklinj gave another interesting definition of the concept. According to her, nology is i ". The term is often used to imply a specific field of technology, or to refer to high technology, rather than technology as a whole! Similarly, the term is’ mostly used in three different contexts: when referring to a tool (or machine); a technique; the cultural force; or a combination of the three. - sMechnology.can be most broadly détined as the entities, both material “ and immaterial, created by the application of order to achieve some value. In this usage, technology refers to tools and machines that may be used to solve real-world problems. It is a far-reaching term that may be include simple tools, such a crowbar or wooden spoon, or 3 a> more complex machines, such as space stations or particle accelerator. Tools land machines need not to be material; virtual technology, such as computer, Software and business methods falls under this definition of technology. pput into teaching « help the public be to play an exceed ‘Toe wordteehaatogy" can also be refered to a clleton of, pee “techniques. In this context, it isthe current state of humanity's knowledge of he eae ee “how to combine sesourees to produce desired produ, 0 sete PONE the field of Scienc fulfill needs, or satisfy want includes technical methods, skills, term, such 2 ‘as "medical technology" ot "space technology”, it refers to the state of the Modern tr respective field's knowledge and tools. State-of-the-art technology” refers understood today to the hi logy avails ‘the mathematics : Mesopotamians, ( “Technology can be viewed as an activity that forms or changes culture. ‘A modem example is the rise of communication technology, which: has lessened barriers to hucuan interaction. As a result, it helped spawn new subcultures; the rise of cyber culture has, at its basis, the development of the intemet and the computer. But not all tecimology enhances culture in a ‘reative way; it can also help facilitate political oppression and war via tools such as guns. As a cultural ctivity, technology predates both science and engineering, each of which formalizes some aspects of, technological ‘The Nature of § Science a manner. Scientist many disciplines explanations base The com endeavour. influence to socie L One of the ‘The Origin of Science, Technology and Society to think el . parts in The history of science and technology is a field off history which Understa examines how bumanity’s understanding of the natural world (science) and apply sci ability to manipulate it (technology) have changed over the millennia. This 2. Scientist: field of history also studies the cultural, economic, and political impacts of the basic scientific innovation. belief th: ; 4 3... Scientifi _ Histories of science were originally written by practicing and retired challeng scientist, starting primarily with as away to communicate, at old ot ae sion a mln ce eaty 1930s, ae amos Re discardis given by the Sovic ian Boris Hessen, effort was focused into looking as cxasesa, at the ways in which scientific practices, were allied with the needs and work in motivations of their context. After World War II, extensive resources were 4 — aput into teaching and researching the discipline, with the hopes that it would help the public better understand both science and technology as they came to play an exceedingly prominent role in the world. In the 1960s, especially in the wake of the work done by Thomas Khun, the discipline began to serve a very different function, and began to be used as a way to critically examine the scientific enterprise. At the present time it is often closely aligned with the field of Science studies. Modern mathematical science and physical engineering as it is understood today took from during the scientific revolution, though much of the mathematics and science was built on the works of Grecks, Egyptians, Mesopotamians, Chinese, Indians and Muslims. The Nature of Science, Technology, and Society Science actively acquires information about the world in a specific manner, Scientists investigate natural phenomena with skills drawn from ‘many disciplines of science math and technology. They develop logical explanations based on observation and experimentation. The components of science in relation with technology and its influence to society 1. Onc of the essential components of higher order thinking is the ability to think about a whole in terms of its parts and, alternatively, about parts in terms of how they relate to one another and the whole. Understanding systems is fundamental to being able to rationally apply scientific knowledge. s 2. Scientists assume that the universe is a vast single system in which the basic rules are the same everywhere. Scientist operate on the belief that the rules can be discovered by careful, systematic study. 3... Scientific knowledge is subject to modification as new information challenges prevailing theories and as a new theory leads to looking at old observations in a new way. Testing, revising, and occasional discarding of theories, new and old, never ends. This on-going process leads to an increasingly better understanding of how things workin the world. re IO 5 rea > A. Scientific disciplines have been created by human for organization ‘of information. Many problems are studied by scientists using information and skills from many of these disciplines, 5. Interpretation of scientific information can be influenced by 9) Some issues ca them are matte those are esser personal, societal, and cultural studies, eee areeaieus oa ‘Technology is the application of scientific principles. Science, rea Technology, society and the environment are interrelated with many eeeaadl possibilities for ways that they may affect each other is Ne 1) Technology has strongly influenced the course of history and ei ang iad continues to do so. the systematic study « 2) Technological problems often create a demand for new scientific thé middle ¢ Imowledge, and new technologies make it possible for scientists to desichatbns in Grice extend their research in new Ways or to undertake entirely new lines “While Science of research. The very availability off new technology itself often setee; refers to any § sparks scientific advances. sense, science refert 43) Technology is essential to science for many purposes such as: access scientific method, as to outer space and other remote locations, sample collection and reaciehl _ treatment, measurement, data collection and storage, computation, and communication of information. Misconception on 4) Technology cannot always provide successful solutions for problems or fulfil every human need. Science and 5) Societies influence what aspects of technology are developed and methodology, comm iow are these used. People control technology (as Well as science) ‘common community ‘and are responsible for its effects. is generally assume 6) Rarely are technology issues simple and one-sided. Relevant facts alone, even when known and available, usually do not settle matters This miscon entirely’ in favour of one side or another. That is because the the relationship be contending groups may have different values and priorities. technology educati 7). People who research and develop technology need to consider hurman technology educati values, limitations and societal/physical constraints. curriculum is equa 8). Alltechnologies have effects other than those intended by the design, either case the dist some of which may ‘have’been predictable and some not. Risk two decades ago T analysis is used to minimize the likelihood of unwanted side effects industrial arts teac of a new technology. The public perception of risk may depend, technology educa ‘however, on physical factors as well as scientific ones. differences of scie: 6 i a a9) = issues cannot be examined usefully in a scientific way. Among them are matters that by their nature cannot be tested objectively and those are essential matters of morality. The Meanings on the Nature of Science and Technology The word technology comes from two'Greck words techne which means skill, craft, trade, science; artifice, cunning, trick; work of art; and logos, a word with many meanings but, in this case, discourse and reason. So words ending in-logy refer either to a discipline or department of knowledge, the systematic study of the subject or to people who speak about’ topic. The "o" in the middle of the word is simply the combining vowel of all declensions in Greek While Science (from the Latin scientia, ‘knowledge’, in the broadest sense, refers to any systematic knowledge or practice. In a more restricted sense, science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge based on the scientific method, as well as to the organized body of gained through such “research, Misconception on the Nature of Science and Technology Science and technology are often assumed to share a common methodology, common symbol systems (language and mathematics), and a ‘common community practitioners. These perceived commonalities, science is generally assumed to precede technology: This misconception on the nature of science and technology and on the relationship between them can be confusing’ at best and critical for technology education. As educators advocate, promote, and implement technology education in the public schools, they may find that ‘he new curriculum is equated with science or competes with science programs: In cither case the distinctive character of technology is misunderstood. Over two decades ago DeVore (1968, 1970) argued the same point and urged industrial arts teachers to study technology. Now, even more, téachets of technology education need a clear understanding of similarities and differences of science and technology. $$Distinct Ways of Science and Technology (1) science as a buman and social enterprise, (2) science as the body of ‘well-established laws ant (3) science in its applications, .d theories, and ‘The first. view covers comannity, of science practitioners and the activity os pasticular approach used by the community. The scorn view is concerned with the cognitive content and structure of science, The ind view Technology can be viewed often combines applied science with technology. Technolog i 5 corollary to science in three senses some latitude in fit is allowed. First, technology is a. problem-solving activity practiced by a community of professionals. 1ed_body of technological Second, there is a well-defin t z Inowledge. And, finally, the world is replete with technological, devices, procedure, and systems, ‘There's a fourth sense in which the terms technology and science are ‘used. Both can be regarded in the abstract as mental categories or constructs which incorporate the other three senses. Taken to the extreme, technology and science are then seen as disembodied forces which exist independent of the natural, material, or social world, Discussions about technology and science often fail to distinguish clearly how the terms are being used. Technology as Human Activity Technology is a human activity involved with the making and using of material artifacts, As a human activity, technology is situated on the same level as, art, politics, science, economics, and the like, and not. subsumed under any other category. (a) distinctive approaches to the natural world, (b) distinctive aims and purposes, and (c) distinctive knowledge structures and content. Approaches to the Natural World ___ Technology and natural science assume the existence of an objective, physical reality which is independent of one's perception of it.CLAXA\ | (1) the world is composed of things; ve \ (2) things get together in systems; Z b 3) all things, all facts, all processes, whether in nature or society, fit into, objective stable patterns (laws); ae () Nothing comes out of nothing and nothing goes over ey nothingness". ° Technologists and scientists often act and talk as though this external world can "known" and that the laws and Principles described by symbols and equations do, in fact, correspond with objective physical reality. Regardless of agreement on fundamental presuppositions about the existence of the natural world, technologist and scientists act differently upon these assumptions. For natural scientist, nature is the object of research, Scientist a interested in discovering all they can about natural phenomena, whether directly available to hau “thing in itself," worthy if, study, fundamental-laws, patterns, nature for what it is, All n research, and experimentation to uncover and structures. Because scientist ig interested in lature is open for investigation and all nature is allest particle of matter to the vast universe