Chapter 1- General Concepts and Historical • Philippine science and technology has a long history.

It
Development started before Spain colonized the country where some
indigenous technology already existed with regards to wet
Lesson 1- Historical Antecedents which Changed the rice and dry rice agriculture. The use of technology was
Course of Science and Technology also evident in the handicrafts, pottery, weaving, metal
ware and boats used by ancient Filipinos. The natives were
Science- comes from the Latin word scientia meaning already aware of the medicinal and therapeutic
“knowledge” properties of plants and the methods of extracting
- Science can be classified as a process and a product medicine from herbs. They had an alphabet, a system of
writing, a method of counting, weights and measure. They
Technology- application of scientific knowledge had no calendar but counted the years by the period of the
- comes from the Greek word techne meaning “art, skill, moon and from one harvest to another. Filipinos were
or cunning of hand” already engaged in farming, shipbuilding, mining and
weaving. The Banaue Rice Terraces is a sophisticated
Scientism- according to this view, when we do science, we product of engineering by pre-Spanish Filipinos.
set aside values and only study facts
- promotes the idea that all of society's problem can be Spanish Colonial Period
solved by experts who are specially trained to unearth the • The Spaniards introduced formal education and founded
facts of the matter scientific institutions.

Society- is the result of people, and institutions interacting • Sanitation and more advanced methods of agriculture
with one another. were taught to the natives.

Antecedents of Science and Technology- are factors that • Spaniards established colleges and universities in the
paved way for the presence of advanced and sophisticated archipelago including University of Santo Tomas.
scientific and technological innovations which we are
enjoying today. • In 1871, the school of medicine and pharmacy was
opened at the University of Santo Tomas.
Human artifacts- earliest form of science and technology
found during prehistoric time about 2.3 million years ago • It also contributed to the field of engineering in the islands
by constructing government buildings, churches, roads,
roughly shaped stones- used for chopping and scraping, bridges and forts.
found primarily in Eastern Africa
• The Jesuits promoted meteorological studies and
Mesopotamian cultures- Some of the earliest record of founded the Manila Observatory at the Ateneo Municipal
science came from them around 400 B.C. de Manila in 1865.

• From 300 to 400 B.C. there was a rise in the number of American Period and Post Commonwealth Era
philosophers who wrote topics on psychology, biology, and • On July 1, 1901, the Philippine Commission established
a host of other topics. the Bureau of Government Laboratories which was
placed under the Department of Interior. The bureau
• 3000 B.C. gave rise to the Bronze Age in the search for replaced the Laboratorio Municipal, which was
finding pigments used to color the human skin, copper was established under the Spanish colonial era. The bureau
discovered dealt with the study of tropical diseases and laboratory
projects.
• By 3500 B.C. in Mesopotamia, two-wheeled carts had
been created and it became the most frequently used • On October 26, 1905, the Bureau of Government
mode of transporting heavy goods from one place to Laboratories was replaced by the Bureau of Science, and
another. on December 8, 1933, the National Research Council of
the Philippines was established. The Bureau of Science
• Middle Ages (450 – 1450 A.D.) gave birth to many became the primary research center of the Philippines
scientific and technological development. Also during the until World War II.
Middle Ages (often called Dark Ages), warfare had
improved tremendously. Marcos Era and Martial Law
• Science was given importance during the Marcos Regime.
• The Renaissance Era in Europe that began in 1450 and In the amended 1973 Philippine Constitution, Article XV,
lasted until 1600 A.D. was the period known as rebirth of Section 9 (1), he declared that the "advancement of
knowledge. science and technology shall have priority in national
"Development".
• Modern Science and Technology around 1600 A.D.
Galileo was the first to use modern scientific methods • On January 23, 1967, he declared that science was
based on experiment and testable observations. necessary for the development programs, and thus,
directed the Department of Education to revitalize the
• Albert Einstein became the most famous scientist of the science courses in public high schools.
20th century.
• In 1968 technology was recognized as the leading factor (2) Science and Technology Scholarship Law of 1004 (R.A.
in economic development and thus additional funds were No. 7687) and
channeled to support projects in applied sciences and (4) Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act (Republic Act
science education. No. 7459).

• The Philippine Council for Agricultural Research was • The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines
also established to support the progressive development (Republic Act No. 8293) was also enacted which provides
of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries for the country. industrial property rights, copyrights and related rights, and
technology transfer arrangements.
• Presidential Decree No. 49, s. 1972- Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
(PAGASA) under the Department of National Defense was
established.
President Joseph Estrada's Term
• P.D. No. 334, s. 1973- Philippine National Oil Company • Republic Act No. 8749- Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999,
was also created to promote industrial and economic which was designed to protect and preserve the
development environment and ensure the sustainable development of
its natural resources.
• Executive Order No. 625, s. 1980- National Committee
on Geological Sciences was created in 1980 to advise • Republic Act No. 8792- Electronic Commerce Act of
government and private entities 2000, which outlaws computer hacking and provides
opportunities for new businesses emerging from the
• Executive Order No. 784, s. 1982- the National Science Internet-driven New Economy.
Development Board and its support agencies was
reorganized and was named National Science and Science and Technology During President Gloria M.
Technology Authority (NSTA) to provide central direction Arroyo's Term
and coordination of scientific and technological research • “golden age”
and development.
• Executive Order No. 1090, s. 1986- The Mindanao and • “Filipinovation” was the coined term used in helping the
Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science High School Philippines to be an innovation hub in Asia.
were established in 1986 to encourage careers in science
and technology and to be more accessible to the talented • R.A. 9367- Biofuels Act, this act promotes the
students in the Mindanao and Visayas areas development and usage of biofuels throughout the country.

Fifth Republic (Corazon Aquino) President Benigno C. Aquino

• The first Science and Technology Master Plan or STMP • Republic Act 10601- which improves the Agriculture and
was formulated on August 8, 1988. Its goal was for the Fisheries Sector through Mechanization (AFMech).
Philippines to achieve newly industrialized country
status for the year 2000. • R.A. 10068- Organic Agricultural Act of 2010

• R.A. 6655 or the Free Public Secondary Education Act of • In 2010, President Benigno Aquino was considered as the
1988 opened free education at the secondary level. "father of Organic Agriculture”
Together with this was implemented the "Science for the • Republic Act No. 19844- otherwise known as DICT Act of
Masses Program" which aimed at scientific and 2015, was signed into law. Under this law, the Department
technological literacy among Filipinos. of Information and Communications Technology will
take charge of planning, developing, and promoting the
national ICT development agenda.

President Fidel V. Ramos' Term

• There was a significant increase in personnel specializing Lesson 2- Science and Technology and Its Role in Nation
in science and technology. In 1988, the Philippines was Building
estimated to have around 3,000 competent scientists and
engineers. Importance of Science and Technology to National
Development
• Another Science and Technology framework plan entitled • A nation's development and prosperity is judged to a large
'Competence, Competitive Conscience: the Medium- extent by the status of science and technology of that
Term Plan of the Department of Science and Technology nation.
(1999-2004).
• Science and technology are key drivers to development,
• In 1993, Science and Technology Agenda for National because technological and scientific revolutions underpin
Development (STAND) was established. economic advances, improvement in health systems,
education and infrastructure.
• Among the laws enacted by Congress during President
Ramos' term were the: • Countries which have a strong base in science and
(1) Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel technology are the ones that developed faster. A few
(R.A. 8439);
examples are countries like Japan, Russia, Brazil China, industrialization is very much dependent on the application
and many more. of science and technology.

• It is estimated by the World Bank that seven of the ten

Lesson 3- Government Laws, Policies, Plans and Projects
largest economies of the world by 2020 would be in Asia:
Pertaining to Science and Technology
China, Japan, India, Thailand, South Korea, and Taiwan.

• The role that science and technology has played in • LIDAR(Light Detection and Ranging)- laser light is sent
improving the life of people across the globe is vivid and has from a source (transmitter) and reflected from objects in
made life a lot easier and a lot better with the advancement the scene.
in medicine, remarkable development in education,
communication, agriculture, business and industry. • DIWATA 1- was a Philippine microsatellite launched to
the International Space Station on March 23,2016.
• Science and technology holds the key to the progress and - it was the first Philippine microsatellite and the first
development of any nation. Technology plays a satellite built and designed by Filipinos.
fundamental role in wealth creation, improvement in the
quality of life and real economic growth and transformation • DIWATA 2- which will be launched in 2018 has improved
in any society. the capabilities to better monitor the country. This was
made by another batch of Filipino scientists.
• A nation who is not able to prosper in these aspects would
never be able to sustain its life and may have to depend on • R.A 2067- "Science Act of 1958"-An Act To Integrate,
other nations. Without proper implementation of science Coordinate and Intensify Scientific and Technological
and technology, no nation could grow and all those nations Research and Development and To Foster Invention, To
that were labeled as low in growth have proven where they Provide Funds Therefore and for Other Purposes.
stand today and all that happened because of science and
technology. • R.A. 3589- An Act Amending RA 2067 Modifying the
National Science Development Board, National Institute of
Importance of Science and Technology Science and Technology and the Philippine Atomic Energy
Here are What Science and Technology do for us: Commission, Extending Tax Exemption, Privileges and
• It helps us save time and money. Grants, Requests and Donations for Scientific Purposes to
• Education Private Educational Institutions and For Other Purposes
• Internet enacted June 22, 1963.
• Provides us devices for comfortable sleeping, quick
cooking and fast commute. • R.A. 5207 - An Act Providing for the Licensing and
• It helps us live a better life. Regulation of Atomic Energy Facilities and Materials,
Establishing the Rules of Liability for Nuclear Damage and
for Other Purposes.
Impact of Technology on Society
• Presidential Decree No. 49, s. 1972 established the
• Technology has improved transportation.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical
Services (PAGASA). Its function was to provide
• Technology has improved communication.
environmental protection and to utilize scientific
knowledge to ensure the safety of the people.
• The World Wide Web has proved to be an enormous
information base from which information can be retrieved
• Presidential Decree No. 334, s. 1973 created the
by means of search engines.
Philippine National Oil Company to promote industrial and
economic development through effective and efficient use
• Technology has improved education and the learning
of energy resources.
process.

• R.A. 8749 The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 was

enacted by Congress on June 23, 1999 to protect and
preserve the environment and ensure the sustainable
The Role of Science and Technology in Nation-Building
development of its natural resources.
• Science and technology has been one of the main driving
forces of the economic growth of nations.
• R.A. 8792 An Act Providing for the Recognition and Use of
Electronic Commercial and Non-Commercial Transactions
The Role of Science and Technology in the Developing
and Documents, Penalties for Unlawful Use Thereof and
World in the 21st Century
For Other Purposes passed in June 15, 2000.
• According to Lee Roy Chetty (2012), science and
technology are key drivers to development, because
• R.A. 9367- "Biofuels Act of 2006" - An Act to Direct the Use
scientific and technological revolutions underpin
of Biofuels, Establishing for this Purpose the Biofuel
economic advances, improvements in health systems,
Program, Appropriating Funds Therefore, And For Other
education and infrastructure.
Purposes.

• It is a well-known fact that national progress is highly

• R.A. 9513- The Renewable Act of 2008" was passed by
correlated to the capacity of a country to produce local
Congress to accelerate the development of the country's
industrial goods for domestic needs and that
renewable energy resources by providing fiscal and non-
fiscal incentives to private investors and equipment
manufacturers/fabricators/suppliers.

• R.A. 10175- Philippine Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 • Aristotle

passed September 12, 2012. An Act Defining Cybercrime, - “Happiness depends on ourselves.”
Providing for the Prevention, Investigation, Suppression - claims that happiness is the be all and end all of everything
and the Imposition of Penalties Therefore and For Other that we do
Purposes. - Human flourishing, a kind of contentment in knowing that
one is getting the best out of life
• R.A. 10612- An Act Expanding the Coverage of the Science
and Technology Scholarship Program and Strengthening • John Stuart Mill
the Teaching of Science and Mathematics in Secondary - The Greatest Happiness Principle, attainment of
Schools and For Other Purposes. happiness for the greatest number of people

• R.A. 10844 An Act Creating the Department of Information • Materialism

and Communication Technology (DICT) which was signed - Atomists in Ancient Greece are Democritus and
into law on May 23, 2016. Leucippus

Major Science and Technology Development Plans - universe and matter are only made up of “atomos" or
• Science and Technology Master Plan (STMP) seeds
• Science and Technology Agenda for National
Development (STAND) Philippines 2000 - This belief aims that comfort, pleasure, and wealth are the
• National Science and Technology Plan (NSTP 2002-2020) only highest goals.

• Republic Act 11035- "An Act Institutionalizing the Balik • Hedonism

Scientist Program" was signed into law by the President on - For hedonists, since life is limited, one must indulge itself
June 15, 2018. This law would give more incentives to with pleasures "Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we
returning Filipino experts, scientists, inventors, and die".
engineers who would share their expertise in the country.
- They strive to maximize their total pleasure, the difference
of pleasure and pain, and if the pleasure was finally gained,
Chapter 2- Science, Technology and Society and the
happiness remains fixed.
Human Condition

Lesson 1- The Human Flourishing in terms of Science and • Stoicism

Technology - It was founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium (early 3rd
Eudaimonia- “good spirited” century BC)

- asserts that virtue (e.g. wisdom) is happiness and

Lesson 2- Technology as a Way of Revealing
judgment should be based acts on behavior rather than
Science as Method
words. People do not have any control and must not rely on
1. Observe
external events, only for themselves and their responses.
2. Determine the problem.
3. formulate hypothesis; reject the null hypothesis
- This philosophy, helps a person to overcome destructive
4. Conduct experiment
emotions and acts on what can be acted upon.
5. Formulate conclusion and provide recommendation

• Theism
Science as Methods and Results
- They believe that they can find the meaning of their lives
• Iterative Process- the scientific method that involves
by using God as the creator of their existence.
such backing up and repeating, repeating the steps at any
point during the process.
- Theism is a belief that one or more gods exist within the
universe, and that gods are often omniscient (all- knowing),
• Verification Theory- earliest criterion that distinguishes
omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnipresent (all-
philosophy and science
pervasive).
- This belief incorporates Monotheism (belief in one god)
• Falsification Theory- Karl Popper
and Polytheism (belief in many gods)
- asserts that as long as an ideology is not proven to be false
and can be explain a phenomenon over alternative theories
• Humanism
- affirms that human beings have the right and
• Science as a Social Endeavor- a new school of thought
responsibility to give meaning and shape their own lives.
on the proper demarcation criterion of science emerged.

- humanists see themselves not only as the stewards of

Lesson 3- The Good Life creation but as individuals who have control for themselves
as well as the world outside them.
GOOD is the end goal of practical sciences
What is the ultimate goal of a good life?
TRUTH is the aim of the theoretical sciences
• Aristotle was the originator of the concept of Eudaimonia roles have become so essential that people, more
(from daimon true nature). He deemed happiness to be a specifically Filipinos, developed a strong inclination toward
vulgar idea, stressing that not all desires are worth pursuing technology and its products.
as, even though some of them may yield pleasure, they
would not produce wellness. Aristotle thought that true For instance, television is mainly used as a platform for
happiness is found by leading a virtuous life and doing advertisements and information dissemination. In fact,
what is worth doing. He argued that realizing human television remains to be the most used venue by
potential is the ultimate human goal" (Boniwell 2008). different advertising companies not only in the
Philippines but also all over the world.

Lesson 4- When Technology and Humanity Cross

Robotics and Humanity
Television Sets, Mobile Phones, Computers and • A robot is actuated mechanism programmable in two or
Humanity more axes with degree of autonomy, moving within its
• According to Kantar Media, one of the most trusted environment, to perform intended tasks.
television audience measurement providers in the
Philippines, 92 percent of the urban homes and 70 • A service robot is a robot that performs useful tasks for
percent of rural homes own at least one television set. humans or equipment excluding industrial automation
application.
• It is for this reason why television remains to be the
ultimate medium for advertisement placements (Manila • A personal robot or a service robot for personal use is a
Times, 2014). service robot used for noncommercial task, usually by
laypersons. Examples are domestic servant robot,
• Kantar Media also reported that in the Philippines, the automated wheelchair, personal mobility assist robot and
current count of households with television set already pet exercising robot.
reached 15.135 million (Noda, 2012). Roles Played by Robot
Just like people living in society, robots also have their own
set of rules and characteristics that define what a good a
• More than half of the Filipino population own at least one
robot is. These laws were formulated by Isaac Asimov back
mobile phone regardless of type. In 2010, global research
in the 1940s, when he was thinking of the ethical
agency Synovate conducted a survey and declared 67
consequences of robots.
percent product ownership in the country.
These are the following:

• In fact, it was also claimed that mobile phones are

Law One:
considered a must-have among young Filipinos (ABS-CBN
A robot may not injure a human being or through inaction,
News, 2010).
allow a human being to come to harm.

• To prove that Filipinos really love to use their mobile

Law Two:
phones, the IPos media Atlas Philippines Nationwide Urban
A robot must obey the orders given by human beings except
2011-2012 survey results showed that one in every three
where such orders would conflict with the first law.
Filipinos cannot live without a mobile phone. In other
words, 30 percent of the Philippine urban population
Law Three:
nationwide said that mobile phones are necessities in
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such
life (Roa, 2012).
protection does not conflict with the first and the second
law.
• Mobile phones have a very interesting background story.
On April 3, 1973, Martin Cooper, a senior engineer at
Motorola, made the world's first mobile phone call. Ethical Dilemma/s Faced by Robotics
• One of the ethical dilemmas faced by robots is safety.
• In 1983, Motorola made their first commercial mobile Who should be held accountable if someone's safety is
phone available to the public. It was known as the compromised by a robot? Who should be blamed, the
Motorola Dyna Tac 8000X (Goodwin, 2016) robot, the agent using the robot or the maker/inventor of the
robot?
• It was Charles Babbage, a nineteenth- century English
Mathematician professor, who designed the analytical • Another ethical dilemma faced by robots is the emotional
engine which was used as the basic framework of the component. This may be a little absurd as of the moment,
computers even until the present time. but looking at how fast technology progresses nowadays, it
is not completely impossible for robots to develop
• Laptops have been available to the public for even less emotions (Evans, 2007)
time than personal computers. The first true portable was
released in April 1981. It was called the Osborne 1 (Orfano,
If the problems arise when the robot deviates from the laws
2011).
specified, then the maker or the inventor of the machine
should be blameworthy. It just means that the robot was
Roles Played by These Technological Advancements not programmed very well because it violated the laws.
Television sets, mobile phones, and computers or laptops Other problems may arise when the machine develops
all have different functions and roles played in the lives of the ability to think for itself. In this case, the one that
the people, although some may be a little similar. These should be blamed can be the maker or the inventor and the
robot itself. This is because, in the first place, the maker
gave the robot the capacity to think for itself so he should
be very much aware of its possible consequences. In
addition, since the robot thinks for itself, whatever decision
it makes and whatever consequences it may bring, the
robot itself should be held responsible.