UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

COLLEGE OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Tourism Management Department

STS

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

Science Outcomes-based Unified Project (SOUP)

Submitted by:
4TOM1 - GROUP 7
Abalos, Angelina Mae
Escala, Allyne Isabel D.
Granado, Gianne Ghyl
Mabilin, Garl Adrianne
Magno, Nicole Adrienne C.

March 22, 2024

 UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
COLLEGE OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
Tourism Management Department

I. Background/Rationale of the Societal/Environmental Issue

The technocratic paradigm can be defined as a way of thinking which tends to see
the world with problems that need constant solution; however, it can only be resolved
through the decisions of experts (DeCosse & Green, 2015). Today, with the
advancements in technology, it is almost seen in every aspect of an individual’s everyday
life. Technology contributed in a way which created a more efficient and accessible
society. Through smartphones, Wi-Fis, and the internet of things, individuals have
become more connected to information as well as each other. Nevertheless, despite being
able to address societal problems and improve some of our systems, it is undeniable that
technology also gives rise to extreme issues, particularly when users are abusing and
exploiting these advancements. Despite the significant contributions to development, it
may also be a source of harm for the lives of individuals, society, and the environment.

While embracing and depending on science, the Church's Social Teaching

criticizes scientism because according to St. John Paul II, this way of thinking tries to
convince us that anything that is technically possible is also ethically acceptable. Pope
Francis is quite critical of the technocratic paradigm because he believes it distorts our
understanding of reality and causes us to make mistakes in our relationships with the
outside world, both technically and morally. He argues that because of exploitative
technology, humans become limited with their decisions, freedom, and space for
creativity (Storck, n.d.). Hence, the dangers of the said paradigm affects everyone
globally considering that science and technology is a worldwide phenomenon.

There are two sustainable development goals that are interrelated with the issue of
technocratic paradigm namely SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Technology and SDG
11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. SDG 9 from its name, highlights the need to
strengthen industries, innovations, and infrastructures so that it could improve the lives of
the people and bring positive impacts to the society. Technology is undeniably helpful in
boosting the economy, enhancing the quality of education and healthcare, and enhancing
the capabilities of the government. This SDG empowers technology because it is an
essential tool in solving societal problems and achieving the rest of the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals. SDG 11 talks about having sustainable cities and communities by
making them inclusive and progressive. Similarly to the 9th SDG, this sustainable
development goal emphasizes the importance of technology and innovation in order to
fulfill this goal’s objectives. With technological innovation, it will be possible to improve
infrastructures needed by people such as roads, hospitals, schools, markets which will be
useful especially for those living in rural communities. Both goals are connected to the
concept of technocratic paradigm because they are utilizing technology and innovation to
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address different problems that our society faces today. For these goals to be achieved,
collaboration between the government, organizations, and communities should be done to
come up with possible solutions that different technologies could do to have more
resilient and sustainable communities.

II. Science and Technological principles applied

The technocratic paradigm originated during the Industrial Revolution in the 18th
and 19th centuries, when technological advancements and scientific discoveries
significantly transformed societies, economies, and governance structures. Engineers,
scientists, and experts played crucial roles in driving these changes, leading to a growing
belief in technical expertise in managing complex systems. The post-war era saw the rise
of Keynesian economics, a technocratic paradigm focused on government intervention
and economic planning, as governments worldwide sought to rebuild their economies and
societies.

The technocratic paradigm issue results from the increasing complexity of modern
societies and governance systems, which require specialized knowledge and expertise to
address complex challenges. Rapid technological advancements and scientific inquiry
have increased the importance of technical expertise in policy shaping and innovation.
Historical events like the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and World War II
have reinforced the efficacy of technocratic approaches in governance structures.
However, this dominance has raised concerns about democratic accountability, social
equity, and the exclusion of diverse perspectives from policy discourse, highlighting the
need for a balanced approach that integrates expertise with broader societal values and
participation.

The technocratic paradigm can be traced back to the idea that science and
technology are the ultimate solutions to human problems. This belief has been around for
centuries, but it has become more prominent in recent times with the development of new
technologies. Another reason for the rise of the technocratic paradigm is the fear of
Luddism, which is the belief that technology is a threat to jobs and traditional ways of
life. In the early 19th century, Luddites protested the development of new machinery that
they believed would put them out of work. Today, some people are concerned about the
impact of automation on jobs.

The technocratic paradigm prioritizes quantification, manipulation, and

innovation without considering the impact on the natural world and human relationships.
The over-reliance on technocratic paradigm for environmental solutions disregards
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ethical considerations and the natural world's intrinsic value, as it focuses on efficiency
and productivity at the expense of other values, such as human relationships and the
environment. For instance, some technologies can be addictive, lead to social isolation,
and have negative environmental consequences, such as deforestation and pollution.
Another problem with the technocratic paradigm is that it can give too much power to
experts and decision-makers. When people believe that technology is the answer to all
issues, they may be more willing to defer to experts who claim to have the knowledge
and skills to solve those problems, which can lead to a lack of public participation in
decision-making about technology.

III. Societal issues

Throughout the years, the issue of whether technology is good or bad has always
been a debated topic. The technocratic paradigm stems from the belief that technological
innovation can address any problem, including those that previous or ongoing
advancements in technology have brought about, such as the following:

1. Uncontrolled Consumerism (SDG 12)

With technological advancement and innovations, any industry can attain

immediate manufacturing. This is the great mistake made “when technology is
allowed to take over”; the result is a confusion between ends and means” (Okey,
2021). Since consumerism has taken hold in our culture, it has shaped our values,
goals, and wants in ways that frequently leave us feeling unhappy, disconnected,
and unsatisfied. Considering the positive and negative effects, the government has
enforced policies and regulations to control the adverse effects of consumerism
within the society, such as waste and pollution. Also, Goal 12 of the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development outlines the duties and measures that must be taken
to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns adopted by several
parties, such as businesses, governments, and consumers.

When it comes to the environmental impact, a number of laws and policies

have lowered the harm to the environment by reducing waste and emissions and
enhancing resource management. Also, consumer behavior has changed due to
education and awareness efforts, and more individuals are embracing
environmentally friendly practices and making more informed purchase decisions.
However, there were also negative results. An example of this is what they call
“Greenwashing,” where companies involve exaggerating or misrepresenting
environmental credentials to appeal to consumers (Panek, n.d.). According to a
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recent survey, at least 66% of consumers are willing to pay more for goods from
companies that practice environmental responsibility. Among young people, the
percentage is even higher at 73%. However, one investigation carried out in
Europe demonstrated that 42% of environmental claims made by businesses were
either misleading, inaccurate, or overstated, suggesting an increasing tendency to
greenwashing at the commercial level. Companies are placed in a dangerous
situation by tricking customers into purchasing a company's goods or services.
Greenwashing may initially increase revenues for that business. But, they can also
lose their consumer's loyalty and trust and may even face penalties for having
false claims about the product.

2. Increasing Rate of Unemployment (SDG 11)

Employment rates may be impacted by the technocratic paradigm, which

is defined as an increase in the use of technology and automation across a range
of industries. One of the Issues with sustainable cities and communities in the
Philippines is the increasing rate of unemployment. In the Philippines, Agriculture
(1.2 million jobs), wholesale/retail (880,000 jobs), and manufacturing (380,000
jobs) account for the majority of jobs that require shifting. There will be 4.5
million job losses overall or more than 10% of the total and over the next ten
years, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) will likely cause a severe
reduction in the number of workers, especially in labor-intensive and low-skilled
agricultural jobs (Camus, 2019).

Although the technocratic paradigm can result in higher levels of

efficiency and productivity for companies and other businesses, it also has
negative effects on employment. To address these issues, specific efforts must be
made to guarantee that workers possess the skills required for the future economy
and that laws protecting people affected by technological development are in
place. Governments and society have taken many kinds of measures to counteract
the rising unemployment rate brought about by the technocratic paradigm, such as
giving free training and programs to support employees in gaining the skills
required by today's modern economy. Second, raising awareness of the economic
significance of sustainable urban development and the job opportunities it offers
across various industries. Lastly, through implementing the objectives of
Sustainable Development Goal 11 into current national and local frameworks and
policies addressing employment, urban development, and sustainability.
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COLLEGE OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
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3. Resource Depletion (SDG 11)

Overexploitation of natural resources, like water, forests, and minerals,

can result from the technocratic paradigm's reliance on production and efficiency,
which are critical for economic expansion. Cities are the settings where the
majority of these changes take place, making them the areas where the problem of
sustainability is both crucial and challenging (Tontondo et al., 2020). According
to the United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population
Division, Cities and urban areas in general are expanding at a rapid pace. Over
55% of the world's population today lives in urban areas, and by 2050, this
percentage is predicted to increase to 68%. To support the activities of its
residents, cities need huge quantities of raw materials, food, energy, and natural
resources, much like living organisms do (European Environmental Agency,
2015).

To encourage the preservation and sustainable use of natural resources,

governments have put laws and regulations into place. This involves regulating
the extraction rate, safeguarding important habitats, and encouraging
environmentally friendly practices and farming procedures. Also, many sectors
have undertaken efforts to increase resource efficiency. This involves encouraging
reuse and recycling, investing in greener manufacturing methods, and reducing
the amount of waste. 0As a result, policies being implemented that support
biodiversity preservation and the sustainable use of natural resources have
contributed to the protection of important ecosystems. However, there are also
negative results or challenges upon implementing it such as some lack of
cooperation or resistance from stakeholders.

4. Overdependence on Technology (SDG 9)

There is no doubt that technology is a boon to our society because it

makes our lives easier. With just a click on our smartphones, we can already buy
what we want in e-commerce sites or get the information that we’re looking for in
google. Despite being seen as a positive thing because technology is easily
accessible by almost everyone in the world, we must also realize that it also has
its disadvantages. One of the problems associated with technology is that people
become over-reliant on it. It is being viewed as an addiction, and it negatively
affects our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. According to the data
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from a study by Pennsylvania State University (2015), 77% of its respondents

believe that our society is heavily reliant on technology in order to succeed. But
we need to recognize that if we do not utilize it appropriately, it will bring
negative impacts in our lives. A very timely example of the downside of being too
dependent on technology is that it affects the way students think and learn. With
the rising popularity of AI tools like Chat GPT, it allowed students to use it to
help them finish their schoolworks faster and easier. However, by relying on
those, it stops them from using their own ideas and skills which completely
affects their intellectual abilities. Moreover, by utilizing AI tools excessively, their
works become more prone to plagiarism and misinformation which will result in
them getting low marks at school.

In order to solve people’s over-dependence on technology before it

becomes a serious problem in our society, experts are doing different ways to help
address it. The first solution is through social media detoxification programs that
allows participants to disconnect from their gadgets and social media accounts,
and practice self-reflection. Another solution is integrating digital literacy to the
lessons in schools so that even at a young age, children would be able to learn the
harmful effects of technology addiction and not grow up into adults who rely too
much on technology. Experts also recommend doing more activities that are not
done virtually because it lets people to lessen their usage of their gadgets and
form meaningful and realistic connections with others that are physically present
with them. Those initiatives have a good effect among people because it lets them
“disconnect” from the online realm and focus on the real world. Moreover, by
knowing about digital literacy, people become more aware of the dangers of using
the internet excessively and help them make better decisions online. Lastly,
engaging in real-world activities boosts mental health and social connections.

5. Digital Divide (SDG 9)

According to an online article by Investopedia (2023), the digital divide is

defined as the gap between those who can connect to the internet and those who
use it through their gadgets such as smartphones and computers. It can also be
described as the division between the digitally literate and the digitally illiterate. It
is also present between men and women; based on the data in 2022, 38% of the
world’s male population doesn’t have internet access, while it’s 43% of the female
population. The digital divide has been an ongoing problem in undeveloped
countries over the past few years. Despite the constant technological advances,
some are still getting left behind. The reason why there is a digital divide is
 UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
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primarily because of lack of education, generational gap, financial instability,

gender inequality, cultural differences, and corruption. Many view this problem as
the result of poor economic growth in some countries. An alarming data from
2022 revealed that only 22% of African countries are connected to the internet.

Not having access to the internet and gadgets could negatively impact our
society. One of its impacts is less social interactions. We all know how useful
messaging apps are, such as the Facebook Messenger, especially during the
pandemic when we were all confined to our homes and physical interaction was
discouraged to stop the spread of Covid 19. We maximized the use of these online
platforms to connect with our peers that we couldn’t see physically. With many
people in different parts of the world that lack access to the internet, it is difficult
for them to have communication with their loved ones that are far from them.
Also, now that we mostly get news from the internet, those who don’t have access
to it miss out on what is currently happening in the society. Another impact of the
digital divide is people who are not digitally knowledgeable are more prone to
become victims of cybercrime. Because there are many who don’t know how to
use ICT tools, they will be more vulnerable to fake news, online scams, identity
theft etc. The digital divide likewise impacts the quality of education that students
receive. When schools worldwide shifted online, there were many students who
couldn’t attend their online classes regularly because they didn't have a good
internet connection or an access to it. According to the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (2023), in some rural states in the USA, the reason why
there are students who can’t connect to the internet is because it is unaffordable.
The digital divide also brings negative impacts to the economy because it hinders
those who are not digitally knowledgeable to get good paying jobs since being
“computer literate” is one of the major requirements in applying for a job
nowadays. Also without access to the internet, it is hard for them to find job
listings as it is now mostly done in job posting sites.

In order to widen the gap of the digital divide the United Nations and other
organizations worldwide have made some initiatives that are in line with SDG 9:
Industry, Innovation, Infrastructure. These initiatives focus on expanding access
to technology and internet connectivity in underserved communities, particularly
in developing countries. Efforts include building infrastructure such as broadband
networks and improving digital literacy through education and training programs.
Additionally, initiatives promote innovation in technology to create affordable and
accessible solutions for all populations. By addressing the digital divide and
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promoting inclusive access to technology, these initiatives contribute to achieving

SDG 9 and strengthening global economic growth and development.

IV. Plan of Action

PLAN OF ACTION

Pillars Basic Concept Principal Actions

Economy Creating sustainable ➔ Supporting sustainable

industries that will be the new procedures for
core of today's economy production and
consumption while
addressing global issues
like biodiversity loss
and the effects of
climate change
➔ For businesses and
companies, creating
measures to track and
evaluate the company's
sustainability
performance, then
utilize the results to
guide its continued
growth.
➔ Create inclusive
processes of
decision-making that
take into account many
different types of
viewpoints, including
those from minority
groups, to guarantee
that advancements in
technology benefit
every member of the
community.
➔ Support actions that
lessen waste production,
like reducing packaging,
encouraging product
recycling materials.)
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Invest in education and ➔ Provide affordable

training for the future access to higher
workforce education and lifelong
learning opportunities to
keep workers adaptable
in a changing job
market.
➔ Partner with businesses
to identify future
workforce needs and
develop targeted
training programs for
critical skills.
➔ Emphasize soft skills
training alongside
technical skills, such as
critical thinking,
communication, and
problem-solving, to
prepare workers for a
more automated future.

Environment Implementing policies that ➔ Promote recycling to

support biodiversity reduce waste pollution.
preservation and the ➔ Develop more robust
sustainable use of natural policies and
resources to contribute to the implementation for
protection of ecosystems. businesses or
organizations that lack
enforcement and resist
the shift to green
practices.
➔ Develop and implement
sustainable urban
planning and design
practices such as
supporting
Transit-Oriented
Development that
decreases the use of
automobiles and
encourages
environmentally
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friendly transportation
alternatives.

Promoting sustainable ➔ Encourage businesses to

resource management adopt production
methods that minimizes
waste and maximizes
resource utilization.
➔ Provide government
subsidies and tax breaks
for research and
development of
renewable energy
technologies such as
solar, wind, and
geothermal.
➔ Develop green building
codes that promote
energy efficiency and
sustainable construction
practices.

Society Creation of equal job ➔ Providing training and

opportunities by providing programs for upskilling.
support to people who have ➔ Giving unemployment
been displaced by benefits, retraining
technological advancements. programs, and job
placement services to
provide a financial
safety net for people.
➔ Promote Green Job
initiatives that
encourage governments,
businesses, and labor
organizations to
collaborate to develop
relevant policies and
initiatives to bring about
a fair and sustainable
transformation that will
result in green jobs and
decent work for all.

Prioritize Human-Centered ➔ Establish clear

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Design by integrating user communication

participation in the channels between
technology design process to developers and users,
ensure technological solutions and incorporate the user
meet social needs. feedback throughout the
development process.
➔ Ensure that all
technologies focus on
accessibility catering to
users with diverse needs
and abilities, such as
screen readers, closed
captions, and alternative
input methods.
➔ Promote research on
psychological and social
impacts of technology
use.

V. Concept Map
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With the continuous advancements in technology,

This figure illustrates the proposed plan of action that

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