SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

Palompon
Institute of
Technology

A Learning Material for

GEC 8
Science, Technology,
and Society
Lyka Jane Y. Castillote
Ana Marifel L. Pogosa
Jason G. Tuang-tuang

College of
Arts and Sciences

Mathematics and Science

2020
Department
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SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

Topic 7:
When Technology and Humanity Cross

Learning Objectives
Key Terms
After successful completion of this module, you
should be able to:

 list examples of technology and give their risks

and benefits to humanity;

 examine some technological advancements and

ethical issues they entail; and

 discuss the interplay between technology and

humanity.

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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.

Great work! Now let’s proceed to the next section of this module.

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Presentation of Contents

W
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
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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 dissemination. 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.

Figure 7. Man watching his own television at home.

© https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/home/the-waiting-room/binge-watching-tv-and-its-effects-on-sleep/

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 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 asses. Additionally, it is very portable and convenient because it can fit into any
space, may it be inside the pocket or bag.

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Figure 8. A student using his own cellphone to access a mobile app.

© https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44401660

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.

Figure 9. A man using his own laptop to view some videos.

© https://www.mockupblast.com/psd/man-using-laptop-mockup

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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 different websites without restrictions. This allows them to see, read, or hear things which are
not suitable for their very young age. This makes 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

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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 Initiative-Germany
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 not in their
proper places will be moved to where they belong.

Figure 10. A man handshaking with a Robot.

© https://www.123rf.com/profile_willyambradberry

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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 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

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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

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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.

Application
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 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.

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.

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:

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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.

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

1. From the graphic organizer you completed at the very start of this section, choose one technology in

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each category and give their risks and benefits as regards to their purpose. Explain briefly each
point you included.

Summary

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?

Feedback
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 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

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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.

References

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?

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

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

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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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