SCIENCE, TECH AND SOCIETY

"to count as significant" (can also be separated into additional steps

such as "to generate prediction" or "to infer from past experiments").
HUMAN FLOURISHING
4. Conduct experiment by setting up dependent and independent
variables, and trying to see how independent ones affect dependent
Eudaimonia ones.
-​ literally "good spirited," 5. Gather and analyze results throughout and upon culmination of the
-​ term coined by renowned Greek philosopher Aristotle to experiment. Examine if the data gathered are significant enough to
describe pinnacle of happiness that is attainable by humans conclude results.
-​ often been translated into "human flourishing" 6. Formulate conclusion and provide recommendation in case others
-​ in literature, arguably likening humans to flowers achieving would want to broaden the study.
their full bloom
-​ Aristotle's human flourishing arises as a result of different Verification Theory
components( phronesis, friendship, wealth, and power. ) -​ The earliest criterion that distinguishes philosophy and
-​ In the Ancient Greek society, they believe that acquiring science is verification theory.
these qualities will surely bring the seekers happiness, which -​ idea proposes that a discipline is science if it can be
in effect allows them to partake in the greater notion of confirmed or interpreted in the event of an alternative
what we call the Good. hypothesis being accepted.
. -​ theory gives premium to empiricism and only takes into
Competition as a means of survival has become passé; coordination account those results which are measurable and
is the new trend. experiments which are repeatable.
-​ was espoused by a movement in the early 20th century
western civilization tends to be more focused on the individual called the Vienna Circle, believed that only those which can
Human flourishing as an end then is primarily more of a concern be observed should be regarded as meaningful and reject
East are more community-centric. H those which cannot be directly accessed as meaningless.
-​ Initially, this proved to be attractive due to general
Human flourishing as an end then is primarily more of a concern for consensus from people, who happened to see for
western civilizations over eastern ones. This is not to discredit our themselves how the experiment occurred, solidifying its
kinsfolk from the east; perhaps in their view, the community takes the validity and garnering supporters from esteemed figures.
highest regard that the individual should sacrifice himself for the sake -​ Its shortcomings proved to be a somewhat too risky-several
of the society. This is apparent in the Chinese Confucian system or the budding theories that lack empirical results might be shot
Japanese Bushido, both of which view the whole as greater than their down prematurely, causing slower innovation and punishing
components. The Chinese and the Japanese encourage studies of ingenuity of newer, novel thoughts.
literature, sciences, and art, not entirely for oneself but in service of a -​ Einstein's theory on the existence of gravitational waves
greater cause. The would, following this thought, be dismissed due to lack of
evidence almost a hundred years ago. Quantum mechanics
Greek Aristotelian view aims for eudaimonia as the ultimate good; would not have prospered if the scientific society during the
time of Edwin Schrödinger did not entertain his outrageous
Flourishing borders allowed people full access to cultures that as a thought that the cat in the box is both dead and alive, which
result, very few are able to maintain their original philosophies. It is in can only be determined once you look in the box yourself.
this regard that we would tackle human flourishing-in a global -​ completely fails to weed out bogus arguments that explain
perspective and as a man of the world. things coincidentally. A classic example is astrology, whose
followers are able to employ the verification method in
Science, Technology, and Human Flourishing ascertaining its reliability.
Human flourishing is relevant as a tool in achieving the former or -​ American philosopher Thomas Kuhn warned us against
echoing Heidegger's statement, technology is a human activity that bridging the gap between evidence and theory by
we excel in as a result of achieving science. Suffice to say that the end attempting to interpret the former according to our own
goals of both science and technology and human flourishing are biases, that is, whether or not we subscribe to the theory.
related, in that the good is inhereatly related to the truth. The following Below is a short story illustrating this point:
are two concepts about science which ventures its claim on truth.
Science as Method and Results
Scie reputation stems from the objectivity brought upon by an Falsification Theory
arbitrary, rigid methodology whose very character absolves it from -​ current prevalent methodology in science
any accusation of prejudice. Such infamy effectively raised science in -​ asserts that as long as an ideology is not proven to be false
a pedestal untouchable by other institutions-its sole claim to reason and can best explain a phenomenon over alternative
and empiricism garnering supporters who want to defend it and its theories, we should accept the said ideology.
ways. -​ Due to its hospitable character, the shift to this theory
allowed emergence of theories otherwise rejected by
Scientific Method. Even though the number of steps varies, it presents verification theory.
a general idea of how to do science: -​ does not promote ultimate adoption of one theory but
1. Observe and determine if there are unexplained occurrences instead encourages research in order to determine which
unfolding. among the theories can stand the test of falsification.
2. Determine the problem and identify factors involved. -​ The strongest one is that which is able to remain upheld
3. Through past knowledge of similar instance, formulate hypothesis amidst various tests, while being able to make particularly
that could explain the said phenomenon. Ideally, the goal is to reject risky predictions about the world.
the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis for the study
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-​ Karl Popper is the known proponent of this view. was requires one to excel in various dimensions, such as linguistic, kinetic, artistic, and
notorious for stating that up-and-coming theories of the socio-civic. Thus, he understands that he should not focus on one aspect alone.

time, such as Marx's Theory of Social History and Sigmund

Freud's Psychoanalysis, are not testable and thus not How Much Is Too Much?9o
falsifiable, and subsequently questioning their status as Millennium Development Goals (MDG) that targets eight concerns,
scientific. one of which states that they should be able to forge a global
-​ Although the majority of scientists nowadays are more partnership for development.
inclined to be Popperian in their beliefs, this theory, similar proceed with STS in nation building so they develop programs.
to the theory above, presents certain dangers by
interpreting an otherwise independent evidence in light of NOTES
their pet theory.

Science as a Social Endeavor Human Flourishing achieve an effort to self-actualization in the

-​ Due to inconciusiveness of the methodologies previously larger context of an individual
cited, a new school of thought on the proper demarcation Abraham Moslow’s
criterion of science emerged. Theory of Motivation/Hierarchy of Needs
-​ Several philosophers Paul Thagard, Imre Lakatos, Helen
Longino, David Bloor, and Richard Rorty, among others, The five levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs
presented an alternative demarcation that explores the Physiological needs: most basic needs for survival, such as food,
social dimension of science and effectively, technology. water, shelter, and sleep
-​ Sciences cease to belong solely to gown-wearing, Safety needs: need for personal security, financial stability, health,
bespectacled scientists at laboratories. and protection against and illness
-​ it presents an alternative notion that goes beyond the Love and belonging: The need for interpersonal relationships,
boundaries of cold, hard facts of science and instead affiliating, connectedness, and being part of a group
projects it in a different light, such as a manifestation of Esteem needs: need for respect from others and the need for respect
shared experience forging solidarity over communities. from oneself
Self-actualization needs: desire to realize your potential,
Science and Results self-fulfillment, self-development, and peak experiences
-​ science is not the only discipline which is able to produce
results-religion, luck, and human randomness are some of the highest attainment or the ultimate goal of human is happiness
its contemporaries in the field. according to Aristotle
-​ For some communities without access to science, they can
turn to divination and superstition and still get the same in good life, hindi lang ikaw like yung sauo masaya ka tapos yung iba
results. Science is not entirely foolproof, such that it is masaya rin
correct 100% of the time.
-​ Weather reports, for one, illustrate fallibility and limitations there's different perspectives in happiness and flourishing
of their scope, as well as their inability to predict disasters.
The best that can be done during an upcoming disaster is to 3 definitions of happy according to different field
reinforce materials to be more calamity proof and restore 1.​ Psychologist - Happiness is a mental or emotional state of
the area upon impact. It can be then corcluded that science wellbeing which can be defined by many others positive or
does not monopolize the claim for definite results. pleasant emotion ranging for contentment or intense joy
2.​ Behaviorist - Happiness is a cocktail of emotions or used
Science as Education experience, when we do something good or positive
-​ there is no such thing as a singular scientific method, 3.​ Neurologist - Explained the experience of flood of hormones
offering instead a variety of procedures that scientists can released on the brain
experiment with to get results and call them science
-​ Discoveries in physics, specifically in quantum mechanics, neurotransmitter - signals the brain to release such hormones
appeared to have debunked the idea of objectivity in Happy hormones
reality, subscribing instead to alternative idea called ●​ serotonin (mood (happiness) calmness
intersubjectivity. ●​ dopamine - reward, pleasure, motivation

2 views of happiness
How is science perceived by those who graduated from this field? 1.​ Hedonistic view - is the polar experience opposite of
suggests that the aforementioned kind of academic environment has made suffering the presence of happiness indicate the absence of
students unwelcoming of objections against science. It will thus reinforce their pain, because of this hedonist believed that the purpose of
imagination and allow some level of unorthodoxy, bringing forth novel discoveries life is to maximise happiness and minimise misery
that otherwise would not be considered had they stuck to the default
2.​ Eudaimonia view - good spirited and focuses more on
methodology. Innovations are brought forth by the visionaries, not the prude
becoming better person coined by aristotle describe the
legalists, and several notable figures in science even consider themselves as
outsiders. pinnacle of happiness that is attainable by human

If one is really in pursuit of human flourishing, it would make sense for them to Characteristics of Human Flourishing
pursue it holistically. Simply mastering science and technology would be 1.​ All humans aim to flourish -
inadequate if we are to, say, socialize with people or ruminate on our inner self. 2.​ Human flourishing putting into one's action, capacities,
Aristotle's cudaimonie person is required to be knowledgeable about science,
capabilities and virtue
among other things of equal importance. They are supposed to possess
3.​ Human Flourishing depends on free will
intellectual virtues that will enable them to determine truth from falsehood or
good reasoning from poor reasoning. A true eudaimon recognizes that flourishing 4.​ Human Flourishing is sustained overtime
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5.​ Human flourishing involves doing well in a broad domain of Practical Sciences:
human life ●​ Good
●​ Aim: Guiding human action and societal structure for
Nicomachean Ethics well-being.
-​ considers the nature of human action and ethics, rooted in ●​ Examples: Ethics, Politics.
the concept of eudaimonia, often translated as happiness.
However, it means the highest good, that which humans Aristotle’s teaching on Happiness
seek for its own sake and not for the sake of something else. -For Aristotle, eudaimonia—is the highest goal of life.
-​ lecture notes of Aristotle
-​ compilation of lecture notes Comparison with Plato’s Ideas
-​ turned into 10 books -​ Plato and Aristotle had very different views on reality. Plato
believed in two worlds: the world of forms, where perfect
Nicomacheus - Aristotle's son and unchanging ideas exist, and the world of matter, which
is full of imperfect copies. For him, everything we see in this
Components of Human Flourishing world is just a reflection of a perfect version that exists in
1.​ Phronesis - practical wisdom or advice the world of forms. He also saw change as problematic
2.​ Power - because, despite physical changes, things retain their
3.​ Wealth essence.
4.​ Friendship -​ Aristotle rejected the idea of a separate world of forms. He
believed that reality is based on what we can observe and
Principles of Human flourishing experience. Unlike Plato, he saw change as a natural
1.​ dignity of the human person - respect process and argued that everything starts with potential
2.​ common good - sacrifice self interest to provide for the and moves toward actuality. For Aristotle, change is not a
basic human needs of everyone to make the whole flaw in reality but an essential part of how things grow and
community flourishing develop.
3.​ preferential option for the poor - when decisions are made
by first considering the poor The Personal Motivation and Understanding of each person's
4.​ stewardship of creation - duty to care for the earth and a purpose
gift of personal responsibility0 -​ According to Aristotle, every person has a purpose (telos)
that guides their actions. Every choice we make is directed
toward a goal, whether small or big. Simple actions, like
WATERMILL VILLAGE
eating, are driven by immediate needs, while bigger life
decisions, like pursuing a career, are motivated by
Central Theme long-term aspirations. Ultimately, all these lead to the
-​ Story depicts the difference between the current life and pursuit of happiness. To achieve true fulfillment, a person
before must strive to reach their full potential by making choices
-​ Importance of nature that align with their purpose and contribute to a meaningful
-​ Rely on technology innovations life.
-​ Current life is not sustainable ensure happiness
-​ Technology cannot ensure happiness HAPPINESS AS THE GOAL OF A GOOD LIFE
-​ Can't' live w/o nature
Utilitarianism
Symbols and it means -​ In the eighteenth century, John Stuart Mill declared the
-​ Respect to the traveller as it dies Greatest Happiness Principle by saying that an action is
-​ Celebration of burial ceremony right as long as it maximizes the attainment of happiness
for the greatest number of people. At that time people were
skeptical about claims on the metaphysical, and they could
THE GOOD LIFE not make sense of the human flourishing that Aristotle used
to talk about in the days of old. That's when Mill said that
Good life as eudaimonia or human flourishing achieved thr living the happiness of each individual should be prioritized and
virtuously according to reason. collectively dictates the kind of action that should be
endorsed.
Eudaimonia - ultimate good that is uniquely human -​ Consider the pronouncements against mining. When an
Pleasure, wealth, and fame do not constitute a good liffe action benefits the greatest number of people, said action is
deemed ethical. Does mining benefit rather than hurt the
Plato perspective majority? Does it offer more benefits rather than
-​ The necessity of inner knowledge for a flourishing soul. disadvantages? Does mining result in more people getting
-​ Emphasis on the link between self-understanding and happy rather than sad? If the answers to the said questions
understanding the world. are in the affirmative, then the said action, mining, is
deemed ethical. The Ethical is, of course, meant to lead us
Aristotle to a good and happy life.
Theoretical Sciences: -​ History has given birth to different schools of thought, all of
●​ Truth which aim for a good and happy life.
●​ Aim: Accurate understanding of reality.
●​ Examples: Logic, Biology, Physics, Metaphysics.
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Materialism Human Condition Before the Common Era

-​ The first materialists were the atomists in Ancient Greece. Homo erectus - began to use fire to cook their friction through friction
Democritus and Leucippus led a school whose primary and heat (chipping of stones to create spark).
belief is that the world is made up of and is controlled by Homo sapiens - during the Stone Age sharpen stones to make knife (a
the tiny indivisible units in the world called atomos or sample of simple machine called wedge).
seeds. For Democritus and his disciples, the world, including
human beings, is made up of matter. There is no need to
posit immaterial entities as sources of purpose. Atomos The Human Condition in the Common Era
simply come together randomly to form the things in the -​ earliest date of human extinction occurred over 12, 000
world. As such, only material entities matter. So they believe years ago possibly due to hunting and territorial disputes
that In terms of human flourishing, matter is what makes us and natural disasters.
attain happiness. We see this at work with most people who -​ sso called "sixth extinction" or the Halocene extinction
are clinging on to material wealth as the primary source of (anthropocene extinction) occurred from as early as
the meaning of their existence. between 100, 000 to 200, 000 years up to the present.
-​ advancements in medicine, technology, health, and
Hedonism education have significantly improved human life compared
-​ The hedonists, for their part, see the end goal of life in to past centuries. Key comparisons between then and now
acquiring pleasure. Pleasure has always been the priority of
hedonists. For them, life is about obtaining and indulging in ●​ Mortality Rate – Technology has reduced infant and
pleasure because life is limited. The mantra of this school of maternal deaths, ensuring stronger populations and
thought is the famous, "Eat, drink, and be merry for healthier mothers.
tomorrow we die." Led by Epicurus, this school of thought ●​ Average Lifespan – Science has extended life expectancy by
also does not buy any notion of afterlife just like the reducing deaths from combat and disease through
materialists. improved living conditions and medical discoveries.
●​ Literacy Rate – Greater access to education has led to a
Stoicism more informed society capable of making just decisions.
-​ school of thought led by Epicurus, the stoics espoused the ●​ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – High productivity and
idea that to generate happiness, one must learn to distance technological advancements contribute to economic
oneself and be apathetic. The original term, apatheia, growth, increasing national wealth.
precisely means to be indifferent. For the stoics, happiness The Essence of Technology
can only be attained by a careful practice of apathy. We It cannot be denied that science and technology are responsible
should, in this worldview, adopt the fact that some things for the ways society is continuously being modernized. In order to
are not within our control. The sooner we realize this, the spark the discussion on the role of ethics and social morality in science
happier we can become. and technology, it is necessary to go back to the very essence of
technology, its definition.
Theism 1.​ Technology is a means to an end. (Instrumental)
-​ described as belief that one or more gods exist. In this Technology is not an end in itself; it is a means to an end.
way, theism is the belief that all things that exist and are Technology is viewed as a tool available to individuals,
finite dependent upon the existence of one or more groups and communities that desire to make an impact to
supreme, divine entities. society. Technology is an instrument aimed at getting
things done.
Humanism 2.​ Technology is a human activity. (Anthropological)
-​ trusts to the scientific method when it comes to Technology can also be defined as a human activity
understanding how the universe works and rejects the idea because to achieve an end and to produce and use a means
of the supernatural (and is therefore an atheist or agnostic to an end is, by itself, a human activity. The production or
-​ makes their ethical decisions based on reason, empathy, invention of technological equipment, tools and machines,
and a concern for human beings and other sentient animal the products and inventions, the purpose of and functions
believes that, in the absence of an afterlife and any they serve are what define technology. Both definitions are
discernible purpose to the universe, human beings can act correct. However, neither touches in the essence of
to give their own lives meaning by seeking happiness in this technology
life and helping others to do the same.
Martin Heidegger
-​ German philosopher and a seminal thinker in the
continental tradition of philosophy.
-​ widely acknowledged to be one of the most original and
TECHNOLOGY AS WAY OF REVEALING
important philosophers of the 20th century.
-​ wrote an essay entitled "The Question Concerning
Generation Gap Technology" which addresses modern technology and its
-​ attributed mainly to the changes brought about by essence as an instrumental way of revealing the world.
technology. Though the main idea why technology
progresses are to help everyone in their daily living, there Heidegger's View on the Essence of Technology
are still individuals who are not comfortable in using various 1.​ Technology is not something we make; it is a mode of being
types of technological products. or of revealing.
2.​ People do not normally think of as technological
3.​ primarily a matter of modern and industrial technology.
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4.​ Technology is not simply the practical application of natural

science.

Heidegger's Two Characteristics of Modern Technology as a

Revealing Process
The mode of revealing modern technology is challenging
-​ Things are revealed of brought forth by challenging or
demanding them. It is putting to nature the unreasonable
demand that it supply energy that can be extracted and
stored. It sees nature as an object manipulation and not
anymore as autonomous reality demanding respect and
admiration. The network of things is now reduced into the
network of manipulation.
Modern technology as a revealing process is that of challenging
-​ which bring forth the energy of nature as
"expediting."Expediting- means to hasten the movement of
something.

Heidegger's "En-framing as the Essence Of Modern Technology"

en-framing
-​ Simply means putting into the frame of modern technology
is the network of interlocking things standing in reserve.
-​ world centered or man's caprices and demands.
-​ world of manipulation and demystification and here,
nothing is mysterious anymore.
-​ En-framing is what Heidegger is afraid of, that the process
of truth will reveal to the realm of erring. It must be
remembered that for truth to be, it must retain its sense of
mystery.

Technology as way of revealing

-​ He strongly opposes the view that technology is “a means
to an end” or “a human activity.” Both definition are indeed
“correct”, but do not go deep enough; as he says, they are
not yet “true.” Since the essence of a tree is not itself a tree,
he points out, so the essence of technology is not anything
technological. What, then, is technology, if it is neither a
means to an end nor a human activity? Technology,
according to Heidegger must be understood as “a way of
revealing” (Heidegger 1977, 12)

Backtrack - to retrace the past

Martin Heidegger in his essays “The question concerning technology”
defined as a way of revealing

1.Traditional technology - a form of techs that align with art and

craftmanship working in harmony with nature
2. modern technology - a forceful mode of revealing that treats
nature as a reserve reduce it to something to be controlled and
explored

Martin Heidegger - German ohilopher who contributes in the field of

phenomenology, hermeneutics and exetensialism.

views of happiness

cardinal virtues
●​ courage
●​ temperance
●​ justice
●​ wisdom