Historical Developments of Science,

Technology and Society.

Lesson Objectives:

1. Identify the interaction between science and

technology.

2. Describe the impact of science and

technology to society throughout the history.
What is STS?
Defining Science and Technology
Science, Technology and Society (STS)
The intellectual roots of STS lie in the history,
philosophy, and social study of science and technology,
an arena where often-controversial issues and choices
interface with values and influence public policy. The
STS program maintains a full slate of guest speakers,
often co-sponsored by other departments, for the benefit
of students and the larger community.
 On a personal level, STS is…

Interdisciplinary education for life.

Relevant to every field of study.
A great major or double major or “the minor for all
majors”.
A way to improve your writing and
communications skills, problem-solving abilities,
and ability to adapt to changes in science and
technology.
Attractive to potential employers.
Needed at all levels, in education, government,
the private sector, and internationally.
 STS is…

• Interdisciplinary study of the interaction of

science and technology with society and
culture.
• The realization that discoveries and
inventions are shaped by historical forces
and in turn influence values, aspirations,
events, and institutions, thus shaping the
course of history.
 ACTIVIST STS
Gets involved in current issues.
Covers a broad social spectrum (not just academic).
Builds coalitions:
1. Awareness of a problem
2. Need to take responsibility
3. Draw on external expertise
4. Make decisions and take actions
(demonstrate, litigate, educate, legislate, etc.).
Strengths —relevance, empowerment, democratic.
Weaknesses — ad hoc, emotional, NIMBY.
Examples: nuclear power, toxic wastes, health care,
climate change action.
The Two Cultures
What does it mean to be human?

Two Possibilities

Homo sapiens sapiens

Primates who think (a lot)
Contemplative
Homo faber
Primates who make things
Manipulative
 How do we define science?
CONTENT Body of organized knowledge about nature
From Latin scientia - knowledge

METHOD Of obtaining that knowledge, experiment,

observation, hypothesis, theory, law

ATTITUDE Organized and systematic skepticism

GOALS Explanation, understanding, prediction, control

LANGUAGE Mathematics and technical vocabulary

TOOLS Uses Instruments and technologies

COMMUNITY Discipline, education, credentials,

careers, patrons, societies, “turf”

PROCESS Organized, but very diverse activity shaped by

social forces and historical change
 In general:
Science is an organized, hierarchical activity that
investigates nature and human nature by experiment
and observation.
Its goals are explanation, understanding, prediction, and
control.
It tests its theories by logical, mathematical, and
technological means.
Science is shaped by social forces and historical change.
While seeking objectivity, science also shapes culture.
Stereotypes

Newton,

John Hershel,

Darwin
Stereotypes
 What is Technology?
A discourse or treatise on an art or arts;
The scientific study of the practical or industrial arts.
Techne (art, craft, skill), Logos (word).

Some other attempts at definitions:

• A system based on the application of knowledge, manifested in physical
objects and organizational forms, for the attainment of specific goals —
Volti
• Cumulative sum of means used to satisfy human needs and desires and to
solve specific problems —Markert
• The sum total of systems of machines and techniques that underlie a
civilization —Nye
• Not merely a system of machines with certain functions, but an expression
of a social world —Nye
• The production of superfluities – today as in the Paleolithic age —Ortega y
Gasset
• “The seeping false-hearted death” —DeLillo
• Answer briefly the question below:
1. What do you think would happen if the people
before were not able to discover iron, bronze
and other similar things in the past?
2. Science was considered “dead” during the
Dark Ages. Why?
3. What is the role of science and technology in
this pandemic that we are experiencing right
now?