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WESTMEAD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

WESTMEAD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Science, Technology and Society
Flexible Learning Packets

WESTMEAD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

College of Arts and Sciences

COURSE TITLE: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

MODULE 2: SCEINCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY AND THE HUMANCONDITION
UNIT 4: WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSS
INSTRUCTOR: MS. ALONA BAJA
SY AND SEM: 2021-2022/ 2ND SEMESTER

I. INTRODUCTION

The ever-growing society has made people see technology as the some form of necessity. Tracing
back its origins, the word "technology" came from the Greek words technë and logos which mean art
and word, respectively. Taking the two words together, technology means a discourse on arts
(Buchanan, 2010). It first appeared in the seventeenth century where the concept was only used to talk
about the arts, specifically applied arts.

However, as technology progressed, the concept also started to have a wider range of meaning
where art is no longer the only topic included. Concepts like machine and tools were also attached to
the word "technology" which is the more popular sense of the concept nowadays.

The roles played by technology these days are very crucial not only to a few but also to everyone.
In one way or another, each person in the society is directly or indirectly affected by technology whether
he wills it or not. In fact, most people survive their everyday lives with great reliance the different
technological advancements already available to the masses. While there may be some who would
claim that are not greatly affected by technology, the fact cannot be denied that technology is already
an inevitable part of the society.

Technology these days enjoys such fame and glory because of the many different benefits it brings
to mankind. Some would even say that it does not only bring convenience but also pleasure and
happiness to people. This is because of the different leisure activities that technology can offer to
people. For example, it allows people to listen to good music wherever they are. Another is, it allows
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them to communicate with their loved ones anywhere in the world, but most of all, allows them to surf
and play games anytime, anywhere.

But this is not all, for there are people who would even argue that technology has become a
necessity and no longer a want. At present, people work very hard in order to save money to buy these
necessities" While in the past, people only used their money for the things that would help them survive
like food, housing, and clothing in effect, anything outside these categories was considered a luxury.

In general technology keeps on progressing due to not only the changing times and environment
but also to the ever-progressing mind of mankind.

II. CONTENT’S LIST

Television Sets, Mobile Phone, Computers, and Humanity
Roles Played by These Technological Advancement
Ethical Dilemma Faced by These Technological Advancements
Robotics and Humanity
Ethical Dilemma/s Faced by Robotics

III. LESSON OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

1.
Know the different technological advancements in society;
2.
Discuss the development of science and technology in the Philippines;
3.
Discuss the effects of the interplay between technology and humanity through the
dilemma(s) they face.

Time allocation for this subject: 3 hours per week

Technological tools:
• Mobile Phone or Laptop
• Social Platform (Fb, Messenger, G-mail, Google Classroom, Zoom)

RESOURCE MATERIALS YOU NEED TO LEARN IN THIS UNIT

• My Video lectures to be posted in our Facebook group
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• YouTube Link : https://youtu.be/DL99deFJYaI?list=TLPQMjYwOTIwMjD2-

UEXAlYxeA
• Activities and assignment posted on our Google classroom

IV. LECTURE NOTES

In this lesson, several technological devices will be property introduced, the roles they play in
society and their effects, particularly to the lives of the people will be identified, and the problems they
face will also examined thoroughly.

TELEVISION SETS, MOBILE PHONE,

COMPUTERS, AND HUMANITY

A number of technological devices can be easily found inside the home, the most accessible
place to anyone. Almost all households, if not all, own these types of devices. To be 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.

First, according to Kantar Media, one of

the most trusted television audience
measurement providers, in the Philippines, 92
percent of urban homes and 70 percent of rural
homes own at least one television set. It is for
this reason why television remains to be
the ultimate medium for
advertisement placements (The Manila
Times, 2014). This survey simply shows that
almost all Filipinos use this particular type of
device. In fact, Filipinos are believed to have this
big fascination for television. Most of the time, they
watch television during their free time or any time
of the day when they have nothing important to do.

In addition to this, Kantar Media also reported that in the Philippines, the current count of
households with television set already reached 15.135 million (Noda, 2012) This number signifies
something, that is, television plays a great role in the lives of the people or in this case, the Filipinos.
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Television was a product of different experiments various people. Paul Gottlieb Nipkow, a
German student, in the late 1800s was successful in his attempt to send images through wires with the
aid or a rotating metal disk. This invention was then called the "electric telescope” that had 18 lines of
resolution. After some time, in 1907, two inventors, Alan Archibald Campbell-Swinton who was an
English scientist and Boris Rosing who was a Russian scientist, created a new system of television
by using the cathode ray tube in addition to the mechanical scanner system. This success story gave
rise to two types of television systems, namely, mechanical and electronic television (Jezek, n.d.).

Second Filipinos love to use their mobile phones anywhere, anytime. They use it for different
purposes other than for communication. More than half of the Filipino population own at least one
mobile phone regardless of type. In 2010, global research agency Synovate conducted a survey and
declared 67 percent product ownership in the country. In fact it was also claimed that mobile phones
are considered a must-have among young Filipinos (ABS-CBN News, 2010). To prove that Filipinos
really love to use their mobile phones, the lpsos Media Atlas Philippines Nationwide Urban 2011-2012
survey results showed that one in every three Filipinos cannot live without a mobile phone.

In other words 30 percent of the Philippine urban

population nationwide said that mobile- phones are
necessities in life (Roa, 2012). Philippine streets are full of
people using their mobile phones. Not only this, there are
some Filipinos who even own more than one mobile phone.
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. He called their rival
telecommunications company and properly informed them
that ne was making the call from a mobile phone. The mobile
phone used by Cooper weighed
1.1 kilograms ad measured 228.6 x 127 x 44.4 mm. This

kind of device was capable or -minute talk time. However, it took 10 hours to charge. In 1983, Motorola
made their first commercial mobile phone available to the public. It was known as the Motorola
DynaTAC 8000X (Goodwin, 2016)

Lastly, computers and laptops have also become part of many of Filipino households. There are
some Filipino families who own more than one computer or laptop while some own at least one
computer or laptop. However, the number of computers or laptops sold per year many not be as high
as the number of mobile phones and television sets. This is because of the relatively higher cost of
computers and laptops.

In line with the growing number of computer and laptop sales, there have also been a growing
number of Internet users in the Philippines. Although there have been problems regarding the Internet
providers, this never hindered Filipinos from continuously using the Internet. Just like television sets
and mobile phones, computers and laptops also have a long background history of trial and error. It
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was Charles Babbage nineteenth-century English Mathematics professor, who designed the
Analytical Engine which was used as the basic framework of the computers even until the present time.

Laptops have been available to the public for even less time than personal computers. Before,
the first design of computer was so big that it could occupy whole floors of buildings was not long before
people started dreaming that they could bring their devices to any place they wish. They hoped that
someday it would be possible for these devices to be portable. It was believed that the transition from
a personal computer to a laptop was only a matter of design, an improvement and a little deviation from
the standard design of a personal computer.

The first true portable computer was released in April 1981. It was called the Osborne l(Ortano,
2011). From that moment on, the evolution of laptops continued until the present time where various
designs and models are already available.

Here are some facts about Filipinos and their use of gadgets and the Internet (Rappler, n.d.):

• Mobile phone subscription is at 119 million.

• Filipinos spend approximately 3.2 hours on mobile and 5.2 hours on desktop daily.
• Currently, the Philippines have one of the highest digital populations in the world.
• There are now 47 million active Facebook accounts in the Philippines.
• The Philippines is the fastest-growing application market in Southeast Asia.

ROLES PLAYED BY THESE

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

Television sets, mobile phones, and computers or laptops all have different functions and roles
played in the lives of the people, although some may be a little similar. These roles have become so
essential that people, more specifically Filipinos, developed a strong inclination toward technology and
its products. For instance, television is mainly used as a platform for advertisements and information
dissemination. In fact, television remains to be the most used avenue by different advertising
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.
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However, it is important to note that these are just some of the roles played by television. Aside
from the ones mentioned above, 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.
Mobile phones, on the other hand, also have their own roles in the lives of the people.

They are primarily used for communication. Mobile phones offer 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. For example, in the present, people
use their mobile phones to surf the Internet and to take pictures more than to 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. Other applications include music player, calendar, radio,
television, and photo editor, among others. These are just some of the additional features of mobiles
phones in the present. These make this particular technological device very appealing to the masses.
It is like an all-in-one device.

In addition, it is very portable and convenient because it can fit into any space, may it be inside
the pocket or bag. Personal computers and laptops also have useful set of functions and roles. Although
most of the functions found in these technological devices are now also available in mobile phones,
they still offer their own unique features that make them attractive. For example, personal computers
and laptops can be used to surf the Internet and communicate. Just like the mobile phones, these
devices also have features like calendar, calculator, music player, movie player, camera, and many
more.

However, for a lot of people, they prefer to do their job using either a personal computer or a
laptop than a mobile phone. One reason is that a personal computer or a laptop has wide keyboard
than using a mobile phone, especially when the mobile phone has a small screen. Contrary to mobile
phones, personal computers and laptops have wide screens and separate keyboards, although some
mobile phones can now be connected to a keyboard.

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 to play with comfort and convenience. However, it cannot be denied that some would even
prefer laptops over personal computers or the simple reason that personal computers are not portable
and there are times when they need to bring such devices to different places.

ETHICAL DILEMMA FACED BY THESE

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

While it is true that these technological devices are useful and beneficial, the fact remains that
there are several dilemmas faced by these "necessities."
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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. They have a great tendency to sit and chill all day long without doing
anything productive in their homes, thus making them unhealthy because they do not just skip meals
sometimes but also lack exercise or any bodily movements.

Second, 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, mobiles 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.

However, it can also be argued that it is not the fault of the technological devices but the agents
using them or the ones making them. The classic deontological and teleological approaches to ethics
are already too old to be applied in such cases. This is because technology has become very
complicated and dynamic over time. Having said this, it is true that there are problems that can no
longer be addressed by using these theories only. This is why the ethics of responsibility is an
appropriate theory that can be used in these dilemmas.

Going back to the first dilemma, it can be said that the agents using the devices are the ones to be
blamed for the undesirable consequences, namely, laziness and unhealthiness. However, it is the
assumption that the people in the scientific-technological world have properly informed the public of the
positive tenor of their action in technology and the possible dangers of the misuse of their technological
contribution.

On the second dilemma, the people in neither 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 contributions, it would still be useless because the
children have no capacity to understand them vet. So in this dilemma, the ones to be blamed are the
adults who allowed the children to have access to such devices in the first place without any
supervision.
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ROBOTICS AND HUMANITY

Another great product of the innovative minds of the people

is the robot. Robots are now widely used. For example,
there are the so-called service robots. These particular
robots do specific tasks but focus mainly in assisting their
masters in their everyday tasks. The International
Federation of Robotics (IFR) and United Nations
Economnic Commission for Europe (UNECE) made it their
task to formulate a working definition for service robots. A
preliminary extract of the relevant definition is (IFR, 2012):

• A robot is an actuated mechanism programmable in two or more axes with a degree of

autonomy, moving within its environment, to perform intended tasks.
• A service robot is a robot that performs useful tasks for humans or equipment excluding
industrial automation application. Note: A robot may be classified according to its intended
application as an industrial robot or a service robot.

• A personal service robot or a service robot for personal use is a service robot used for a non-
commercial task, usually by laypersons. Examples are domestic servant robot, automated
wheelchair, personal mobility assist robot, and pet exercising robot.
• A professional service robot or a service robot for professional use 1s a service robot used
for a commercial task, usually operated by a properly trained operator. Examples are
cleaning robot for public places, delivery robot in offices or hospitals, fire-fighting robot,
rehabilitation robot, and surgery robot in hospitals.

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. DESIRE has the following individual objectives
(DESIRE, 2009):

• To achieve a technological edge toward attaining key functions and components that are
suited for everyday use
• To create a reference architecture for mobile manipulation
• To promote the convergence of technologies through integration into a common technology
platform
• To conduct pre-competition research and development activities for new products and
technology transfer in start-up enterprises in the field of service robotics
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The earliest conception of robots can be traced around 3000 B.C. from the Egyptians. Their
water clocks used human figurines to strike the hour bells. This mechanical device was built to carry
out a specific physical task regularly. From that time on, different machines were already built that
displayed the same mechanism and characteristics as the robots in the present. For example, there
was a wooden pigeon that could fly a talking doll, steampowered robots, and hydraulically-operated
statues that could speak and gesture. However, the earliest robots as people know them were created
in the early 1950s by George Devol. "Unimate" was his first invention from the words “Universal
Automations”.

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. On one hand, 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. Other examples of robots are those which can be seen in movies. One of the reasons why
robots are very famous is because of movies.

A number of local and national movies were inspired by robots. This goes to show that people
have developed a distinct fascination over robots. Just like people living in the society, robots also have
their own set of rules and characteristics that define what a good robot is. These laws were formulated
by Isaac Asimov back in the 1940s, when he was thinking of the ethical consequences of robots. These
are the following (Stanford, n.d.):

• Law One: A robot may not injure a human being or,

through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
• Law Two: A robot must obey the orders given it by
human beings except where such orders
would conflict with the First Law
• Law Three: A robot must protect its own existence as
long as such protect does not conflict
with the First or Second Law.
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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.

Another ethical dilemma faced by robots 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 (Evans, 2007).

In the field of robotics, there are the so-called partial autonomy and full autonomy. Partial
autonomy includes active human-robot interaction while full autonomy excludes active human-robot
interaction. In other words, a robot with full autonomy can perform actions or activities even without a
master telling it what should be done or what should be performed next (IFR, 2012).

Using Asimov's laws for robots, it can be concluded that robots are ethical but only if they strictly
follow the laws specified. They are ethical mostly because the laws formulated by Asimov ensure the
safety of not only the users of the technology but also the people around him.

Remember that these service robots are already available to the public; nus, they can already
be found inside the homes. Having said that, the safety of not only the owner of the technology but also
all the people inside the house should be the priority more than anything else. In other Words, the
service robots only follow what their masters tell them to do with great consideration to the laws
formulated by Asimov.

However, the agent using the technology misuses the robot to achieve personal agendas, then
without a doubt, the agent should be held accountable for any consequences it may bring. It is important
to note that this is under the assumption that the robot strictly followed the laws specified without any
form of deviation. If the problems arise when the robot deviates from the laws specified, then the maker
or the inventor of the machine should be blameworthy. It just means that the robot was not programmed
very well because it violated the laws.

Other problems may arise when the machine develops the ability to think for itself. In this case,
the one that should be blame can both be the maker or 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. To put it in another way, the maker programmed the robot in such
a way that it can already think for itself even without an active participation from a human being. In
addition, since the robot thinks for itself, whatever decision it makes and whatever consequence it may
bring, the robot itself should be held responsible.
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For the second dilemma, 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. It can be argued that the same thing happened
with animals. Before, animals did not have their own set of rights because people believed that they
were not capable of having emotions. However, after years of testing and experimenting, it was
concluded that animals are indeed capable of emotions. It is for this reason that people decided to give
them right that are due to them.

V. SUMMARY

In modern times, there are different technological advancements in all forms and sizes may it
be inside the home, the workplace, the learning place, Or simply on the streets. It is now very accessible
to almost anyone in the world. It is not completely impossible to say that each person in the world owns
at least one technological device. Besides, technology not enclosed to expensive and high-end
devices. Simple types of machines that can perform simple task regularly can already be considered a
form or technology. However, despite its usefulness and beneficial characteristics, there are still some
problems faced by the different technological advancements. To be more specific, these problems are
ethical in nature that involves not only the machine but also mankind. It is now impossible for technology
and humanity not to cross paths because as some would argue, technology has become a necessity
for people. At the end of the day, ethics should still be enforced in the field of technology so as to ensure
the safety and morality of these devices to people.

VI. SELF-ASSESSMENT 2.1

THINK ABOUT THESE QUESTION

1. Do people really need technology in their lives? Is it really a necessity?

2. How do you reconcile the 'need for technology and the dilemma/s it faces?

3. Should there be an ethics of technology?