STS Module 1 - Introduction to Science Technology and Society Lecture Video

Summary

The lecture introduces students to the second semester, focusing on the interdisciplinary relationship between science, technology, and society (STS). It explains the importance of studying STS, highlighting how science is a systematic and methodical process aimed at understanding global issues like climate change. The discussion touches on the nature of science, including its worldview, inquiry-based approach, and its evolution over time. Technology is defined as the application of science, and students are tasked with exploring the connections between science, technology, and society through a group project, emphasizing both their advantages and disadvantages.

Takeaways

• 😀 Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is an interdisciplinary field that explores the crucial relationships between these three areas and their impact on society.
• 🔬 Science originates from the Latin word 'scientia,' meaning knowledge, and is systematic and methodical in nature, aiming to provide answers to various problems and phenomena.
• 🌍 Science operates on a global scale, offering a worldview that transcends specific cultures or locations, addressing universal problems like climate change.
• 🔄 Scientific knowledge is durable but can also evolve as new discoveries are made. Established theories may be revised or debunked based on emerging evidence, such as the debunking of the oscillating universe theory.
• ❓ While science provides answers to many questions, it cannot explain everything, such as metaphysical or spiritual phenomena like the existence of God or faith-based healing.
• 🔍 Scientific inquiry relies heavily on evidence, experimentation, and observation, and it blends logic and imagination to generate hypotheses and advance knowledge.
• 📈 Science explains and predicts phenomena by showing consistent relationships between various factors, allowing scientists to build reliable conclusions.
• 🧠 Scientists strive to avoid bias in their work, as objective and unbiased experimentation is essential to credible scientific claims.
• 👩‍🔬 Science is a social enterprise involving collaboration and deliberation, often facing societal resistance to change but aiming to improve lives through innovation.
• 💡 Technology, derived from the Greek word 'techne' (meaning art or skill), applies scientific knowledge to develop tools and innovations that enhance human life, such as phones, pencils, or packaging techniques.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of studying Science, Technology, and Society (STS)?

The main purpose of studying STS is to understand the interrelationship between science, technology, and society, which helps in addressing and understanding several phenomena, problems, and issues that affect society.

Why is science considered a systematic and methodical field?

Science is considered systematic and methodical because it follows a step-by-step process of inquiry, involving observations, experiments, and conclusions to provide accurate explanations for various phenomena.

What does the phrase 'scientific worldview' mean?

A 'scientific worldview' means that science is applicable and acceptable worldwide, not confined to a specific race or culture. It aims to address global issues like climate change through a universal perspective.

How does science deal with changes in theories over time?

Science acknowledges that ideas are subject to change. While some laws remain constant, many scientific theories evolve or are debunked as new evidence emerges, as seen with the oscillating universe theory, which was debunked after the discovery of the Hubble telescope.

What is meant by 'scientific knowledge is durable'?

Scientific knowledge is durable because it can stand the test of time. Although some theories may be modified, many scientific principles and laws, such as the law of gravity, remain stable and widely accepted.

Can science answer all questions, including those related to religion or the supernatural?

No, science cannot provide complete answers to all questions, particularly those related to religious beliefs or supernatural phenomena, such as the existence of God or miraculous healings, which remain outside the realm of scientific explanation.

What role does evidence play in scientific inquiry?

Evidence is crucial in scientific inquiry. Science demands concrete, accurate data, obtained through accepted procedures like experimentation, to support claims and avoid biases.

How do logic and imagination contribute to scientific discoveries?

Logic and imagination play key roles in scientific discoveries. Scientists often begin with curiosity and imagination, asking questions and forming assumptions that are later tested through logical and methodical processes to develop theories and laws.

What is the role of scientists in public affairs?

Scientists participate in public affairs as both specialists and citizens. Their discoveries and inventions should serve the common good and address societal problems, ensuring that science benefits everyone and not just a select few.

What is technology according to the script, and how is it related to science?

Technology, as defined in the script, is the application of science, derived from the Greek word 'technique,' meaning art, skill, or cunning of hand. It involves developing tools and materials that make life easier, fulfilling human needs and desires.