CHAPTER 2 Lesson 2 TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING PDF

CHAPTER II
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

AND THE HUMAN CONDITION
Lesson 2 : TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING
Introduction
The term “generation gap” is attributed mainly to the changes brought about by
technology. Although the original idea is for technology to help everyone, it cannot be denied that
until today, not everyone is comfortable in using the different kinds of technologies. Mostly those
who belong to the older generation think that these technologies are too complicated to operate.
They have been used to the simple living in the past and these technological devices, though very
appealing, are a difficult puzzle to them.
Even before, people are already fascinated with science and technology. This fascination led
to numerous magnificent inventions that people in the present are able to enjoy and benefit from.
Through science and technology, people get to experience what it really means to live because it
helps people in more ways than one.
People who lived in the past and people who are living in the present all have different
views of what it means to flourish, primarily due to the kind of environment and the period one is
in. People’s ways of life and how the society works also affect how one construes the concept of
human flourishing.
The Human Condition before Common Era

Our early ancestors’ primal need to survive paved way for the invention of several
developments. Gifted with brains more advanced than other creatures, humans are able to utilize
abundant materials for their own ease and comfort. As it is difficult to pinpoint the particular period
where technology is said to have started, one can say that at the very least, the motivation to make
things easier has been around since humans are. Homo erectus have been using fire to cook,
through chipping one flint over the other to produce a spark, all the while without realizing the laws
of friction and heat. Tools from stone and flints marked the era of the Stone Age, during the advent
of our very own Homo sapiens, and humans began to sharpen stones as one would a knife; an
example of this is the simple machine called wedge.
This particular period proved to be difficult for our ancestors, but in a remarkably distinct
way. There is little to no written accounts except for several cave drawings and unearthed artifacts
from various parts of the world that narrate how their culture came to be.
Soon enough, people discovered minerals and began forging metalwork. They realized that
these substances are more durable, malleable, and have more luster than the previous material. Fur
clothing and animal skin are primarily used for comfort against harsh winds – our ancestors are able
to draw the connection between their being naked and vulnerable due to some lack of fur or
protective covering which would otherwise allow them to withstand extreme weather conditions.
The Human Condition in the Common Era

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For a long time, humans were content with their relationship with nature. Earliest case of
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man-made extinction occurred over 12,000 years ago, possibly brought upon by hunting and
Chapter II- Lesson 2 | S c i e n c e , T e c h n o l o g y a n d S o c i e t y

territorial disputes. The Holocene extinction, also called the sixth extinction or more aptly
Anthropocene extinction, occurred form as early as between 100,000 to 200,000 years up to the
present. It pertains to the on-going extinction of several species-both flora and fauna – due to
human activity.
Driven by their primal need to survive and gaining the upper hand in terms of development
and adaptability, humans were quick to find ways to drive off other mega faunas threatening a
prospective hunting spot and eventually, settling grounds. Formation of communities caused
humans to expand more in territory and more people to feed; large, separate communities hailing
from the same ancestors and residing in the same large community paved way for civilizations.
Amidst the wars with other tribes, solution they were able to find out that engaging in a peaceful
negotiation was also a possible and less bloody method.
Technology has been instrumental in all of these because in searching for the good life,
people were able to come up with creations that could make life easier, more comfortable, more
enriching. Advancements in medicine, technology, health and education ushered in humanity’s best
yet, and show no sign of stopping. The following are some of the notable comparisons between the
past and the present:
1. Mortality rate. Due to technology, lesser women and children die during birth. Medical care for
pre mature infants allows them to survive and develop normally, while proper maternal care
ensures that mothers can fully recover and remain empowered.
2. Average Lifespan. Aside from the reason that people engage less in combat and are less likely to
die in treatable diseases now as opposed to then, science is able to prolong lives by enhancing living
status and discovering different remedies to most diseases. Distributions of medicines are also
made easier and faster.
3. Literacy Rate. Access to education provided to more individuals generally creates a more
informed public that could determine a more just society.
4. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Although not an indicator of an average person lifestyle in a
certain country, it is often used to determine the value of the country’s goods and services
produced within the territory given a certain time period. Higher country income is brought upon by
high productivity, often an indicator of presence of technology.
The Essence of Technology

Humanity has indeed come a long way from our primitive ways, and as a general rule, it is
said that we are more “developed” than we were before. Modern humans are reliant on technology
in their search for the good life. We see ways and means from nature to utilize and achieve growth
–a goal that we believe would bring forth betterment.
In retrospect, this view of technology proves to be goal-oriented. One philosopher by the

name of Martin Heidegger argued that its essence, or purpose and being are different from each
other. He was able to expound on this point upon identifying that technology can neither be
perceived as first, a means to achieve man’s end and second, that which constitutes human activity.
The second perspective paints technology in such a way that each period reveals a particular
character regarding man’s being. A characteristic design, or flaw, unfolds based on the
repercussions brought upon by immersing ourselves with a piece of new technology.
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Backtracking the Human Condition
Technology’s initial promises proved to be true, regardless of its ramifications. All in the
human condition improved, only if by improving we measure the level of comfort, various scientific
breakthroughs, and improved lifestyles of those who had the luxury to afford to do so. Some places
in the world are still battling for their daily survival – diseases, tribe wars, lack of habitable
territories, and competitions on resources are several factors contributing to such. Whether science
or religion, these people are still bent on trying to make sense of the events happening in the world
on the basis of either of those two paradigms. They are still trying to discover and rediscover things
that would give meaning to their lives – whether it be honor, strength, or merit. People are still
trying to make sense of their existence in the world, and technology does little to aid them in
pursuit of life’s meaning.
It seems that the human condition, although more sophisticated, is nothing but a rehashed
version of its former self. While it is true that technology offered us one compelling notion of the
truth and the good, we should be staunch in our resolve if we want to know the real one.
Technological advancements are seemingly occurring in a rapid pace that our morality cannot keep
up; no such consideration was given in this approach in achieving good life.
SUMMARY
Science and technology has been part of human activity since the beginning of our species.
It has aided us in 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 a paradox in which we are only able to see the world in the lenses us to
a paradox in which we are only able to see the world in the lenses of technological innovations. In
our pursuit of growth, we had conveniently forgotten that technology only presents one approach
in viewing the world. This forgetfulness leads us to evaluate objects as consumable or not –
transcending to other human beings, determining their capacity to be productive. Our valuation of
things became one-dimensional, geared toward production of goods for more consumption, which
we believe would lead us to good life. This is only one conception of technology, as Heidegger also
proposed that technology is what humans do. Advancements in the field expose us to previously
unknown predicaments, effectively helping us to reveal our own natures and enforcing one
perspective in finding the truth. Now that it is acknowledged, we can try and divert our search to
other approaches.
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CHAPTER II

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

Lesson 2 : TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING

The Human Condition before Common Era

The Human Condition in the Common Era

Chapter II- Lesson 2 | S c i e n c e , T e c h n o l o g y a n d S o c i e t y

The Essence of Technology

In retrospect, this view of technology proves to be goal-oriented. One philosopher by the

Chapter II- Lesson 2 | S c i e n c e , T e c h n o l o g y a n d S o c i e t y

Chapter II- Lesson 2 | S c i e n c e , T e c h n o l o g y a n d S o c i e t y

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