STS (Science, Technology, and Society) Comprehensive Reviewer
1. The Good Life (Philosophy - Aristotle)
• Eudaimonia: The ultimate good; "human flourishing"—a life of virtue and reason
• Arête (Virtue): Excellence in moral and intellectual character
• Moral Virtue: Generosity, courage, temperance—developed through practice
• Intellectual Virtue: Wisdom and understanding—developed through education
• Doctrine of the Golden Mean: Virtue lies between two extremes
• Phronesis (Practical Wisdom): Ability to act rightly using reason
• A good life is a life lived in accordance with reason and virtue
2. When Technology and Humanity Cross
• Technology: Derived from techne (skill) + logos (discourse)
• Impacts daily life: communication, convenience, happiness
• Ethical concerns: Overuse, misuse, laziness, misinformation, exposure to harmful content
• Gadgets:
• TV: Mass medium, advertising, cultural influence
• Mobile phones: High Filipino usage, social dependence
• Computers: Education/business, digital divide exists
• Robotics:
• Personal Service Robots: Home tasks, wheelchairs, toys
• Professional Robots: Medical, delivery, fire-fighting
• Ethical Dilemmas: Safety, accountability, emotional rights, robot sentience
• Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics: Prioritize human safety and obedience
3. Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us (Bill Joy)
• Main argument: 21st-century technologies (genetics, nanotech, AI) may make humans obsolete
• Concerns:
• Machines becoming more intelligent than humans
• Biological warfare or self-replicating nanotech disasters
• Technologies once controlled by governments are now accessible to individuals
• Call to Action: Exercise caution and ethical foresight before advancing
4. The Future of Technology
• Trends:
• VR, AR, AI, wearable tech, big data, telepresence
• “Computication”: smart agents helping productivity
• Benefits:
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• Improved health, efficiency, global connectivity
• Risks:
• Job loss due to automation
• Tech-based crime and inequality
• Organizational lag in managing tech challenges
5. Information Age
• Started in the 1970s, ongoing
• Also called: Digital Age, Computer Age
• Characteristics:
• Instant communication (texting, email, social media)
• Easy access to data and knowledge
• Pros:
• Innovation, globalization, enhanced education and entertainment
• Cons:
• Misinformation, distraction, reduced personal interaction
6. Biodiversity and Health
• Types:
• Genetic Diversity: Variation within species
• Species Diversity: Variety of species
• Ecosystem Diversity: Different habitats and interactions
• Importance:
• Ecosystem services (pollination, water purification, etc.)
• Food, medicine, cultural, recreational value
• Philippine Biodiversity:
• One of 17 megadiverse countries; high endemism
• Threats: Deforestation, pollution, invasive species, poaching
• Human Health Links:
• Dilution Effect: High biodiversity reduces disease transmission
• Pharmacy in Nature: Many medicines derived from natural sources
• Biomimicry: Nature-inspired medical technologies (e.g., mosquito needles)
• Ecological Footprint of Healthcare:
• Blessing: saves lives, reduces costs
• Curse: waste, antibiotic resistance, pollution
7. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
• Definition: Organisms with DNA altered using genetic engineering
• Common GMO foods: Corn, rice, potatoes, tomatoes, meat
• Benefits:
• Higher yields, pest/disease resistance, nutrition (e.g., Golden Rice)
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• Lower pesticide use, tolerance to environmental stress
• Risks:
• “Superweeds”, allergies, unintended harm to wildlife
• Ethical Issues:
• Natural order, religious concerns, labeling transparency
8. Nanotechnology
• Definition: Manipulation of matter at the nanoscale (1–100 nm)
• Properties at nanoscale differ: color, reactivity, strength
• Applications:
• Medicine: Drug delivery, sunscreens
• Environment: Water filtration
• Energy: Solar cells, batteries
• Challenges:
• Low public awareness
• Uncertain safety/toxicity
• Tools:
• Electron Microscopes, Atomic Force Microscopes
9. Gene Therapy
• Definition: Treating disease by inserting or modifying genes
• Techniques:
• In vivo: gene inserted directly into body
• Ex vivo: gene edited outside then reinserted
• Methods:
• Viral vectors (retrovirus, adenovirus)
• Non-viral: gene gun, electroporation
• Applications:
• Treat inherited diseases (e.g., SCID), cancer, rare conditions
• Concerns:
• Ethical (designer babies), safety, long-term effects
10. Climate Change
• Definition: Long-term changes in global temperature and weather due to human activity and
natural processes
• Causes:
• GHGs (CO2, CH4, N2O), fossil fuels, deforestation
• Effects:
• Global warming, sea level rise, droughts, floods, biodiversity loss
• Health risks: heat stress, disease spread
• Philippine Vulnerability:
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• Prone to typhoons, flooding, droughts
• Mitigation & Adaptation:
• Mitigation: Reduce emissions (renewables, energy efficiency)
• Adaptation: Sea walls, drought-resistant crops
• Laws/Policies:
• RA 9729 (Climate Change Act)
• NCCAP, Ecotown projects
Review Tips:
• Focus on key terms per topic: Eudaimonia (Philo), GMO vs. organic (GMO), GHGs (Climate),
Nanometer scale (Nano)
• Use practice quizzes and flashcards to master definitions
• Understand implications—not just facts (e.g., ethical issues in tech)
