1. Technology and Society
Unit 4 – Science vs. Technology

2. Technology and Society
Historical
Most technology has had very little scientific input
Greece/Rome
“Through the bulk of human history, technology has flourished in societies where science has remained undeveloped.” (Thomas Kuhn)

3. Technology and society
SCIENCE
TECHNOLOGY
Knowledge for its own sake
Motives are pure, not influenced by politics, economy, etc.
More freedom…can abandon one idea for another
More respectable?
A means to an end
Work more structured
Due to demand, can’t abandon projects
Under more time pressures

4. Technology and Society
Science – is it true? All possibilities must be accounted for…MUST have an answer! (vaccine)
Technology – will it work? Still relevant even if we don’t know how it works (computer, cellular phone)
Iron production – but didn’t know what occurred in a furnace to make iron?

5. Technology and society
Things they have in common…
Both based on gathering knowledge
Development
Rational thought processes
Mathematics
Optimistic and progressive!

6. Technology and society
Indirect effects of technology on science
Technology supplies science with tools – telescope, thermometer, etc.
“Both science and technology seem to do best when they remain in close contact, but this should not obscure the fact that they remain very different enterprises.”