1. Today: Science and Technology : Old View, New View Week 2, Lesson 3 Wednesday, September 9, 1998 Dr. Vincent Duffy - IEEM http://www-ieem.ust.hk/dfaculty/duffy/111 email: vduffy@ust.hk SOSC 111 - Science, Technology and Society 1

2. Overview for today n What are Science and technology? n What’s the difference between Scientists and Engineers? n Three premises/concepts about science and technology n Video - ‘You Me and Technology’ 2

3. Question of the day (QOTD) n Q1. Science and Technology. Which came first? n Technology came first?____ n Science came first?______ n NS___ 3

4. What are Science & Technology? n In the past... n Scientists have been seen as persons who study the natural world ‘to gain knowledge’, without the intention of earning money from their work. n Engineers (technologists) have been seen as persons who ‘make things’ (especially machines and tools) in order to make a profit. n Are these characterizations correct today? 4

5. In the past? n Which came first? u Humans were creating ‘technology’ long before doing ‘science’. n And now? 20th century? u What are the following persons doing? u An astronomer who searches for black holes? u An aerodynamicist working in a wind tunnel at an aircraft company? u A chemist working in an industrial laboratory on a synthetic fiber? u A computer scientist? 5

6. Now: Rough definitions n Science/Scientists: u A community of people concerned with the systematic search for knowledge about the world. u more value placed on theory. n Engineering/Engineers (technologists): u A community of people concerned with the design of things and organization of people towards practical goals. u more value placed on design, building & applications n both with distinct traditions of practice 6

7. Question of the day (QOTD) n Q1. Science and Technology are separate from (or are added to) society. True or false? n True_____ n False_____ 7

8. Which view is correct? n Traditionally science and technology have been considered separate from society. u or things that are added to society. u Which view represents that? A or B? Science Technology Society A Science Technology Society B 8

9. First premise n First premise: Science and Technology are a part of society. n Therefore: Figure B is correct. Science Technology Society A Old (incorrect) view Science Technology Society B New view 9

10. Question of the day (QOTD) n Q2. Science and Technology ‘shape society’, but are not ‘shaped by society’. n True_____ n False_____ n Please explain by using an example from the video. 10

11. Second premise n Science and Technology have a ‘dual nature’. u what is meant by this? n They are powerful institutions that shape society. u They are also ‘human institutions’ (shaped and influenced by humans) n and thus are shaped ‘by’ society. 11

12. Third premise n As members of society we have a responsibility to understand Science and Technology influence n including how technology reflects our social values, and how it shapes the environment u both our natural environment and our built one as well. 12

13. Question of the day (QOTD) Q.3 What are the 4 main periods in technology development that are described in the movie. Q.4 Why is it important to know about science and technology? Give an example from the movie ‘You, Me and Technology’. 13

14. Administrative issues n Reading: History of Technology u First chapter of text - put on web page n Form groups of 3 or 4 u Please prepare a team sheet w/photos v for Monday 14th, or latest Wednesday 16th. v If anyone will not have a group, please let me know and I will help to form the group. v Friday lecture: v Why is the history important? 14