Chapter I

Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and

Technology
• The following discussions will tackle the different major technological
advancements during the ancient times, which include some of the
achievements of the early civilizations such as the Sumerians,
Babylonians, and Egyptians. It will continue to describe the gradual
application of knowledge up to the contemporary time.
 Sumerian Civilization
Sumeria is located on the southernmost tip of ancient
Mesopotamia. Sumerians are known for their high degree of cooperation
with one another and their desire for great things. They are not contented
with the basic things that life can offer. This desire pushed them to develop
many things connected with science and technology.
1. Cuneiform
It is a system that utilizes word pictures and triangular symbols
which are carved on clay using wedge instruments and then left to dry .
Cuneiform allowed the Sumerians to keep records of things which great
historical value or their everyday life.
2. Uruk City
It is a great wonder not only because it is considered to be the
first true city in the world but also for the way it is erected. The
Sumerians were able to build the city using only mud or clay from the
river, which they mixed with reeds, producing sun-baked bricks-a true
engineering feat. They used the bricks to make houses that protected
them from the harsh weather and to build a wall around the city that
that prevented wild animals and neighboring raiders from entering.
 3. The Great Ziggurat of Ur
The ziggurat, also called the mountain of God, was built in the
same manner that they constructed the City of Uruk. Without much
building materials, the structure was constructed using sun-baked
bricks. The ziggurat served as the sacred place of their chief god, where
only their priest were allowed to enter.
4. Irrigation and Dikes
The Sumerians were challenged to mass produce food items but
the elements in the environment seemed uncooperative. It was difficult
to get water from the rivers, thus they could not maintain farmlands.
Some groups had scarce water supply, while others had problems with
flooding caused by the river.
 As a solution to this dilemma, the Sumerians created dikes and
irrigation canals to bring water to farmlands and at the same time
control the flooding of the rivers. This method was considered as one
of the world’s most beneficial engineering works, Through the dikes
and canals, the Sumerians were able to enjoy year-long farming and
harvesting, which increased their food production.
5. Sailboats
The main mode of transportation was through waterways such as
rivers and seas. Boat were used to carry large quantities of products and
were able to cover large distances. However they wanted to discover faraway
lands to settle since the population was getting larger, and , boats were not
enough to accommodate more people and products. Sailboats were
essential in transportation and trading as well as in fostering culture,
information and society.
6. Wheel
The first wheels were not made for transportation but for
transportation but for transportation but for farm work and food
processes. With the use of the wheel and axle, mass production was
made easier. Farmers were able to mill grains with less effort in less
time.
7. The Plow
The plow was invented to dig the earth in a faster pace. As the
plow breaks the ground, the farmer would just drop the seeds and farm
work would already be done. With this tool, farmers could cultivate
larger parcels of land faster enabling them to mass produce food
without taking so much effort and time.
8. Roads
They made the roads with the same technology they used in
making the sun-baked bricks that they laid down on the ground. They
later poured bitumen, a black sticky substance similar to asphalt, to
smoothen the roads. The invention of roads was very useful especially
during the rainy season when travelling in soft and muddy roads
proved to be too difficult.
Babylonian Civilization
Babylonian civilization emerged near the Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers. The Babylonians were great builders, engineers, and architects.
1. Hanging Garden of Babylon
It was said to be a structure made up of layers of gardens that
contained several spices of plants, trees, and veins. According to
legends, the great Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II built the gardens
for his wife, Queen Amytis. However, no physical evidence has been
found to prove the existence of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Egyptian Civilization
Another early civilization famous for its legacy is the Egyptian
civilization located in North Africa. Many stories tell about the
engineering feats of the Egyptian especially regarding the infrastructure
established by the pharaohs. Aside from engineering technology
Egyptians have contributed other practical things that world now
considers as essential.
1. Papyrus/Paper
The Egyptian invention of the paper or papyrus was a welcome
development. Papyrus was a plant that grew abundantly along the Nile
River in Egypt. They able to process the plant in order to produce thin
sheets on which one could write down things. Since papyrus was
lighter and thinner than clay tablets, it was easy to carry and store.
 2. Ink
The Egyptian invented ink by combining soot with different
chemicals to produce inks of different colors. The ink must withstand
the elements of nature since it was used to record history, culture, and
codified laws. It must also be tamper-proof so that people could simply
tinker with those written down by authorities.
3. Hieroglyphics
The Egyptians also developed a system of writing using symbols.
Some say that hieroglyphics was adapted from the early writing system
established in Mesopotamia as a result of trade between civilizations,
they believed that writing system was provided to them by their gods.
This form of writing can still be seen today and remains to be as famous
as the pyramids where they were found.
4. Cosmetics
The Egyptians invented the use of cosmetics, their function was
for both health and aesthetic reasons. They wore Kohl around the eyes
to prevent and even cure eye diseases. Kohl was created by mixing soot
or malachite with mineral galena. Egyptians also believed that a person
wearing make-up was protected from evil and that beauty was a sign of
holiness. At present, the cosmetics industry is a booming multibillion
industry.
5. Wig
During the ancient Egyptian times, wigs were worn for health
and wellness rather than for aesthetic purposes. The wigs were used to
protect the shaved heads of the wealthy Egyptians from the harmful
rays of the sun. Wearing a wig was better than putting on a scarf or any
other cover since a wig allowed heat to escape. Moreover, it was
considered cleaner than natural hair because it prevented the
accumulation of head lice.
6. Water Clock/Clepsydra
This device utilizes gravity that affects the flow of water from one
vessel to the other. The amount of water (or its height, depending on
the method used) remaining in the device determines how much time
has elapsed since it is full. In the process, time is measured. The water
clock was widely used as timekeeping device during the ancient times.
 Greek Civilization
Greece is an archipelago in the southeastern part of Europe. Known
as the birthplace of western philosophy, some of the major achievements
of the Greeks include in-depth works on philosophy and mathematics.
More than coliseums and the Olympics, the Greek civilization has
contributed much to the world especially in the fields of science and
technology.
Alarm Clock
The ancient Greek’s alarm clocks used large complicated
mechanisms to time the alarm. They made use of water (or sometimes
small stones or sand) that dropped into drums which sounded the
alarm. Plato was believed to have utilized an alarm clock to signal the
start of his lecture. His version used for water vessels lined up vertically.
 The upper vessel supplied the water which dropped to the vessel
below it, which was set to be filled in a given time. After it was full,
water was siphoned off at a faster rate into the third vessel which
would cause the expulsion of contained air, creating a whistling noise.
Afterwards, this vessel would empty towards the bottom vessel for
storage and reuse.
2. Water Mill
Watermills were also considered as one of the most important
contributions of the Greek civilization to the world. They were commonly
used in agricultural processes like milling of grains which was a necessary
form of food processing during that time. They only required access to
rivers or flowing water where a mechanism of a large wheel with small
“buckets” of water attached to it could be installed.
 Roman Civilization
The Roman Empire was perceived to be the strongest political
and social entity in the west. It was considered to be the cradle of
politics and governance during that period. Because the Roman Empire
was so large, other civilizations looked up to it as their model in terms
of legislation and codified laws. Aside from their contributions in
politics, a lot of discoveries and inventions still relevant today can be
attributed to the Roman Empire.
1. Newspaper
The first newspapers, known as gazettes, contained
announcements of the Roman Empire to the people. Made before the
invention of paper, these gazettes were engraved in metal or some
stone tablets and then publicly displayed.
2. Bound Books or Codex
Record-keeping was much easier since paper did not easily
break, was lightweight, and did not occupy much space. As a result,
civilizations became fond of record keeping, especially documenting
historical events and newly legislated laws. Aside from Romans writing
down information about history and politics, literature also changed
form from clay tablets to parchment of paper.
 According to sources, Julius Caesar started the tradition of
stacking up papyrus to form pages of a book. Later on, they were able
to provide covers to protect the papyrus. The earlier covers were made
of wax but were later on replaced by animal skin which proved to be
stronger and longer-lasting. With the papyrus pages bound together
and covered by animal skin, the ancient Roman Empire was able to
produce the first books or codex.
3. Roman Architecture
The development in the field of engineering and architecture
was fully supported and funded by the Roman government so they
were able to implement major projects such as large churches
(cathedrals and basilica, aqueduct coliseums, amphitheaters, and even
residential houses.
 4. Roman Numerals
Roman devised their own number system specifically to address
the need for a standard counting method that would meet their
increasing communication and trade concerns. The Roman numeral is no
longer widely used today due to its inherent limitations, quite a number
of enthusiasts would still used it over other more popular number
systems, like the Hindu-Arabic system, due to its aesthetic and historical
value.
 Chinese Civilization
The Chinese civilization is considered to be the oldest civilization
in Asia, if not the world. Also known as the middle Kingdom , China is
located on the far east of Asia . It was famous among other ancient
civilizations because of its silk trade. Not a great amount was written
about ancient China partly due to its distance from the other
civilizations. Despite its less popular status among the early
civilizations, one cannot discredit the significant contributions of
Chinese civilization to the world.
 1. Silk
Silk is naturally produced by silk worms, the Chinese were the
ones who developed the technology to harvest the silk and process it
to produce paper and clothing. The production of silk resulted in the
creation of a product fro trade. The silk trade opened China to the
outside world, making way for cultural, economic, and scientific
exchanges. It bridged the gap between the western world and the
middle kingdom.
 2. Tea Production
Tea is a beverage produced by pouring hot or boiling water over
crushed or shredded dried tea leaves. It was believed that the first tea
was drunk by Chinese emperor. Tea production was developed when an
unknown Chinese inventor created a machine that was able to shred
tea leaves into strips. Today, tea production developed by the ancient
Chinese may have resulted in making tea as one of the most popular
beverages in the world.
 3. Great Wall of China
The Great wall of China is said to be the largest and most extensive
infrastructure that the nation built. It was constructed to keep out foreign
invaders and control the boarders of China. Made with stone, brick, wood,
earth, and other materials, it showcased the extent of Chinese engineering
technology at that time. Today, with some sections already in ruins, the
Great Wall still continues to be a world attraction due to its historical
significance and architectural grandeur.
 4. Gunpowder
It was developed by Chinese alchemist who aimed to achieved
immortality. They mixed charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate , but
instead of creating an elixir of life, they accidentally invented a black
powder that could actually generate large amounts of heat and gas in an
instant. Ironically, instead of prolong life, gunpowder is widely used to
propel bullets from guns and cannons which cause countless death.
Medieval/Middle Ages
The start of middle ages was marred by massive invasions and
migrations. Wars were prevalent during this time. As such, great
technology was needed in the fields of weaponry, navigation, mass
food and farm production, and health. The wars have resulted in
population decline, but during the latter part of the period, there was a
significant rise in population. Trade and commerce among nations
increased, which resulted in greater demands for transportation
technology. Some of the most innovative minds came from this period.
1. Printing Press
Johann Gutenberg was able to invent the printing press, a more
reliable way of printing using a cast type. He utilized wooden machines
that extracted juices from fruits, attached to them a metal impression of
the letters, and pressed firmly the cast metal into a piece of paper, which
then made an exact impression on paper. The printing press was invented
to address the need for publishing books that would spread information to
many people at a faster rate. This invention also made works accessible to
individuals who could not even write (Streissgutrh, 1997).
2. Microscope
Zacharias Janseen was able to develop the first compound
microscope. With this device, people were able to observe organisms
that were normally unseen by the naked eye. The microscope was key
in discovering new means in preventing and curing various illness
(Davidson, 2015
 3. Telescope
The invention of the telescope, an optical instrument that helps
in the observation of remote objects, was great help for navigators
during the Middle Ages was also known as the Age of Exploration.
Together with the telescope, the invention of the compass, oars, and
rudders made sea travelling easier and safer (Helen, 1989).
4. War Weapons
People developed cross bows and low bows so that they could
attack the enemies at long ranges, keeping themselves safe with the
protection of walls and fortresses. Additionally, in close-range had-to-
hand combat, soldiers should wear something to protect themselves, a
need addressed by the creation of iron body armors. However, body
armors were heavy and limited their movements. The problem was
eventually solved by the invention of the chainmail.
Modern Times
The booming world population during the ninetieth century
onwards demanded that more goods be produced at faster rate. People
needed efficient means of transportation to trade more goods and
cover a larger distance. Machines that required animals to operate
must thus be upgraded. Faster and easier means to communicate and
compute should be developed to established connections between and
among nations. All these needs resulted in the development of
industries. However, due to massive industrialization, the modern
times again faced more complicated problems. Food processing and
medicines posed some of the bigger challenges since health was of
great concern.
1. Pasteurization
Louise Pasteur, a French biologist, microbiologist, and chemist,
found a way to solve the problem. He invented pasteurization, a found
way to solve the problem. He invented pasteurization, the process of
heating dairy products to kill the harmful bacteria that allow them to
spol faster. Through this process, milk could be stored and consumed
for a longer period. It also prevented illness caused by harmful bacteria
(Macalester College, 2010). Other contributions of Pasteur to science,
technology, and medicine included his works on molecular asymmetry,
fermentation, and vaccination.
2. Petroleum Refinery
Samuel M. Kier was able to invent kerosene by refining
petroleum. Kerosene was later on referred to as the “illuminating oil”
because it was used at first to provide lightning to homes. After some
time, it was applied for heating purposes. The development of
kerosene established the petroleum refinery industry (Skraber, 2010).
At present, petroleum is widely used in powering automobiles,
factories, and power plants, among others.
3. Telephone
Governments needed some kind of communication system
which would allow them to administer their states well. Important day-
to-day decisions must be discussed and addressed at the faster time
possible. Thus, the development of the telephone by Alexander
Graham Bell was one of the most important inventions at that time.
4. Calculator
Although an earlier version of the calculator had already been
developed, circumstances in the modern times required a faster way to
compute more complicated equations. Computing devices must also be
easy to carry since they would be utilized on a day-to-day basis. The
creation of modern calculators did not only pave the way for easier
arithmetic calculations, but also resulted in the development more
complex processing machines like the computer.
Philippine Inventions
The Philippines contributes to the global; advancement of
science and technology. It is quite remarkable to note the ingenuity of
the Filipinos despite the lack in resources. The Philippines is known to
be one of the most vulnerable countries in terms of natural disasters.
Many discoveries and inventions made by the Filipinos were therefore
built from indigenous materials or created to adapt to the harsh
tropical environment.
1. Salamander Amphibious Tricycle
H2O Technologies headed by Dominic N. Chung and Lamberto
Armada, together with Chief Designer Victor “Atoy” Llave, was able to
invent the Salamander, an amphibious tricycle that can cross not only
flooded streets but also rivers and lakes. It may also be utilized to travel
from island to island. Since the Philippines is an archipelago, the
Salamander is a useful invention that has a lot of potential.
2. SALt Lamp
A young Filipina inventor Aisa Mijeno was able to invent a
lightning system that utilizes a material abundant in the Philippines-
saltwater. She invented Sustainable Alternative Lightning (SALt) lamp,
an environmentally-friendly light source that runs on saltwater. The
SALt lamp is safer as it poses no risk of fire and emits no toxic gases.
Aside from people who live in coastal areas, it may also benefits those
from far-flung barrios because they can make their own saltwater by
mixing two tablespoon of salt and a glass of tap water.
3. Medical Incubator
Its main purpose was to maintain conditions suitable for a
newborn, usually a pre-term baby. Other breakthroughs in Philippine
medicine attributed to Dr. del Mundo include her works on the
immunization and treatment of jaundice and the BRAT diet foe curing
diarrhea.
4. Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap System
In 2010, the Department of Science and Technology-Industrial
Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) was able to introduce
the mosquito Ovicidal /Larvicidal Trap System, also known as OL Trap.
This trap system is made of natural ingredients that are lethal to
mosquito but safe for humans and the environment.
5. Ejeepney
The jeepney dominated Philippine streets and is considered as
the primary mode of transportation of most Filipinos. However, the
diesel-powered jeepney produces large quantities of black smoke, and
usually a major contributor of noise pollution due to its primitive
exhaust system. To counter these disadvantages, the electric jeepney
(ejeepney) was developed. This modern type of transportation utilizes
electricity instead of the more expensive diesel. It is environmentally-
friendly since it does not emit any smoke and noise.
Key Points
• The science and technology is very dynamic since human civilizations
started on the planet.
• Every ancient civilization had a huge contribution to the development
of science and technology.
• Every ancient civilization had unique tools being used in their daily
lives which some of them no longer being used, upgraded, or
modified and some still being used up to these days.
 Chapter 2
Intellectual Revolutions
 There have also been instances when advancements in science
and technology changed people’s perceptions and belief. Much of
these events happened in a period now known as the Intellectual
Revolution.
The developments during the Intellectual Revolution showed
how society was transformed by science and technology. This chapter
aims to establish the interaction between science and technology and
society, cementing further the relationship as introduced in the first
chapter.
Copernican Revolution
A famous philosopher and astronomer, Claudius Ptolemy, stated
that the planets, as well as the sun and the moon, moved in a circular
motion around the Earth. The sun and moon’s revolution explained the
existence of days and nights. He believed that the Earth was at the
center-a concept known as geocentrism. Ptolemy’s geocentric model
was widely accepted by the people and was one of the greatest
discoveries of that time.
In the 16th century, Nicolaus Copernicus, a Polish mathematician and
astronomer, challenged the Ptolemaic model. He introduced a new
concept known as heliocentrism, which suggested that the center of
the Solar System was not the Earth but actually the sun. This idea was
rejected at first by the public. It appalled many since their religious
belief had taught them the Earth was created first before all other
things. Copernicus was even persecuted as a heretic because his
teachings were against what was widely accepted by religion.
• After some time, astronomers realized that the Copernican model
simplified the orbits for planets. It also answered issues that could not
be explained using the geocentric model. Other works that supported
this model started to emerge as well. It was eventually accepted by the
people in a period which was called the birth of modern astronomy.
This era begin what was known as the scientific revolution which
resulted in the transformation of society’s thoughts and beliefs.
Darwinian Revolution
Charles Darwin, an English naturalist, biologist, and geologist,
published his book, On the Origin of Species. In this book, Darwin
introduce the theory of evolution, which posited that populations pass
through a process of natural selection in which only the fittest would
survive. He stated that organisms have the ability to adapt to their
environment and would gradually change into something that would be
more competitive to survive, a process known as evolution.
However, this theory became very controversial as people perceived it
to be contradictory to the church’s teachings that the source of life is a
powerful creator. The theory emerged at time when most of the
population believed and accepted the biblical version of the Earth’s
creation. Because of this conflict, the people were divided-some
believed that the theory explained the origin of life, but the religious
and the faithful strongly refuted it.
It even sparked a massive debate between science and religion. It was
only after some time that people came to understand that Darwin's
theory of evolution as not in fact against the teachings of the church
and both coexist.
Freudian Revolution
In the past, the field of psychology was always classified under
philosophy. Psychology was considered more of an art rather than a
science. In the late 19th century, Sigmund Freud was able to change
people’s perception of psychology with his revolutionary theory of
psychoanalysis.
Psychoanalysis is the study that explains human behavior. In this
theory, Freud explained that there are many conscious and
unconscious factors that can influence behavior and emotions. He also
argued that personality is a product of three conflicting elements: id,
ego, and superego. Science hardliners brushed off the legitimacy of
psychoanalysis as a science since its concepts were more philosophical
and supernatural. Many believed that Freud’s theory had no scientific
basis as no empirical or experimental data could support it.
Despite criticism, Freud still continued to work on refining his theory
and in fact tried to explain how psychoanalysis can be a clinical method
in treating some mental disorders. Soon enough, people were able to
understand the concepts of psychoanalysis, which eventually resulted
in classifying psychology as a science.
Key Points
• Intellectual revolution is a period where human shifts more on
scientific beliefs.
• Nicolaus Copernicus, Charles Darwin, and Sigmund Freud are some of
the intellectual revolutionists.
• Theory of evolution, Copernican Model, and Psychoanalysis are some
of the theories that replaced the old and unscientific knowledge of
society.
 Chapter III
Science, Technology and Nation Building
The development of science and technology in the Philippines has
already come a long way. Many significant inventions and discoveries
have been accomplished by or attributed to Filipinos. This chapter
tackles how the development of science and technology affect the
development of the Philippines as a nation.
 Pre-Colonial Period
Scientific and Technological development in the Philippines began in
the pre-colonial period. Even before the Spaniards came to the
Philippine islands, early Filipino settlers were already using certain
plants and herbs as medicines. Systems of farming and animal-raising
were also implemented. Moreover, early Filipinos had also developed
different modes of transportation, whether terrestrial or maritime.
A complicated engineering feat was achieved by the natives of the
Cordilleras when they built rice terraces by hand. Through there
terraces, the people were able to cultivate crops on the mountainsides in
cold temperatures. They incorporated an irrigation system that uses
water from the forests and mountain tops to achieve an elaborate
farming system. The rice terraces of the Cordilleras, which are still
functional, show the innovative and indigenous way of the natives to
survive in an otherwise unfriendly environment.
Colonial Period
Colonization by the Spaniards provided the Philippines which modern
means of construction. Walls, roads, bridges, and other large
infrastructures were built using some of the engineering skills and tools
brought by the Spaniards. In addition, the Spanish government
developed health and educational systems that were enjoyed by the
principalia class.
• The American occupation modernized almost all aspects of life in the
Philippines. They established a government agency, the Bureau of
Science, for the sole purpose of nurturing development in the field of
science and Technology.
 Post-Colonial Period
After achieving independence from the colonizers, the Philippines,
under different administrations, continued to pursue programs in
science and technology. Each leadership had its own science and
technology agenda. However, it is important to note that some
Philippine presidents posted more developments in the filed than
others.
One of the presidents who ushered in advancements in science and
technology was former president Ferdinand Marcos. Under his term,
many agencies in science and technology were established and
strengthened, including the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in place of the
abolished Weather Bureau;
The National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST); the
reconstituted National Science and Technology Authority (originally
established in 1958 as the National Science and Development Board
and now the Department of Science and Technology, among others.
Marcos saw that the key to nation-building is the continued
development of Science and technology. The progress in science and
technology continued even after his dictatorial rule and the presidents
after him left their own legacies in the field.
Key Points:
• The Philippines underwent in a period of pre-colonial, colonial and
post-colonial, which has a great influence in the development of
science and technology in the country.
• Even before the arrival of the colonizers the ancient Filipinos already
had a unique practices, tools and beliefs.
• The Spanish, American and even the Japanese colonizers had a great
influence to the development of science and technology in the
Philippines.
• Post-colonial Period aside that Philippines gained independence the
science and technology continue to foster as a priority concerns of
some Philippine presidents.
Human Flourishing in Science
and Technology
Module IV
Introduction
The progress in human civilization throughout
history represents the development of science and
technology. As the person flourishes and finds the
meaning of his existence in the midst the
technological advancement, he may consciously or
unconsciously acquire, consume, and destroy what
the world has to offer.

Science and technology have been part of human

existence and may have brought positive and negative
impacts on human flourishing. To understand and
appreciate the true nature of science and technology,
the German philosopher - Martin Heidegger-
encouraged us to examine not only the function and
instrumentality but also the greater impact on
humanity.
Human Flourishing
according to Aristotle

• According to Aristotle, there is an end of all of the

actions that we perform which we desire for
itself.
• This is what is known as eudaimonia, flourishing,
or happiness, which is desired for its own sake
with all other things being desired on its
account.
• Eudaimonia is a property of one's life when
considered as a whole. Flourishing is the highest
good of human endeavors and that toward which
all actions aim. It is success as a human being.
The best life is one of excellent human activity.
Human Flourishing in the
Christian Perspectives

• A flourishing life will be a life lived in

right relationship with God, with one’s
environment, with neighbors, and with
self.
• Human flourishing is understood as the
fulfillment of God’s good purposes for
human creatures and (following the
Reformed theologian Karl Barth) includes
the dimensions of relationship with God,
relationships with others, living a
physically embodied and integrated life,
and living out a particular vocation in a
particular place and time.
Humans as Creatures
“Creature” is a “Creature” is a
theological teleological
category category

“Creature” is a
normative or
evaluative as
well as
descriptive
category.
Human Flourishing in the socio-
psychological perspective

• Human well-being or flourishing, however,

consists in a much broader range of states
and outcomes, certainly including mental
and physical health, but also encompassing
happiness and life satisfaction, meaning and
purpose, character and virtue, and close
social relationships.
• Regardless of the particulars of different
understandings, most would concur that
flourishing, however conceived, would, at the
very least, require doing or being well in the
following five broad domains of human life:
(i) happiness and life satisfaction; (ii) health,
both mental and physical; (iii) meaning and
purpose; (iv) character and virtue; and (v)
close social relationships. All are arguably at
least a part of what we mean by flourishing.
Social-psychological dimensions Five
aspects of human existence
1. happiness and life satisfaction - is the way in which
people show their emotions, feelings (moods) and how
they feel about their directions and options for the
future.
2. mental and physical health - health is a combination
between complete physical, mental and social well-
being. The WHO states that “there is no health without
mental health.”
3. meaning and purpose - Your life purpose consists of
the central motivating aims of your life
4. character and virtue - one must not only know and
desire the good, one must also pursue it in both private
and public actions. Virtue is an aid in this; it is the act
of good character.
5. close social relationships - focuses on the
interaction between two individuals, paying close
attention to both behavior and what goes in people's
minds (emotions and cognitions)
Martin Heidegger
• German philosopher of the 20th
century
• Work is perhaps most readily
associated with phenomenology and
existentialism
• Written eloquently about his thoughts
on technology
The Question Concerning Technology
To question causality, Heidegger starts from what “[f]or
centuries philosophy has taught” regarding the
traditional "four causes”.

1. the “causa materialis, the material, the matter out

of which" something is made;
2. the “causa formalis, the form, the shape into which
the material enters”
3. the “causa finalis, the end, in relation to which [the
thing] required is determined as to its form and
matter";
4. the "causa efficiens, which brings about the effect
that is the finished [thing]”.
The Question Concerning Technology
Poiesis (Bringing Forth) Challenging-forth
● one sets upon the elements of a
● is the mode of revealing that situation both in the sense of
ordering and in a more rapacious
corresponds to ancient craft. sense.
● humans control the productive
● human beings were one process
important element among ● Production in the mode of
Challenging-forth reveals objects that
other sin the productive have the status of standing-reserve
process.
ENFRAMING
• Heidegger introduces the notion of standing-
reserve.
• Enframing means that way of revealing that
holds sway in the essence of modern
technology and that it is itself not technological.
• As he states, this threat "does not come in the
first instance from the potentially lethal
machines and apparatus of technology". Rather,
the threat is the essence because "the rule of
enframing threatens man with the possibility that
it could be denied to him to enter into a more
original revealing and hence to experience the
call of a more primal truth".

Albert Borgmann, "Technology," A Companion to Heidegger Ed. Dreyfus and Wrathall (Blackwell
Publishing, 2005), 428.
Why is technology a mode of
revealing?
• Technology, according to Heidegger must be
understood as “a way of revealing”. “Revealing” is
one of the terms Heidegger developed himself in
order to make it possible to think what, according to
him, is not thought anymore.
• How can technology be ‘a way of revealing’?
“Reality” is not something absolute that human
beings can ever know once and for all; it is relative in
the most literal sense of the word – it exists only in
relations. Reality ‘in itself’, therefore, is inaccessible
for human beings. As soon as we perceive or try to
understand it, it is not ‘in itself’ anymore, but ‘reality
for us.’
Social Media
• Social Media platforms allow users to have
conversations, share information, and
create web content. There are many forms
of social media, including blogs, micro-
blogs, wikis, social networking sites, photo-
sharing sites, instant messaging, video-
sharing sites, podcasts, widgets, virtual
worlds, and more.
• A digital tool that allows users to quickly
create and share content with the public.
Social media encompasses a wide range of
websites and apps. Some, like Twitter,
specialize in sharing links and short written
messages. Others, like Instagram and
TikTok, are built to optimize the sharing of
photos and videos.
• Most influential technological applications
of this century.
Types of Social Media
1. Social Networks - specialize
in connecting and exchanging
thoughts, ideas, and content
with other users

2. Media Networks - media

networks specialize in
distributing content like
photographs and videos.

3. Discussion Networks - ideal

outlet for posts that can spark
in-depth discussion among
users.
❖ Meta Platforms, Inc., doing business as Meta
and formerly known as Facebook, Inc., is an
American multinational technology
conglomerate based in Menlo Park, California.
❖ allows users, who sign-up for free profiles, to
connect with friends, work colleagues or
people they don't know, online.
❖ Facebook is also the primary source of news
and a platform for e-commerce companies to
reach out to their potential consumers.
❖ the most used social media platform in the
Philippines
❖ There were 95 200 000 Facebook users in
Philippines in January 2022 or 84% of its
entire population.
❖ a video-focused social networking service
owned by Chinese company ByteDance Ltd. It
hosts a variety of short-form user videos, from
genres like pranks, stunts, tricks, jokes, dance,
and entertainment
❖ The platform saw the highest number of app
downloads in Q1 2020 during pandemic,
driving over 315 million downloads
worldwide.
❖ platform has seen a huge rise in usage since
the outbreak of Covid-19.
 Positive Aspects Negative Aspects

• promoted communication • Inadequacy about your life or

• great avenue to create supportive
communities that help people appearance.
cope and maneuver through
different situations in life, • Fear of missing out (FOMO)
• raise awareness on important • Isolation
issues.
• outlet for your creativity and self- • Depression and anxiety
expression
• Discover (with care) sources of • Cyberbullying
valuable information and learning.
• Self-absorption
 MODULE 5

Module 5

Human Flourishing as Reflected in Progress

and Development
 MODULE 5
UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015,
provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.

The SDGs build on decades of

work by countries and the UN,
including the UN Department
of Economic and Social Affairs

In June 1992, at the Earth

Summit in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, more than 178 countries
adopted Agenda 21, a
comprehensive plan of action
to build a global partnership
for sustainable development to
improve human lives and
protect the environment.
 MODULE 5

Village of the Water Mills by Akiro Kurosawa

2. Consider the film “Village of the Water Mills

The Village of the Watermills is just a dream, yet, the truth
remains that the basic needs of human beings to live well are
clean air and water, plants to sustain life, peaceful and sound
sleep at night, clean environment, identity, and belongingness.

For an anthropologist, Jason Hickel, the SDGs primary strategy of

eradicating poverty is still about growth. He believes that this
"business as usual" strategy no longer works. The world has
grown so much, yet poverty escalates. Hence, for him, what the
world needs is an alternative paradigm. He puts forward his
alternative and refers to it as "de-development".
 MODULE 5

Hickel’s De-development
Given all the fanfare, one might think the SDGs are about to offer a fresh plan for how to save the world,
but beneath all the hype, it’s business as usual. The main strategy for eradicating poverty is the same:
growth.

Growth has been the main object of development for the past 70 years, despite the fact that it’s not
working. Since 1980, the global economy has grown by 380%, but the number of people living in poverty
on less than $5 (£3.20) a day has increased by more than 1.1 billion. That’s 17 times the population of
Britain. So much for the trickle-down effect.

Orthodox economists insist that all we need is yet more growth. More progressive types tell us that we
need to shift some of the yields of growth from the richer segments of the population to the poorer ones,
evening things out a bit. Neither approach is adequate. Why? Because even at current levels of average
global consumption, we’re overshooting our planet’s bio-capacity by more than 50% each year.

In other words, growth isn’t an option any more – we’ve already grown too much. Scientists are now
telling us that we’re blowing past planetary boundaries at breakneck speed. And the hard truth is that this
global crisis is due almost entirely to overconsumption in rich countries.
 MODULE 5

IDI
Right now, our planet only has enough resources for each of us to consume 1.8 “global hectares” annually – a
standardised unit that measures resource use and waste. This figure is roughly what the average person in Ghana or
Guatemala consumes. By contrast, people in the US and Canada consume about 8 hectares per person, while Europeans
consume 4.7 hectares – many times their fair share.

What does this mean for our theory of development? Economist Peter Edward argues that instead of pushing poorer
countries to “catch up” with rich ones, we should be thinking of ways to get rich countries to “catch down” to more
appropriate levels of development. We should look at societies where people live long and happy lives at relatively low
levels of income and consumption not as basket cases that need to be developed towards western models, but as
exemplars of efficient living.

In light of this, perhaps we should regard such countries not as underdeveloped, but rather as appropriately developed.
And maybe we need to start calling on rich countries to justify their excesses.

The idea of “de-developing” rich countries might prove to be a strong rallying cry in the global south, but it will be tricky
to sell to westerners. Tricky, but not impossible. According to recent consumer research, 70% of people in middle- and
high-income countries believe overconsumption is putting our planet and society at risk. A similar majority also believe
we should strive to buy and own less, and that doing so would not compromise our happiness. People sense there is
something wrong with the dominant model of economic progress and they are hungry for an alternative narrative.
 MODULE 5

Inclusive Development Index

The problem is that the pundits promoting this kind of transition are using the wrong language. They use terms such as de-
growth, zero growth or – worst of all – de-development, which are technically accurate but off-putting for anyone who’s not already
on board. Such terms are repulsive because they run against the deepest frames we use to think about human progress, and,
indeed, the purpose of life itself. It’s like asking people to stop moving positively thorough life, to stop learning, improving, growing.

Negative formulations won’t get us anywhere. The idea of “steady-state” economics is a step in the right direction and is growing in
popularity, but it still doesn’t get the framing right. We need to reorient ourselves toward a positive future, a truer form of
progress. One that is geared toward quality instead of quantity. One that is more sophisticated than just accumulating ever
increasing amounts of stuff, which doesn’t make anyone happier anyway. What is certain is that GDP as a measure is not going to
get us there and we need to get rid of it.

Either we slow down voluntarily or climate change will do it for us. We can’t
go on ignoring the laws of nature. But rethinking our theory of progress is not
only an ecological imperative, it is also a development one. If we do not act
soon, all our hard-won gains against poverty will
evaporate, as food systems collapse and mass
famine re-emerges to an extent not seen since the
19th century.

This is not about giving anything up. And it’s

certainly not about living a life of voluntary misery
or imposing harsh limits on human potential. On
the contrary, it’s about reaching a higher level of
understanding and consciousness about what
we’re doing here and why.
 MODULE 5

Hickel’s De-development
Global economic growth is making a stronger than expected comeback. It is likely to accelerate to as much as 4% in 2018 from 3.2% in
2016. This is good news on many fronts, but can we expect this stronger growth to relieve the frustrations about rising inequality and
economic insecurity that have rocked the political establishments of many countries? That has been the implicit assumption behind the
standard “growth model” of recent decades: a rising tide of GDP promoted particularly by supply side reforms and increased incentives
for private capital investment and export-oriented production will ultimately lift all boats.

But recent political developments around the world suggest that in many countries most citizens lack confidence in this. And ever since
the financial crisis, political leaders have been voicing similar skepticism, calling repeatedly in G20 communiques and UN declarations for
new and more deliberate efforts to make economic growth more socially inclusive.

Despite this new consensus that broad socioeconomic progress should be prioritized much more strongly in economic policy, GDP growth
statistics continue to be the primary way national economic performance is tracked by governments and reported in the media. Since
what gets measured tends to get managed, the primacy of GDP statistics tends to reinforce the imbalance of attention and resources
applied to macroeconomic and financial stability policies, which influence the overall level of economic activity, relative to the strength
and equity of institutions and policy incentives in such structural policy areas as skills development, labour markets, competition,
investor and corporate governance, social protection, infrastructure and basic services, which play an important role in shaping
the pattern of economic activity and particularly the breadth of social participation in the process and benefits of growth.

This is surely part of the reason the consensus on inclusive growth has yet to progress from collective aspiration to concerted action –
into a change in the standard model that underpins the mindset of most economic policymakers and the priorities they set.
This week at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, the Forum’s Shaping the Future of Economic Progress Initiative is
publishing such a broader measure of national economic performance, the Inclusive Development Index (IDI). The IDI is based on the
notion that most citizens evaluate their countries' economic progress not by the amount of goods and services produced in their
economy (GDP) but by their household's standard of living — a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses income, employment
opportunity, economic security and quality of life.
 MODULE 5

Hickel’s De-development
GDP growth is best understood as a top-line measure of national economic performance— it is a means (albeit a crucially important one)
to the bottom-line societal measure of success: broad-based progress in living standards. Accordingly, policymakers and citizens alike
would benefit from having an alternative, or at least complementary, bottom-line metric that measures the level and rate of
improvement in shared socioeconomic progress.

The IDI provides this bottom-line report card for 103 countries. It is based on a wider dashboard of 12 indicators in three areas: growth
and development; inclusion; and intergenerational equity and sustainability.

The Index’s comparative data provide striking evidence that relatively strong GDP growth cannot in and of itself be relied upon to
generate inclusive socioeconomic progress and a rising median standard of living. GDP per capita growth is rather weakly correlated with
performance on three-quarters of IDI indicators, including those pertaining to employment, income inequality, wealth inequality, median
household income, public indebtedness and carbon intensity.

This finding is even clearer when IDI trends over the past five years are considered. All but three advanced countries have seen GDP
expand over this period, but only 10 of 29 have registered clear progress on the IDI’s Inclusion pillar. A majority, 16 of 29, have seen
Inclusion deteriorate, and the remaining three have remained stable. This pattern is repeated in the relationship between performance
on GDP growth and the Index’s Intergenerational Equity and Sustainability pillar, and it holds even for the group of countries with the
strongest growth performance.

Developing country data show a similar disconnect between GDP growth and Inclusion. Of the 30 countries in the top two quintiles of
GDP growth performance during the past five years, only 6 have scored similarly well on a majority of the Inclusion indicators, while 13
have been no better than mediocre and 11 have registered outright poor performances.
 MODULE 5

Hickel’s De-development
GDP growth is a necessary but not sufficient condition for achievement of the broad-based progress in living standards on
which citizens ultimately judge their countries’ economic success. This message is important to bear in mind at a time
when global economic growth is finally rebounding to a more robust level. Political and business leaders should not expect
higher growth to be a panacea for the social frustrations that have roiled the politics of many countries in recent years.

Rather, a new growth model is needed that places people and living standards at the centre of national economic policy
and international economic integration. In fact, many countries have significant unexploited potential to simultaneously
increase economic growth and social inclusion. But activating the virtuous circle of inclusive growth more fully will require
them to:

• Reimagine structural economic reform as an effort to strengthen the ecosystem of institutions and structural policies in
an economy that play an important role in driving both broad-based progress in living standards and higher growth;
and
• Adopt a broader metric of national economic success that corresponds better to and incentivizes policymaker
performance against society’s bottom-line measure of economic progress: broad and sustained improvement in living
standards.

The implicit income distribution system within many countries is in fact severely underperforming or relatively
underdeveloped, but this is due to a lack of attention to and investment in key areas of policy rather than an iron law of
capitalism. Inequality is largely an endogenous rather than exogenous challenge for policymakers and needs to be
recognized, prioritized and measured as such in order to sustain public confidence in the capacity of technological
progress and international economic integration to support rising living standards for all.
 MODULE 5
Key Points:

l The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals aim

to address the problem of poverty worldwide which persists
despite the so called progress and development.

l Hickel proposed that instead of pushing the developing

countries to catch up, developed countries should “catch
down” on resource consumption so that the Earth can still
sustain human needs and continue to flourish.
 MODULE 5
Key Points:

l Growth and development being the measure of progress

does not necessarily transform to happiness and
contentment of individuals in a country. Other factors
should also be considered as proposed in the Inclusive
Development Index

l Endeavor to integrate the concept of sustainability in all

actions and decisions as we work towards the good life.
 Module 6
The Good Life

https://www.theweek.in/columns/sadhguru/a-good-planet-a-good-life.html
• The good life is a term for the life that one would like
to live, or for happiness

• Associated with Aristotle’s eudaimonia

(in his Nicomachean Ethics)

• Eudaimonia is a term that means happiness and is a

central aim of stoic philosophy
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The good_life)

https://www.google.com/search?q=good+life++images&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwi7wLim6O_pAhUMbJQKHbSx
C98Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=good+life++images&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzICCAAyAg
“if… we take the characteristic activity of a human
being to be a certain kind of life; and if we take this
kind of life to be activity of the soul and actions in
accordance with reason… and a characteristic activity
to be accomplished well when it is accomplished in
accordance with the appropriate virtue; then if this is
so, human good turns out to be activity of the soul in
accordance with virtue.”
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics
(http://www.mcat.com/blog/aristotles-secret-happiness/)

https://www.google.com/search?q=aristotle+Nicomachean+ethics+images&tbm=isch&ved=2
ahUKEwikz6ab6-_pAhWTA6YKHfJCBLgQ2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=aristotle+Nicomachean+ethics+images&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1CyohBY7cQQY
PzH
• According to Aristotle, happiness is the ultimate
end of human action (McNamara, D., et. al., 2018)

• Happiness is consists in achieving, through the

course of a lifetime, all the goods – health, wealth,
knowledge, friends, etc. leading to perfection of
human nature and enrichment of human life.
(http://www.pursuit-of-happiness-org)

• Happiness defines a good life. (McNamara, D., et.

al., 2018)

https://www.google.com/search?q=happiness+images&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwizgvmd7O_pAhVG1ZQKHedDDpkQ2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=happiness+images&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgIIADI
 Happiness/Well-Being

Eudaimonia Hedonia

Psychological well- Subjective well-

being being
the focus is on
Focus is on living life in
happiness the
a full and deeply
presence of positive
satisfying way
affect and the
absence of negative
affect
Hedonia
•Seek pleasure and satisfaction
•Avoid pain and discomfort
•Focus on self present moment
•Focus on consuming what one
needs and wants
Hedonia
• Presence of positive mood
• Absence of negative mood
• Satisfaction with various domains
of life
• Global life satisfaction
 Happiness/Well-Being

Eudaimonia Hedonia

Psychological well- Subjective well-

being being
the focus is on
Focus is on living life in
happiness the
a full and deeply
presence of positive
satisfying way
affect and the
absence of negative
affect
Eudaimonia
•Reliant on Maslow’s ideas of
self actualization
•Adopts self-determination
theory(Keyes et.al., 2002; Deci
& Ryan, 2000)
•For Aristotle, ultimate
happiness would be
contemplation
Eudaimonia
• Sense of control or autonomy
• Feeling of meaning and purpose
• Personal expressiveness
• Feelings of belongingness
• Social contribution
• Competence
• Personal growth
• Self acceptance
• Virtue play a significant role in living and attainment
of the good life (McNamara, D., et.al. 2018)

• Two kinds of virtue: intellectual and moral

(McNamara, D., et.al. 2018)

• Virtues we must practice to achieve happiness

(Aristotle): intelligence and scientific knowledge;
practical wisdom; temperance; generosity and
friendship; courage and contemplation
(http://www.mcat.com/blog/aristotles-secret-happiness/)
 Theme: Happier together

google.com/search?q=+world+happiness+day+2019++images&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjgl9GQ_O_p
AhXrGKYKHaNeAsUQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=+world+happiness+day+2019++images&gs_lcp=CgNpb
Esteban Ortiz-Ospina and Max Roser (2018) -
"Happiness and Life Satisfaction". Published
online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved
from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/happiness-
and-life-satisfaction' [Online Resource]

https://ourworldindata.org/happiness-and-life-satisfaction
Ortiz-Ospina & Roser (2018)
https://www.google.com/search?q=self+reported+world+happiness+day+2019++images&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjyhoqV8u_pAhVqwIsBHZ
VMBwcQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=self+report
Key variable used to explain happiness
differences among countries and through
time
• Income
• Healthy life expectancy
• Social support https://www.google.com/search?q=income+pic&hl=en-

• Life events
• Freedom
• Trust (absence of corruption in business
and government)
Do you agree?
Can you add to the
list?
Pathway to happiness from positive
psychology view: (Peterson, et.al.)
1. pleasure
2. engagement
3. meaning