Conclusion
141 Conclusion
Kate Billingsley and Alexander Daichendt
introduction
The field of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) “seeks to promote cross-disciplinary integration, civic engagement, and critical thinking” of concepts in the worlds of science and technology (Harvard University, n.d.). “Science, technology and innovation each represent a successively larger category of activities which are highly interdependent but distinct.”(Harvey Brooks). These key aspects of our world collaborate and take from each other on a daily basis all for the sake of improvment. As an aspect of everyday life, technology is continuously evolving to ensure that humanity can be productive, efficient, and follow the path of globalization. STS is a concept that encompasses countless fields of study, all while being it’s own main point of focus as a whole. “Scientists, engineers, and medical professionals swim (as they must) in the details of their technical work: experiments, inventions, treatments and cures. “promotes cross-disciplinary integration, civic engagement, and critical thinking”It’s an intense and necessary focus” (Stanford University, n.d.). On the opposite side of the spectrum is also STS, which “draws attention to the water: the social, political, legal, economic, and cultural environment that shapes research and invention, supports or inhibits it — and is in turn shaped by evolving science and technology” (Stanford University, n.d.). But what about the center of that spectrum? What about the relationship between all three of these aspects? The belief that the system in its inner workings may not be that of an equal relationship, but rather a system of a push and pull arrangement. (modified)
According to Oberdan (2010), science and technology share identical goals. “At first glance, they seem to provide a deep and thorough going division between the two but, as the discussion progresses, it will become clear that there are, indeed, areas of overlap, too” (Oberdan, 25). Philosophers believe that for a claim to be considered knowledge, it must first be justified, like a hypothesis, and true. Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer, Galileo Galilei, was incredibly familiar with the obstacles involved with proving something to be a fact or a theory within the scientific world. Galileo was condemned by the Roman Catholic church for his beliefs that contradicted existing church doctrine (Coyne, 2013). Galileo’s discoveries, although denounced by the church were incredibly innovative and progressive for their time, and are still seen as the basis for modern astronomy today. Nearly 300 years later, Galileo was eventually forgiven by the church, and to this day he is seen as one of the most well known and influential astronomers of all time. Many new innovations and ideas often receive push back before becoming revolutionary and universal practices.
Let’s review the relationships using what we just discussed as the basis. First, consider the relati