Subject

Science, Technology and Society

  • code 09143
  • course 3
  • term Semester 2
  • type OB
  • credits 3

Module: Structures and systems of development

Matter: Sociedad y Cultura

Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: English

Teaching staff

Head instructor

Dr. Josep CORCÓ - jcorco@uic.es

Office hours

Before or after class.

The students can also request an appointment with the professors by email.

Introduction

Science and technology are key elements of contemporary societies. They have tangible consequences in our lives. They provide tools which modify our ways of living and interacting with one another, and they foster the emergence of new paradigms which allow a better understanding of the world and the human being. Therefore, it is not possible to conceive a fully humanistic perspective ignoring science and technology.

Pre-course requirements

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Objectives

1. To acquire a critical perspective on science and the way scientific knowledge is developed.

2. To acquire an overview of the theories in philosophy of science which have had greater relevance in the 20th century.

3. To acquire a critical perspective on the technological system and its social implications.

4. To acquire an overview of the most relevant theories in philosophy of technology in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Competences / Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • E18 - To acquire the perception and knowledge of the physical space in which human activity develops.
  • E20 - Ability to reflect on human-environment interaction and the organisation of the resulting territory.
  • G03 - To search for and/or administer economic resources within the framework of an institution or company, or a cultural programmes, project or service.
  • E01 - Ability to provide a humanistic/cultural vision to other sciences or methods.
  • E30 - Ability to define cultural research topics which can contribute to the improvement and innovation of society.
  • E31 - To pass on knowledge and good practices to other sectors.
  • E07 - To acquire knowledge on the different issues and problems of current cultural debate and be aware of their constant change.

Learning outcomes of the subject

Upon course completion, students will be able to:

1. Understand the epistemological keys of scientific knowledge and the cultural keys of the technological system.

2. Make a critical evaluation of texts, articles, and other cultural products (such as novels, films, etc.) which discuss the techno-scientific system and its social implications.

3. Make a presentation of the techno-scientific system from a humanistic perspective.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to philosophy of technology.

2. Main Themes and Featured Authors:

2.1. Featured authors: Ortega y Gasset, Heidegger, McLuhan, Ellul, Kranzberg, Jonas, Kurzweil, Sloterdijk, Pigem, Wilber.
2.2. Technological ‘sub-ages’.
2.3. Transhumanism and Post-humanism.
2.4. Current trends in technological development.
2.5. The world of technology World VS the world of life.

3. The socio-techno-scientific system.

4. So what is the problem with technology?

5. The role of the humanist in the technological society.

6. Introduction to philosophy of science.

7. The scientific world.

8. Critical attitude in science.

9. Scientific revolutions.

10. Scientific research programmes.

11. Science and society.

12. The assumptions of science.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person

To pass the course the student is required to pass both parts of the course (Philosophy of Science and Philosophy of Technology) separately. The overall grade will be calculated as the average of the grades of both parts.

If the student fails one part, he will only have to retake the exam for that part.

If the student fails the repeat exam of any part, he fails the whole course.

EVALUATION SYSTEMPERCENTAGE
Final Exam
50%
Student's active participation in class
15%
Projects, reports, exercises, reading analysis, etc.
35%

Bibliography and resources

Philosophy of science:

Agazzi, E., La ciencia y el alma de Occidente, Tecnos, Madrid 2011.

Artigas, M., La mente del universo, EUNSA, Pamplona 1999.

Artigas, M., Filosofía de la ciencia, EUNSA, Pamplona 1999.

Echeverría, J., Introducción a la metodología de la ciencia, Cátedra, Madrid 1999.

Kuhn, T., La estructura de las revoluciones científicas, FCE, México 1975.

Lakatos, I., La metodología de los programas de investigación científica, Alianza, Madrid 1989.

Marcos, A., Ciencia y acción. Una filosofía práctica de la ciencia, FCE, México 2013.

Miller, D. (comp.), Popper: escritos selectos, FCE, México 2013.

Popper, K., Conocimiento objetivo, Tecnos, Madrid 2005.

Philosophy of technology:

Ellul, J., Le bluff technologique. Hachette, París 1988.

Esquirol, J.M., Los filósofos contemporáneos y la técnica. De Ortega a Sloterdijk, Gedisa, Barcelona 2012.

Heidegger, M., “Sobre la técnica”, Conferencias y artículos, Serbal, Barcelona 1994.

Huxley, A., Un Mundo feliz. Plaza & Janes, Barcelona 1986.

Jonas, H., El principio de responsabilidad, Herder, Barcelona 1995.

Kurzweil, R., La singularidad está cerca. Cuando los humanos trascendamos la biología. Lola Books, Berlin 2012.

McLuhan, M., The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man. University of Toronto Press, Toronto 1962.

Ortega, J., Meditación de la técnica y otros ensayos sobre ciencia y filosofía. Alianza, Madrid 1982.

Teaching and learning material

      Websites
            All the materials of the course are avaiable in the virtual space for the course. http://www.uic.es/e-uic/course/view.php?id=1433 
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