by When looking at science and technology in our world, it is often extremely difficult to clearly define what is scientific and also what is technology. Depending on how we define science, we can either step back and appreciate relevant and important, yet less exact findings, or we can discredit them as unscientific. All new findings within the field of science and theory are important and should be appreciated for what they are worth, still while analyzing them critically. Similarly, it is often difficult to define what technology is. When people think of technology, they usually think about computers and complex machines. In order to have a broader idea of what technology is, we must look at how and why humans began to create technology, how society was shaped by technology, and also how technology shaped society over the course of history. By stepping back and developing a broader definition of science and technology, we are able to better comprehend the world we live in.
There have been many findings within physical science fields that are undoubtedly scientific, however there have been many sociological and psychological theories that are much less exact than a mathematics-based physical science, yet are extremely insightful and important. 20th-century philosopher, Karl Popper, defined a scientific theory as a theory that can be tested using empirical methods. Popper’s criterion of what is scientific is based on a theory’s falsifiability, refutability, or in other words, testability. While Popper felt the need to draw the line regarding what is scientific and what is non-scientific, if we completely disregard all theories that do not fall into his category of what is scientific, then we fail to recognize the importance of many sociological and psychological theories such as Sigmund Freud’s psycho-analysis. Freud’s psycho-analysis offered a completely new understanding of our conscious and unconscious thoughts. Due to the nature of Freud’s theory, it can not be tested using empirical methods, and therefore would be considered unscientific based on Popper’s definition. Referring to Freud’s psycho-analysis, Popper states, “I personally do not doubt that much of what they say is of considerable importance, and may well play its part one day in a psychological science which is testable” (Popper, 37). While this theory can not be tested using empirical methods, if we disregard the theory as nonsense, then we fail to recognize some of the truthfulness and accuracy of the theory. Instead of disregarding theories that may be considered unscientific, I think it is important that we analyze these theories in the most critical way possible as it will help us gain a better understanding of the world.
When looking at the field of technology, it can be difficult to define what technology is. I often think of technology as computers and machines, however if we take a step back and look into the history of technology, we can gain a better understanding of what technology really is and how it became such an essential part of our lives. David Nye argues that the purpose of technology is not to provide necessities such as food and shelter. “Rather, technologies have been used for social evolution”(Nye, 2). Nye looks back at Paleolithic times where early humans used technology in the form of basic stone tools and he discusses how humans have evolved socially to a point today where we use technologies in the form of high powered computers and airplanes, among others, to improve our lives. In society, humans frequently redefine what is necessary to them to include more, and thus over the course of history, technology has evolved from early stone tools to current day computers. Regardless of the complexity of different technologies, it is important to recognize why certain technologies are created, the skills needed to use them, and how the technologies affect society. By analyzing the history of technology, Nye does an extremely great job of explaining technology in a much broader way. As humans evolve and society progresses, technology evolves as well to create new functions and solve new problems. Without looking at technology in the broad sense of the social evolution of humans, we fail to understand what technology really is, which leads us to understand the connection between technology and society in a more narrow way.
When looking at the fields of science and technology, it is important to have a broad definition of the two as it allows us to better understand our world and the connections between the fields and human society. If we have a narrow-minded approach and totally disregard a theory that is not defined as ‘scientific,’ then we overlook some of the truthfulness and accuracy within the theory. In the same way, if we take a narrow-minded approach and view technology only for its direct purpose, then we overlook the connection between technology and society and how technology has developed to the point it is at today. By analyzing the fields of science and technology in a broad, yet critical way, we are able to better understand the world around us.
Sources:
David Nye, “Can We Define Technology?” in Technology Matters, 1-16.
Karl Popper, selections from “Science: Conjectures and Refutations,” in Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge (London: Routledge 1963), pp. 33-39.