SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
What are Science, Technology and society, and why should people want to study and learn it? Why should students, teachers, researchers and other professionals have interest interest in the subject? subject? Primaril Primarily, y, we need some background and understanding understanding of the significance of science and technology in the living past and their importance in the modern world (Mosteiro,2004) DEFINITIONS OF SCIENCE. 1. SCIE SCIENC NCE E IS IS A PROC PROCES ESS S a. Conc Concer erne ned d with with disc discov over erin ing g rela relati tion onsh ship ipss betw betwee een n obse observ rvab able le phenomena in terms of theories. b. Syste Systemat matize ized d theoret theoretica icall inquiri inquiries es c. It seeks seeks for truth truth about about natu nature. re. d. It is determ determined ined by observa observation, tion, hypothes hypothesis, is, measurem measurement, ent, analysis analysis and and experimentation e. It is the descrip description tion and and explanati explanation on of the the developmen developmentt of knowled knowledge ge f. It is the study study of the beginnin beginning g and end end of everyt everything hing that that exist. exist. g. Conceptualiza Conceptualization tion of new ideas, ideas, from from the abstra abstract ct to the the particular particular.. h. Kind Kind of human human cult cultura urall acti activit vity. y. 2. SCIE SCIENC NCE E IS IS A PRO PRODU DUCT CT a. Syste Systemat matize ized, d, organize organized d body of knowledge knowledge based based on facts facts or truths truths observations. b. b. A set set of logi logica call and and empi empiri rica call met methods hods whi which prov proviide for for the systematic observation of empirical phenomena. c. Source Source of cognit cognitive ive author authority ity.. d. Concer Concerned ned with with verifi verifiabl ablee concep concepts ts e. A pro produ duct ct of the the min mind d f. It is the variety variety of knowledge knowledge,, people, people, skills skills,, organizat organization ions, s, faciliti facilities, es, techniques, physical resources, methods and technologies that taken together and in relation with one another.
The Nature of Science Prof. Pacifico U. Payawal
“Science is the interpretation of nature and man is the interpreter.”(G. Gore 1878)1 “Nature, with all her irregularities, might have been just as real even if there were no men to observe and to study her. But there could have been no science without human beings, or beings like them. It is the spirit of man brooding over the stream of natural events that has given birth to science.” (A Wolf 1925).2
“Science is the attempts to make the chaotic diversity of our sense experience correspond to a logically uniform system of thought.” (A. Einstein 1940)3
What is Science? According to the definitions given by gore, Wolf, and Einstein, the subject matter of science is nature. Every physical entity in the extra terrestrial and terrestrial environment is a component of nature. The galaxies, the stars in the galaxy, the planets and their moons, the asteroids and the comets, the air, water, and soil; the plants
and the animals, animals, they are physic physical al entities entities of Mother Mother Nature. Nature. We
are conscio conscious us of
nature’s reality because of the stimuli emanating from these entities which our sense perceived.
Nature is very complex. The multitudes of entities comprising nature, and their complex interactions, make nature innately complex. Therefore, the totality of stimuli emanating from her is intuitively chaotic. Science represents the attempt of man to put order to this chaotic perception of nature. Thus, Albert Einstein 3 defined science as “Man’s attempts to make the chaotic diversity of his sense experience correspond to a logically uniform system of thought.” And indeed, as G. Gore1 wrote,” Science is the interpretation of nature and man is the interpreter.” And as A. Wolf 2 opined,” It is the spirit of man brooding over the stream of natural events that has given birth to science,” Clearly, science is the product of human curiosity.
Why are we curious? It is almost an instinct for us humans to try to understand what our senses perceived because of our highly developed mental skills. These are the mental skills to observe, infer, measure, classify, experiment, and to communicate. Through the ages, our ancestors learned to use these skills in a methodical manner to investigate the ‘how,’ the ‘why,’ and the ‘when’ of natural events. This methodical manner to ou r mental skills to satisfy human curiosity is the scientific method.
Using the scientific method, generation after generation pf scientist gradually discovered the natural laws that govern natural processes. As each generation described with an ever increasing accuracy the events and circumstances that prevail in nature, what was once perceived as chaotic becomes rational, and man saw the unity in the diversity of nature. In other word, the scientific endeavors spanning several generations yielded a number of natural laws. These laws reduce natural events in nature to orderly predictable events.
What sets the limitation of science? Science is a product of the human senses and the human mind and that is why there could be no science in the absence of an intelligent being like a human or any other intelligent creature like him. And therein lies the limitation of science; the limitation of the human senses and the limitation of the human mind. We can not investigate what our senses cannot perceive, and we can not explain beyond what our human mind can understand. As a matter of fact, the optical and the electron microscope, the optical and radio telescopes, and all the other new scientific instruments are but the result of our attempts to extend our sense of perception.
How does science operate? Science is a self correcting and self-generating human activity. Using the scientific method, each generation of scientist develop explanations of natural phenomena but at the same time, within the same generation, there are scientists who question the validity of the proposed explanations. And within the same generation, there are scientists who arrive at some new observations which lead to the identification of new and heretofore undescribed phenomena. In this manner science is self-correcting and self-generating, it is never stagnant.
How does the Scientific Method operate? The scientific method is a mental process which serves as the “tool” of scientist with which new discoveries are made Although the scientific method is traditionally characterized as a rigid mental process consisting of (a) observation, (b) problem identification, (c) hypothesis formulation, and (d) drawing of conclusions as to the possible validity if the prediction, scientists are not in general agreement as to exactly what constitutes c onstitutes scientific procedure.
In realit reality, y, this this rigid rigid proces processs called called the scient scientifi ificc method method did prove useful useful in some some partic particula ularr instan instances ces,, like like in biolog biology y where where the proble problem m is amenabl amenablee to experi experiment mental al manipulation. But in some other cases, the problem may not be amenable to controlled manipulation, like in the geological process of volcanic eruption and mountain building. Under such unmanageable events, the traditional scientific procedure is unrealistic.
What seems to be common to all scientific investigations is that scientific procedure involves postulating and testing hypothesis. The testing part may or may not strictly involve involve experimentat experimentation ion but accurate observation observations. s. In other words, not all scientists scientists necessarily conduct experiments to prove hypotheses.
In the development and proving of hypotheses, scientists use inductive and deductive logic, but they do not tend to think exclusively in one way or the other at different times. In practi practice, ce, they they use the interp interplay lay of induct inductive ive and deducti deductive ve logic. logic. Induct Inductive ive logic logic proceeds from the specifies and arrives at a generalization. On the contrary, deductive proceeds from the general to the specific. To be sure, the following examples are in order.
Inductive logic involves arriving at a probable conclusion based on several samplings. Suppose that a person tasted a green mango and found it sour and slightly tangy to the taste buds. Then he subsequently tasted 24 other mangoes and found the same result. Based on the these 25 samplings, he may then conclude that all green mangoes are sour and tangy to the taste. Inductive logic thus proceeds from several specific observations to a generalization. Most of the major theories are arrived at I this manner. For example, the
Cell Theory, the Theory of Biological Evolution by Natural Selection, and the theory of plate tectonics, all these are generalizations arrived at by inductive reasoning.
Deductive logic proceeds from a generalization to specifics. For example, after testing 25 green mangoes and finding them sour and tangy, one may hypothesize that the next mango he will taste will be sour and tangy. This kind of reasoning is used to formulate a new hypothesis after a generalization. For example, the generalization that all green mang mangoe oess are are sour sour and and tang tangy y was was arri arrive ved d at afte afterr 25 gree green n mang mangoe oes. s. From From this this generalization, the scientists may further formulate a new hypothesis using deductive logic. If 25 green mangoes are sour and tangy, then the next green mango I will taste should be sour and tangy. If indeed the mango tasted sour and tangy, then the validity of the origin original al genera generaliz lizati ation on has gained gained greate greaterr probab probabili ility ty (or credib credibili ility) ty).. Thus, Thus, the scientific procedure; or science progress by the interplay of inductive and deductive reasoning.
It should be pointed out however that inductive generalization never attain absolute certainty. They only attain higher degrees of probability. For example, the probability that all green mangoes are sour and tangy based on 25 samples has a lower degree of certainty than if the sample size is increased to 20 mangoes. But even if the sample size is increased tom 1000 green mangoes, still there is no absolute certainty that all green mangoes are sour and tangy. The number of green mangoes is infinite and no one can be absolutely certain the next green mango to be tasted will not be sweet. Thus science can only seek for the most probable truth and never for the absolute truth. A.W. Ghent developed a conceptual scheme to illustrate the role of inductive and deductive logic in the conduct of scientific investigation.
The scheme shows that scientific procedure begins with an educated guesswork about the probable explanation to a perceived problem. The guesswork is an educated guess based on previously previously known facts related to the problem. The scientist scientistss then make a prediction based on the guesswork; this is the hypothesis. Thus, hypothesis formulation involves deduc deducti tive ve reas reasoni oning ng and and goes goes this this way,’ way,’ If(a If(an n assu assump mpti tion on is made made base based d on the the guesswo guesswork) rk),, then then (the (the predic predictio tion n that that is expecte expected d if the assump assumptio tion n is valid) valid).. The prediction is actually the anticipated event to happen if the assumption is correct.
Experiments or factual observations are then made to prove the validity of the hypothesis. Usually, Usually, the result of the experiment/ experiment/obser observation vationss may overlap only slightly slightly with those predicted by the hypothesis. Nevertheless, the result allows the investigator to arrive
inductively at new and more realistic concept (guesswork) about the explanation as the problem.
From the improved guesswork, a new and more realistic hypothesis is made by deductive logic. Experimentation/observations are then made to test the new hypothesis which normally results in a much improved guesswork. Thus, the interplay of deductive and induct inductive ive reason reasoning ing contrib contribute utess to increa increasin singly gly reali realisti sticc concep conceptt of explan explanati ation on to a problem. I other words, the interplay yields increasingly reliable factual knowledge less and less of guesswork.
Is technology a part of science? The little we understood about nature we were able to use to develop technologies that enabled us to survive and progress; and to be the most dominant animal species on earth. But technology is not science. Science only seeks to understand nature, no more no less; technology is but the application of what science has discovered, for better for worst. That is why usefulness is not a prerequisite to the generation of knowledge; on the contrary, usefulness is the primary prerequisite to the generation of technology.
DEFINITIONS OF TECHNOLOGY On the same view, technology is defined as both a PROCESS and a PRODUCT 1. TECH TECHNO NOLO LOGY GY AS A PRO PROCE CESS SS a. It is the applica applicatio tion n of scienc science. e. b. The practic practice, e, descripti description, on, and termi terminology nology of applied applied sciences sciences.. c. The intelli intelligent gent organiz organizati ation on and manipu manipulat lation ion of materi materials als for useful useful purposes. d. The means means employed employed to provide provide for human needs needs and wants. wants. e. Focus Focused ed on inve invent ntin ing g new or bette betterr tool toolss and mate materi rial alss or new and better ways of doing things. f. A way of using using findi findings ngs of scien science ce to produc producee new things things for for a better better way of living. g. Search Search for concret concretee solutions solutions that that work work and give give wanted results. results. h. It is char charac acte terristic stical allly calc calcul ulat atiive and and imit imitat atiive, ve, tends ends to be dangerously manipulative. i. Form Form of of huma human n cultu cultura rall acti activi vity ty.. 2. TECH TECHNO NOLO LOGY GY AS A PRO PRODU DUCT CT a. A system system of know-how know-how,, skills skills,, techniques techniques and processe processes. s. b. b. It is like like a lang langua uage ge,, ritu ritual als, s, valu values es,, comm commer erce ce and and arts arts,, it is an intrinsic part of a cultural system and it both shapes and reflects the system values. c. It is is the the product product of the the scien scienti tific fic conc concept ept.. d. The complex complex combinat combination ion of knowledge, knowledge, materia materials ls and methods. methods. e. Materi Material al product productss of human human making making or fabric fabricati ation. on. f. Tota Totall soc socie ieta tall ent enter erpr pris ise. e. DEFINITIONS OF SCEINCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1. A fiel field d of endeav endeavor or upon which which a twotwo-wa way y inte intera ract ctio ion n oper operat ates es betwee between n science and technology.
2. 3.
4.
Inte Interd rdep epen ende dent nt and and over overla lapp ppin ing g meth method odss whic which h empl employ oy both both exis existi ting ng knowledge and existing know-how. A system system of know-how, know-how, skills, skills, techniq techniques ues and processes processes which which enable enable societ society y to produce, distribute, install, maintain or improve goods and services needed to satisfy human needs. Is an interd interdisc iscipl iplina inary ry field field of study that that seeks seeks to explore explore and underst understand and the many ways that modern science and technology shape modern culture, values and institutions, and how modern values shape science and technology.
PURPOSES OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1. To impro improve ve quali quality ty of human human condi conditi tion. on. 2. To provid providee soluti solution on to our prac practi tical cal probl problems ems.. 3. To establish establish relevant relevant institu institutional tional linkage linkagess and essential essential mechanis mechanisms ms 4. To devel develop op indi individ vidual ual knowle knowledge dge.. 5. To find order order in the chaos chaos of nature nature and deliver deliver personal personal and social social libera liberation tion 6. To give an informat information ion and explanation explanation of of the natural natural world world 7. To devel develop op new new areas areas of knowle knowledge dge 8. To comb combat at irr irrat atio iona nali lity ty.. 9. To maintai maintain n the availabili availability ty of of natural natural resources resources LIMITATIONS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1. Epistemolo Epistemological gical concern concerns. s. It cannot cannot help help us with questions questions about about the the God, God, the ultimate ultimate Good, and Truth. It cannot deny nor confirm confirm the existence existence of God, soul, heaven and other uncertainties. 2. Metaph Metaphysi ysical cal concerns. concerns. Immateri Immaterial al and transcen transcendent dental al nature nature is beyond beyond the grasp grasp of scient scientifi ificc inquir inquiry. y. It cannot cannot speak speak to issues issues of ultimat ultimatee origin origin,, meaning, or morality. 3. Axiological Axiological concerns. concerns. It cannot answer questions questions about value. 4. Dependent Dependent on the the values values and personal personal beliefs beliefs of those those who use it. it. 5. Use of natural natural resou resource rcess that are being being used in scienc sciencee and technolo technology gy are limited 6. Data Data is limite limited d to the physica physicall lly y observabl observable. e. 7. Ultima Ultimatel tely y rest rest on past past observ observati ations ons 8. Not all of its its principles principles are applicable applicable to to different different world world phenomen phenomena. a. 9. Needs human human interv intervention ention to carry carry out out its functions functions properly properly 10. 10. It can can pred predic ictt forc forces es of natu nature re but but it cann cannot ot prev preven entt the the prev preven entt the the prevalence/occurrence 11. Can not guarantee an ultimate solution to any specific specific problem. 12. Can not fully explain what is is in the mind of a person. TECHNOLOGY Technological leadership is vital to the national interest of any developing and developed nation. As we enter the twenty-first twenty-first century, humans ability ability to harness the the power and promise of leading-edge advances in technology will determine, in large measure, national prosperity, security, and global influence, and with them the standard of living and quality of life. Requirements for technological innovations 1. rese resear arch ch and and dev devel elopm opment ent 2. cadre cadre of of scie scienti ntists sts and engineer engineerss 3. diver diverse se manuf manufac actu turi ring ng base base 4. produ product ctiv ivee work workfo forc rcee 5. broad broad and and sophi sophisti sticat cated ed servi service ce secto sector r 6. climate climate and culture culture that encourag encouragee competition, competition, risk risk taking taking and entreprene entrepreneurshi urship p Technology and Economy
1. Technology Technology is the the single most most importan importantt determining determining factor factor in sustai sustained ned economic growth, estimated to account for as much as half a nation’s growth over the past 50 years. 2. Technology Technology is transfor transforming ming the very very basis basis of competiti competition-enab on-enabling ling small small businesses to perform high-quality design and manufacturing work that previously required the resources of big business, while allowing big businesses to achieve the speed, flexibility, and proximity to customers that were once the sole domain of smaller firms. 3. Technology Technology provides provides the the tools tools for creati creating ng a spectacular spectacular array array of of new products and new services. Technology and the Quality of Life New technologies are improving the quality quality of life. These are seen in: 1. Medical Medical research research in pharma pharmaceutic ceuticals, als, biotechno biotechnology, logy, and and medical medical devices devices helps us lead healthier lives and offers new hope for the sick. 2. Environmenta Environmentall research research brings brings better better monitoring monitoring,, prevention, prevention, and remediati remediation on technologies. 3. Advanced Advanced monitoring monitoring and and forecasti forecasting ng technologie technologiess – from satellites satellites to simulation – are helping to save lives and minimize property damage by severe weather. 4. Sophisticat Sophisticated ed traffic traffic management management systems systems for land, land, sea, and air transpor transportati tation on enable the smooth and timely movement of more people and goods. 5. Agricultur Agricultural al research research is producing producing safer, safer, healthi healthier, er, and tastier tastier food food products. products. 6. Automobile Automobile research research is is providing providing safer, safer, cleaner, cleaner, energy energy efficient efficient,, and more intelligent vehicles. 7. Aeronautical Aeronautical technol technology ogy is making making air travel travel safer, safer, less less costly, costly, and more more environmentally compatible. 8. Energy resear research ch is helping helping to deliver deliver cleaner, cleaner, renewabl renewable, e, and less less expensive expensive fuels. 9. Informati Information on and telecommuni telecommunicatio cations ns technologie technologiess have enabled enabled instantaneo instantaneous us communications around the globe. Emerging Technology Issues 1. Informati Information on Age. Important Important issues issues include include:: fair rules rules of competit competition, ion, the protection of intellectual property, the security of business transactions in electronic commerce, individual rights to privacy, law enforcement investigation, upgrading the skills of the workforce, and integrating information technologies into the educational system and the delivery of government services. 2. Global Investments Investments.. Support Support for for resear research ch and and technolog technology y developm development ent remains strong in the advanced industrial nations such as U.S., Japan and the countries of the European Union. Several Asian countries countries – including South Korea, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia – are rapidly developing technical capabilities that will enhance their competitive position in global markets. Many industrializing industrializing countries are emphasizing emphasizing the development of indigenous technological capabilities – increasing research and development investments, establishing research institutes and key technology programs, forming government-industry partnerships, boosting technical manpower development programs, modernizing key manufacturing sectors, and planning for information superhighways. Technology Policy. 1. retain retain a long-term long-term commit commitment ment to resear research ch education, education, and and innovation. innovation. 2. create create a business business environment environment in in which the innovat innovative ive and competit competitive ive efforts efforts of the private sector can flourish 3. encourage encourage the developm development, ent, commerci commercializat alization, ion, and the the use of civilian civilian technology 4. create create a world-class world-class infrastru infrastructure cture for the the twenty-fir twenty-first st century century to support support industry and promote commerce
5. develop a world-c world-class lass workfor workforce ce capable capable of participat participating ing in a rapidly rapidly changing changing knowledge-based economy.
THE STATE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES GEARING TOWARDS POVERTY ALLEVIATION William G. Padolina 02 March 2000 GLOBAL COMPETITIVES AND PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT
Global developments underscore the important role of science and technology world trade trade has been been libera liberali lized, zed, exertin exerting g pressu pressure re for innovat innovation ion;; econom economic ic activi activity ty has become become knowle knowledge dge-in -inten tensiv sive, e, requir requiring ing compet competence ence in the emergi emerging ng technol technologie ogiess elabor elaborate ately ly trans transfor formed med manufa manufactu ctured red product products, s, develop developed ed throug through h the indivi individual dual countries’ system of innovation, have become the major items in world trade, making the capabil capabilit ity y to add value value the basis basis for compet competit itiven iveness ess,, it is, thus, thus, appropr appropriat iatee that that assessment be made of the state of science and technology in the Philippines.
In an increasingly technological world, we are told that the competitive edge lies with those nations or companies who are either first or best; to open or conquer new markets, or pioneer in the development of next generation products that will shape our lives the way telecommunications and antibiotics have.
Admittedly, the Philippines still has to reach a level of excellence in terms of scientific discoveries and innovation and wealth creation. Whatever it has of a national system for innovation is weak. It educational system, something to be proud of before, a showing signs of decline. There are examples if world-class companies, but also a long trail of mediocrity in industries that are demonstrably in terminal decline. It has been noted that economic activity in the global scene is becoming increasingly knowledge-intensive. Studies between 1964 and 1987, importation of raw materials and non-fuel minerals in the world market decreased from 17% to 6% of total imports, while more elaborate products like machinery and transport equipment increased from 19% to 33% of total imports over the same period.
The observ observati ation on that that the elabor elaborate ately ly transf transform ormed ed manufa manufactu ctured red product productss such such as pharmaceuticals, electronics equipment and motor vehicles are the major players in the growth growth of world world trade trade undersc underscore ore the role role of scienc sciencee and technol technology ogy in enhanci enhancing ng national capability to create new wealth by absorbing new manufacturing and processing
tech techni niqu ques es.. The The impo import rtan ance ce of tech technol nology ogy is incr increa easi sing ng in the the know knowle ledg dgee-ba base sed d econo economy my.. Rapi Rapid d and and cont contin inuo uous us impr improve oveme ment ntss in produ product ctss and and manu manufa fact ctur urin ing g techniques, as well as, efficient marketing strategies, give business the competitive edge.
Achievi Achieving ng global global compet competiti itivene veness ss and people people empower empowermen mentt to propel propel the countr country y towa toward rdss a newl newly y indus industr tria iali lizi zing ng econo economy my aroun around d the the turn turn of the the centu century ry mayb maybee consi conside dere red d as a bid bid to incr increa ease se produ product ctio ion n of world-class world-class elaborately elaborately transformed transformed manufactured goods and also to provide world-class world-class services services sophisticated enough to serve serve an intern internati ational onal client clientele ele.. This This transl translate atess to having having the policy policy and regula regulator tory y environment, the human capability, and the physical infrastructure to enable us to deliver such such good goodss and and serv servic ices es at the the right right pric price, e, qual qualit ity y and and time time.. Thes Thesee neces necessi siti ties es a movement from what Alvin Toffler calls the “first wave” technologies to the “third wave” science-based technologies within an economic milieu that is’ trisected,” i.e., charact characteri erized zed by the existe existence nce of all three three levels levels of technol technologi ogical cal develo developme pment, nt, in different stages of development and application.
The capability to add value to goods or services is now the basis for competitiveness. The higher the value added, more and new wealth is created, bringing greater returns to the economy. It is now clear that economic development is not achieved by increased infusion of labor and capital but by improving economic efficiency or productivity. OUR DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
Devel Developm opment ent could could be rede redefi fined ned in term termss of the the capac capacit ity y to gene genera rate te,, acqu acquir ire, e, disseminate, and use knowledge, both modern and traditional.
It is in this light that I submit that without S and T capacity, no country will be able to formulate policies and strategies for achieving sustainable development; absorb, adapt, and improve imported technology; or expect to develop its production potential, even in those areas where it has competitive advantages.
But the journey is going to be tough. Although economic arguments linking R and D investment to wealth creation have largely been won, even though science is higher on the government’s list of priorities, government funding for R and D has remained steady, at the very least, but declining in real terms.
Furthermore, too little of the great power of modern science and technology has been directed directed at development. development. The attempted attempted mobilizati mobilization on of scientist in developed developed countries countries to deal with problems found mainly in developing countries has not been very successful; and the S and T capabilities of developing countries are far too limited to deal adequately with with the enormo enormous us proble problems ms of develop developmen ment. t. Our capacit capacity y to genera generate, te, acquire acquires, s, disseminate, and use knowledge is limited.
A Mr. John gibbon, the former presidential assistant for S and T of the US, has said that the ROI of R and D is in the order of 50%. He also gives the following advice;
“S and T is the seed corn, and we have to resist the temptation to eat that seed torn rather that to plant and nourish it.’
Due to severe resource limitations, we in the developing countries are already eating our seed corn. Only about 4 percent of the world’s expenditure on R and D and about 14% of the world’s supply of scientist and engineers are in developing countries where more than 80% of the world’s people live
. And yet the world’s population population is now increasing increasing at the rate if three people per second (IDRC) While one hectare of productive land is being lost every 8.23 seconds (IDRC). All evidence points to a continuation of this trend; 6 billion people will be living on earth by the year 2000. The equivalent of a new Bangladesh with 100 million inhabitants will be created annually (IDRC).
Our perseverance in instituting the repair mechanism in correcting scientists’ mistakes have been been made made doubly doubly diffi difficult cult consid consideri ering ng that that global globaliza izatio tion n expres expresss humani humanity ty to processes that are dispassionate, brutally calculating, and fickle. We can only cite with a sense of helplessness, for example, the current speculative assaults into some ASEAN local currencies.
To explain the Asian crisis, many observers only focus on depth and currency problems. What is overlooked is that most ASEAN corporations fail to deliver world-class returns on capital. Knowledgeable observers trace this partly to a week S and T base, even in Korea which has barely reached the innovation stage.
Asian Asian conglom conglomera erates tes return returnss on capita capitall employ employed ed average average 5 to 8%, while while easter eastern n multinationals in the same markets average 25 to 35%. Thus we are pertness to assault that challenge the real productive competence of or nation. To reinforce this observation, we note note that that even as early early as 1942, 1942, Joseph Joseph A. Schump Schumpete eterr in his book Capita Capitali lisms sms,, Socialism and democracy said: But in capita capitalis listt realit reality, y, as distin distingui guish sh from from its textbo textbook ok pictur picture, e, it is not (price (price)) “ But completion which counts but the completion from the commodity, the new technology, the source, of supply, the new type of organization… completion which… strikes not at the margins… of the
existing
firms but at their foundations and their very lives.’
Obviously, the path we have not assiduously taken is the path towards innovation. Evidence is now clear that technological innovation raises productivity and cuts work time. For example, example, it took 82.86 hours to produce one vehicle in 1962; this was reduced to 37.12 hours in 1970.
PROMOTING INNOVATION
Esta Establ blis ishi hing ng a
stra strate tegi gicc
enab enabli ling ng envi enviro ronm nmen entt
for for
inno innova vati tion on,,
and and
even eventu tual ally ly
competitiveness, especially in tech transfer and acquisition are both recognized as vital elements in coping with poverty and globalization.
What are the critical roles of science and technology? Let us turn to what Ron Nichols of the NYAS (1997) has to say: course, e, batte batteri ring ng agai against nst long long-st -stand andin ing g doct doctri rine ness is no easy easy busi busines ness. s. To be “Of cours succe successf ssful ul,, one one must must show show profo profoun und d origi original nal,, but but one one must must adhe adhere re to the the high highest est standards of evidence and inference. Without the discipline to follow those standards, to resist the clamor for shortcuts, the dreams remain empty frequently though, the public does not readily discriminate between wishful novelty and proven advance… quality control is what has earned for science its special claims to knowledge.”
What Mr. Nichols refers to is the urgent need to eliminate speculation and guesswork in our activities activities.. The informatio information n to minimize minimize uncertainty uncertainty is derived derived from scientific scientific work. Science underpins risk management decisions involving many aspects of national life. The containment and eradication of threats to human, animal and plant health, weather
forecasting, and correct time information are some examples of minimizing uncertainty. It is also science and technology that provides the basis for preventing non-tariff trade barriers fostered by protectionist lobby, from strangling world trade. These technical barriers include unusual requirements to technical regulations covering packaging and labeling.
How do we translate this into solid, long lasting interventions? 1.
Niching - seizing the opportunities for change.
We need to niche because:
a.
Resources are limited; there is not enough for all.
b.
We cannot be winners in all areas .We should therefore accord low priority to areas where we cannot priority competitive now, or we cannot be competitive ever. We must position ourselves to be agile.
c.
Regional/ cress border groups are rapidly shaping up.
The individual
or specific role of nations must be clear. 2.
Enli nlight ghtened ned gov governme nment inte ntervent ention ion
Leapfrogging to free market economy may not be advisable for developing countries because of the inability of the private sector to absorb and assure all the risks. Government will have to assume part of the risks to allow the private sector to move forward. Clinton and Gore (1993) noted that:
“We cannot rely on the serendipitous application of defense technology to the private sector. We must aim directly at these new challenges and
Focus efforts on the new opportunities before us, recognizing that government can play a key role helping private firms develop and profit from innovation.”
There are either roles that the government is expected to play. These include: -
ensuring a strong bas base of of fundamental sc science -
prov provid idin ing g a bus busin ines esss env envir iron onme ment nt that that fost foster erss inn innov ovat atio ion n and and inve invest stme ment nt..
-
Inve Invest stme ment nt in in rese resear arch ch tha thatt is is cri critical ical to to the the econ econom omiic and and soci social al nee needs ds of of
the nation but cannot attract private sector support ensuring S and T security. maintaining a certain level of self reliance to allow us to add value to new knowledge and technologies transferred. The message is that we should recognize that the market, left entirely to its own devices, is unlikely to guarantee an optimal level of research. R and D is characterized by high rates of market failure and high start-up costs.
3. Increased private sector participation
A sustai sustainabl nablee science science base base depends depends ultimat ultimately ely on the privat privatee sector sector and the preparedness of industry to invest in S and T. Let us remember that while government is expect expected ed to establ establish ish the enablin enabling g enviro environme nment nt for high high perfor performan mance, ce, it is still still the individual company that has to compete. The ability to compete will be enhanced by its innovation capacity through R and D.
I should say that in the ultimate, it is our science and technology competence that will enable us to manage knowledge. Scattered bodies of knowledge can be brought together so that people who use them can work faster and better. This will also enable us to establish structural intellectual assets, such as information systems, knowledge of market channels and relationships, and management focus; turn individual know-how into a property of the group. Unraveling lines of authority and laying out new ones will be the main task of the new knowledge workers.
What is clear is that the future belongs to the knowledge workers. Technology has given them the tools to build a world in constant constant transformati transformation. on. We can only stand in awe at the changes brought about the following: -
transistor
-
photocopier
-
fax
-
PC
It is ther theref efor oree imper imperat ativ ivee that that trai traini ning ng a work workfo forc rcee with with great greater er reas reason onin ing g and and mathematical skills who can master complexities of a new process technologies.
As is beco becomi ming ng incr increa easi sing ngly ly appa appare rent nt in the the fero feroci ciou ouss inte intern rnat atio ional nal batt battle le for for technol technology ogy’s ’s product productss and market markets, s, the contri contribut bution ionss made made by human human capital capital and intellectual resources are crucial to the economic vitality of the country.
These intellectual resources can be used to transform business and create new models for globa globall comp compet etit itio ion. n. It is about about chang change. e. And its its futu future re depe depends nds on the the abil abilit ity y to accommodate dramatic, often unexpected change.
We find in the records of the US Congress the letter of Congressman Watkins to Congressman Brown (1992):
“The “The scienc sciencee and tech technol nology ogy base base of the the labor laborat atori ories es provi provide de what what I call call this this infrastructure for solving problems of great complexity. It is this infrastructure that I
propose to bring to bear on the question of the competitiveness of our industries and business. This should be done in partnership with business and universities… business can provide the market pull on the talents of the laboratories that will assure their work is relevant”
HIGH TECH AND POVERTY
The convent convention ional al short short term, term, but politi politicall cally y attrac attractiv tivee gains gains of povert poverty y allevi alleviati ation on programs are indeed very tempting. They are valuable approaches, but they have their limitations in that we are not liberated from the v icious cycle of squalor and want.
Human societies societies that have, by and large, found some solutions solutions to liberate liberate major portion of their population from poverty have anchored their programs on productivity. And this is where modern science and technology can make significant contribution. The solutions will not be easy to discern and we have to go beyond our ivory towers. We have to get to the jugular.
Individually, we all have to contribute to the commencement of a new chapter- the modernizing, progressive chapter-and become an active partner in the national system for innovation rather than become a reactionary force in the modernization of S and T in the Philippines. Sad to say, Philippine S and T is still beset by some reactionary elements who refuse or cannot accept the inevitable onslaught of the emerging technologies and refuse to retool.
We have a few in our ranks who believe that high technology is not for poor. It is this mindset that continues to undermine our efforts to get to the jugular; to replace the paradigm of regarding the poor as the Cinderella of national development to the paradigm that is more strategic, knowledge-based, scientific long-term.
But suffice it to say that we scientists must in fact be part of the solution and not the problem. Our national efforts towards poverty alleviation need, among others, trained people who are familiar with the frontiers of subjects and thus can help assess the potentials of new processes and technologies. Nations must retain capacity to identify and absorb emerging technologies, which are the most solid instruments for human development.
ON COMPETITIVENESS
While it is clear to many that industry and services must be competitive, agriculture, because of its role of food security, is perceived as something that need not or cannot be
competitive, like the armed forces or the national police. But agriculture deals with tradable items and is directly linked to the vagaries of the global market. Furthermore, agriculture, If closely examined is as information-intensive as a manufacturing operation. It is high time we eliminate eliminate guesswork in standards of products, which, in fact, demand precision. Unfortunately, government is saddled by a number of constraints, such as outdated missions, effectiveness that is compromised by bureaucratic constraints, and the inability to attract the best scientific talent, the most experienced management, or stateof-the-art equipment.
One way to overcome constraints is for the agricultural community to take advantage of the developments in biotechnology and information technology.
Indeed, contrary to some traditional view that agriculture is a low-technology activity, there are many examples, which show that agriculture is indeed a knowledge-intensive activity. The earlier we disabuse our minds from the traditional views, the faster we can extricate ourselves from the notions that agriculture need not and cannot be competitive, especially for the poor farmers of the developing countries. This defeatist attitude has caused many farming operations to be inefficient, with the farmer feeling helpless and losing control of his operations. Government, on the other hand, fearful of social unrest, persists in providing short-term rescue measures that perpetuates the vicious cycle.
Another important function of this knowledge base in the effective management of the tense is relationship between sustainability and productivity. The harmonious relationship between between maintaining maintaining adequate levels of productivit productivity y and preserving the integrity integrity of our environment can only be enhanced if we have an adequate understanding of the impact of human activity on how nature operates. This includes studies on the regenerative capacity of natural ecosystems and the earth’s capacity to absorb waste. And at no other time in the history of science are more and more secrets of nature being unlocked than now. Thus availability of the powerful tools of information technology should be exploited to serve the purposes of defining sustainable productivity, especially at the farm level.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
In closing, I would like to reiterate the call to act quickly and purposively for the Filipino people, we acknowledge that time is the least that we have of, and for that reason, we must continually redirect our resources to task and select programs and interventions that bode the most direct impact on improving the lives of Filipinos afflicted poverty.
We must train Filipinos Filipinos who are adaptable adaptable to a broad range of new technologies. technologies. In this knowledge-driven competitive environment, Filipinos workers must possess the talent, skill, and willingness to learn in order to be able to make innovation a vital partner in poverty alleviation.
In the ultimate, it is the competence and skill of our workforce that will enable as to manage manage knowled knowledge. ge. Scatte Scattered red bodies bodies of knowle knowledge dge can be brought brought together together so that that people who use them can work faster and better. This will also enable us to establish structural intellectual assets, such as information system, knowledge of market channels and customer relationships, and management focus; turn individual know how into a property of the group. Unraveling lines of authority authority and laying out new ones will be the the main task of the new knowledge workers.
What is clear is that the future belongs to the knowledge workers. Technology has given them the tool to build a world in constant transformation. It is therefore imperative to train a workforce we greater reasoning and mathematical skills who can master the complexities of new process technologies.
Above all else, the only way we can ever cope and flourish in the face of today’s challenges is by adhering to the highest standards of excellence. We wish to promote the ethic of excellence, a most democratic ideal in which only requirement is to bring out the best in all of us. Effective leaders learn how to delegate as a matter of course. But they do not delegate the one thing that only they can do with excellence, the one thing that will make a difference, the one thing that will set standards, the one thing they want to be remembered for. They just do it.
Having said these let ends with a oft-repeated statement that the shortcut to development is never science and technology alone, but in development itself.
