Chapter 21 Science, Technology, and Medicine The Nature of Science and Technology Scientific Institutions: The Sociological View Technology in Modern Societies Impacts of Technology The Case of Medical Technology

The Nature of Science Science is knowledge obtained as a result of developing and testing hypotheses. Pure science is devoted to the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. Applied science is the application of known scientific principles to a practical problem.

The Nature of Technology Modern science is creating new technologies that have expanded the human capacity to live in and exploit different habitats. Negative effects of technological change have led to calls for development that does not damage the environment or create new environmental burdens.

Interactionist View Focuses on the network of communication and social relationships among scientists. A well-known study found that scientific researchers assume existing theories are valid and use them as a paradigm for future research.

Institutional View Asks why science develops differently in different societies. Conditions that encourage the development of scientific institutions: – Recognition of empirical research as a legitimate way of acquiring new knowledge. – Independence of science from other fields.

Norms of Scientific Institutions The truth must be determined by the impersonal criteria of the scientific method. Common ownership of scientific findings. Scientists do not allow the desire for personal gain to influence the reporting and evaluation of results.

Basic Dimensions of Technology Physical devices or apparatus. Activities associated with their use. Organizational networks within which those activities are carried out.

Cultural Lag Social institutions are often slow to adapt to changing technologies. This can be improved by efforts to anticipate the consequences of technologies for individuals and society as a whole.

Impacts of Technology on Medicine Until recently, physicians were powerless to check the progress of disease or prolong life. In the 20th century, technologies were developed for the prevention and cure of disease and long-term care of terminally ill patients.

Impacts of Technology on Medicine Technologies used in the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses require expensive equipment and highly trained personnel. This caused health care to become expensive, and as a result some groups in the population are unable to obtain adequate care.