Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Note on the Text
- Introduction
- 1 Which Disciplines Are Concerned with the Intersections of Science, Technology, and Society? What Are Some of Their Core Contributions?
- 2 Do Science and Technology Shape Society or Does Society Shape Science and Technology?
- 3 Where Do Scientific and Technological Innovation Come From? Can Innovation Be Deliberately Promoted, or Do We Just Have to Wait for the Light Bulbs to Go Off?
- 4 When and How Do New Technologies Spread through Society? Why Do Some Die on the Vine?
- 5 What Can We Learn by Comparing the Combination of Science, Technology, and Society in Different Parts of the World and at Different Times in History?
- 6 Can a Technology Be Inherently Good or Bad for Society, or Is That a Matter of What We Do with It?
- 7 How Can One Be a Savvy Consumer of Increasingly Complex Scientific Research?
- 8 Do Children Develop Differently in a Digitally Saturated World? Is Digital Technology Helping Children Thrive – or Stunting Them?
- 9 What Is “Big Data” and Why Does It Make Such a Big Difference?
- 10 Do Algorithms Make Wise and Fair Decisions?
- 11 Are New Technologies Beneficial to Liberal Democracy and Good Governance – or Wreaking Havoc on Them?
- 12 Does Technological Progress Make People Happier?
- 13 What Has the Relationship between Sex, Gender, Science, and Technology Been – and What Might It Be?
- 14 What Are Digital Divides and Why Do They Matter?
- 15 How Do Science and Technology Impact International Development, and How Might They Lead to a More Sustainable Global Community?
- 16 Will AI Be Conscious?
- 17 Will the AI Robot Economy Be a Golden Age or a Dystopian Era?
- 18 Will AI Create Great Art?
- Select Bibliography
- Index
2 - Do Science and Technology Shape Society or Does Society Shape Science and Technology?
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 September 2025
Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Note on the Text
- Introduction
- 1 Which Disciplines Are Concerned with the Intersections of Science, Technology, and Society? What Are Some of Their Core Contributions?
- 2 Do Science and Technology Shape Society or Does Society Shape Science and Technology?
- 3 Where Do Scientific and Technological Innovation Come From? Can Innovation Be Deliberately Promoted, or Do We Just Have to Wait for the Light Bulbs to Go Off?
- 4 When and How Do New Technologies Spread through Society? Why Do Some Die on the Vine?
- 5 What Can We Learn by Comparing the Combination of Science, Technology, and Society in Different Parts of the World and at Different Times in History?
- 6 Can a Technology Be Inherently Good or Bad for Society, or Is That a Matter of What We Do with It?
- 7 How Can One Be a Savvy Consumer of Increasingly Complex Scientific Research?
- 8 Do Children Develop Differently in a Digitally Saturated World? Is Digital Technology Helping Children Thrive – or Stunting Them?
- 9 What Is “Big Data” and Why Does It Make Such a Big Difference?
- 10 Do Algorithms Make Wise and Fair Decisions?
- 11 Are New Technologies Beneficial to Liberal Democracy and Good Governance – or Wreaking Havoc on Them?
- 12 Does Technological Progress Make People Happier?
- 13 What Has the Relationship between Sex, Gender, Science, and Technology Been – and What Might It Be?
- 14 What Are Digital Divides and Why Do They Matter?
- 15 How Do Science and Technology Impact International Development, and How Might They Lead to a More Sustainable Global Community?
- 16 Will AI Be Conscious?
- 17 Will the AI Robot Economy Be a Golden Age or a Dystopian Era?
- 18 Will AI Create Great Art?
- Select Bibliography
- Index
Summary
This chapter examines the intricate interplay between science, technology, and society, questioning whether technological advancements inevitably drive societal change (technological determinism). It analyzes the impact of technology on diverse aspects of our lives, highlighting both positive transformations (enhanced communication) and negative consequences (environmental concerns, privacy intrusions). It introduces contrasting perspectives: Hard determinism proposes an autonomous technological trajectory, while soft determinism acknowledges societal influence on the timing of technological effects. Further, it explores extreme viewpoints represented by technothusiasts and technoskeptics. The chapter then counters with social determinism, which argues that society actively shapes the direction of scientific and technological endeavors through funding, regulation, and social norms. Ultimately, the chapter advocates for a balanced approach acknowledging technology’s transformative potential and possible risks. It emphasizes the need for proactive societal engagement to influence the course of technological progress and minimize its adverse effects.
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- Understanding Technology and SocietySeminal Questions and Enduring Insights, pp. 22 - 34Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2025
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