What is science?
According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary, science is defined as: “…organized knowledge especially when obtained by observation and testing of facts about the:
- Physical world,
- Natural laws, and
- Society".
We may elaborate as follows:
• That it is the search for explanations of physical reality, a reality that is manipulable by hand or instruments, and separate from the mind.
• Science is a way of organizing reproducible knowledge about some problems (not all) in our everyday existence.
There are, therefore, many types of sciences and scientists:
- Natural sciences: geology, biology, etc.
- Physical sciences: physics, chemistry, etc.
- Social sciences: sociology, political science, economics, etc.
The talk of marvels of modern science often obscures the fact that science is not only concerned with very complicated problems but also with the practical, everyday things or problems of ordinary life, such as cooking, farming, and construction.
In traditional life as well, we see science in action in many areas of everyday life and many kinds of scientists: herbalists, brewers, fishermen, farmers, etc.
What is technology?
The dictionary gives two definitions of the concept:
- The scientific study of mechanical arts, e.g., engineering
- Application of such knowledge to production
We may elaborate as follows:
- That technology is concerned with technical arts.
- It has a high linkage with social purposes.
- It is concerned with the pursuit of knowledge and know-how for specific practical ends.
***Although science and technology are closely related in the minds of most people, they are not the same. Although in the practical world there is unity of “knowing and doing”, the belief that technology is the translation of scientific knowledge into practical form is rather simplistic.
The Differences between Science and Technology:
There are several criteria by which we can differentiate the two:
- Products: The products or outcomes of technology are more readily visible than those of science.
- Goals: The goal of science is to obtain a fundamental understanding of nature and the physical universe. The goal of technology is to create the human capacity to create new and useful devices, products, machines, or systems.
- Problems: The problems of science are small (not simple), highly detailed, and manageable problems designed to contribute to a body of knowledge that may provide a base for generalizable theories. They are small in the sense that more often than not, the scientist uses a sample. On the other hand, the problems of technology are usually complex and interrelated problems involving design, materials, energy, information, and control. In addition, they involve many variables, both social and technical design.
- Setting: The pursuit of science is isolated from the requirements of meeting direct social needs. Technology, by contrast, is situated directly in the social environment.
- Transferability: Because science consists primarily of knowledge, given a common language, it can be easily transferred from one place to another. Technology, on the other hand, is greatly influenced by local conditions, culture, customs, etc. This fact means that it is more difficult to transfer. At the same time, whenever it is transferred, it often carries with it characteristics of the culture from which it originates (the concept of “cultural gene of technology”).
For example, it is quite apparent, especially in towns, that fashions of dressing are sometimes greatly influenced by movies. The movies are an embodiment of the cultures from which they originate, and when they influence how we dress, we assume or adopt these cultures.
The Linkage between Science, Technology, and Development:
-Development results from two simultaneous processes: growth and change.
-Science and technology undoubtedly can increase growth through the development of more knowledge and better ways of production.
-It is mostly in these senses that they are related to development, because of their close association with economic growth, industrial production, etc.
-Today, technology accounts for between 20-50 per cent of the annual growth experienced in the West.
-As a result, technology specifically has the potential to create more income, more food, more public utilities, more schools, etc.
-However, merely having more of these does not result in development. There has to be a change in the sense of greater equity and distributive justice. This is what must constitute the social perspective of technology.
Society must be organized in such a manner that science and technology can be made to play their role in reducing:
- Poverty
- Ignorance
- Unemployment
- Disease
- Human misery
***In other words, improving the quality of life of all members of society. Science and technology have the potential to do all these, but only if society is organized appropriately for them to do so. Thus, science and technology are only as good or as bad as society makes them to be. They can make life better or worse.
Science, Technology and Development in the South:
Science and technology as they exist in the south today are largely an implant from the north via:
- The Industrial Revolution
- Colonialism and neo-colonialism
- Universities and research institutions based on European models
-The problem with this science and technology is that although it may be important practically in some ways, it is often mediocre in creativity and has failed to produce any originality in thought in any significant fashion.
-The state of science and technology in the south is, therefore, itself experiencing severe underdevelopment.
-Science and technology in the south have effectively been cut off from any meaningful interaction with the pre-colonial formalized knowledge and traditions, and from among their own communities.
Problems and Challenges:
What are the actual problems that continue to hinder Africa’s development as far as science and technology are concerned?
According to the Lagos Plan of Action for the Economic Development of Africa: 1980-2000, the issues include the following:
- The old international economic order continues to prevail and influences how technology, in particular, is handled, with negative results for Africa.
- National mechanisms for developing local technologies are inefficient.
- Imported technologies continue to have negative effects, e.g., pollution, etc.
- Policies for science and technology in Africa are too imprecise.
- There is a widespread lack of education and training in areas of science and technology that are relevant to development.
- There is a dichotomy between rural and urban technologies that disadvantages the rural areas.
- There is a lack of contact between the production and research sectors.
- There are poor or no mechanisms for regulating technology transfer.
- Too little money is devoted to science and technology. For example, investment in research as a proportion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that is required to make breakthroughs should be 2-3 per cent, and yet hardly any African country is allocating even one per cent, and the average is .04 per cent.
- The lack of political will is clearly evident.
Viable Alternatives(Solutions):
- Long-term and midterm solutions are to develop independent capacity in science and technology.
- The short-term solution is to continue to rely on the transfer of technology. However, the short-term solution requires much planning and caution, as the following have demonstrated:
- The present transfer seems to be reinforcing the South’s dependence rather than reducing it.
- The North’s self-interests dictate continued dependence, and the South seems to suffer from a chronic lack of decisive action, and technology seems to be a largely forgotten issue.
- The “industrialization” that seems to be taking place in Africa does so with very little actual transfer of technology. It is happening without “technologization” and only creates an illusion of transfer.
Science and Technology in Health and Medicine:
Among the mentioned sectors, health is an extremely important one and deserves special attention. This is because of its obvious linkage with the quality of life. Science and technology have certainly played a big role in the development of:
- Immunization
- Treatment
- Diagnosis
- Other "hi-tech" options
However, the orientation towards curative methods, especially in developing countries, has been questioned.
This is because of the gradual but sure movement away from health promotion for the many towards expensive treatment for the few who can afford it.
