STS Exam 1 Questions with Correct and
Complete Answers
Why study STS? - Answer-Science, technology, and society are in a complex, intermingled relationship.
It is important to study this relationship because we are impacted by it everyday of everyweek and there
is no part of our lives that is not intwined in this relationship.
What is the purpose and goals of STS? - Answer-The purpose of STS is to develop an understanding of
the way the world works, as well as how the complex relationship between science, technology, and
society works.
How does STS affects our lives? - Answer-Every minute of everyday, we are impacted by science and
technology. We interact with technology every moment, therefore, having an understanding of the
complex relationship between science, technology, and society is key to understanding our lives.
Causality - Answer-It is the relationship between a "cause" and the "effect"
Geniune causal relations are "musts" in the sense that if one thing happens, then the second thing will
happen.
, Contingent Coicendences - Answer-These are events that occur that have no relation, even though at
times they may appear to be related.
They are important to understand when attempting to find logical fallacies
How do natural laws relate to causility? - Answer-Natural laws are of the form, "all F are G"
Therefore, to distinguish between causal relations and purely accidental ones, putting them in the form
of a natural law ensures causal relation.
Determinism - Answer-The belief that the present was determined by the past and the future wil be
determined by the present.
It is based on tradition and does not allow someone to think critically and observe the world for what it
truly is.
Progress - Answer-An enlightenment ideal that describes the positive advancement of mankind.
The enlightenment thinkers thought progress not only as the improvement of the material conditions of
everyday life, but also the prevailing social arrangements.
Not concerned with technology.
Technological Somnambulism - Answer-The notion that society is willing to sleepwalk through the
process of reconstructing the conditions of human existence.
What is the difference between technological somnambulism and technological determinism? - Answer-
Technological somnambulism is the notion that society is willing to sleepwalk through the process of
Complete Answers
Why study STS? - Answer-Science, technology, and society are in a complex, intermingled relationship.
It is important to study this relationship because we are impacted by it everyday of everyweek and there
is no part of our lives that is not intwined in this relationship.
What is the purpose and goals of STS? - Answer-The purpose of STS is to develop an understanding of
the way the world works, as well as how the complex relationship between science, technology, and
society works.
How does STS affects our lives? - Answer-Every minute of everyday, we are impacted by science and
technology. We interact with technology every moment, therefore, having an understanding of the
complex relationship between science, technology, and society is key to understanding our lives.
Causality - Answer-It is the relationship between a "cause" and the "effect"
Geniune causal relations are "musts" in the sense that if one thing happens, then the second thing will
happen.
, Contingent Coicendences - Answer-These are events that occur that have no relation, even though at
times they may appear to be related.
They are important to understand when attempting to find logical fallacies
How do natural laws relate to causility? - Answer-Natural laws are of the form, "all F are G"
Therefore, to distinguish between causal relations and purely accidental ones, putting them in the form
of a natural law ensures causal relation.
Determinism - Answer-The belief that the present was determined by the past and the future wil be
determined by the present.
It is based on tradition and does not allow someone to think critically and observe the world for what it
truly is.
Progress - Answer-An enlightenment ideal that describes the positive advancement of mankind.
The enlightenment thinkers thought progress not only as the improvement of the material conditions of
everyday life, but also the prevailing social arrangements.
Not concerned with technology.
Technological Somnambulism - Answer-The notion that society is willing to sleepwalk through the
process of reconstructing the conditions of human existence.
What is the difference between technological somnambulism and technological determinism? - Answer-
Technological somnambulism is the notion that society is willing to sleepwalk through the process of
