Understanding Science and Technology: (14) key differences between science and technology:

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Africa has faced significant developmental challenges, prompting the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to adopt the Lagos Plan of Action for Economic Development of Africa 1980-2000 in April 1980. This comprehensive plan acknowledged that, despite various efforts, the continent had stagnated and continued to experience severe underdevelopment—despite its rich natural resources. One of the critical factors highlighted was Africa's reliance on external scientific and technological resources, which underscored the continent's dependency on developed nations for technological advancement.

In Sessional Paper No. 5 of 1982, titled Science and Technology for Development, Kenya's government identified major developmental challenges and explored how a science and technology policy could facilitate poverty alleviation. This pivotal document outlined a commitment from the government not only to foster an independent capacity for science and technology research in the long term but also to integrate these elements into all facets of national development. Recognizing immediate needs, it acknowledged that Kenya would initially have to depend on technology transfer from abroad.

More recently, the Kenyan government has articulated four primary strategies to acquire technology:

  1. Indigenous Research and Development: Encouraging local innovation and solutions.
  2. Direct Foreign Investment: Attracting foreign entities to invest in Kenya’s technological landscape.
  3. Purchasing or Leasing 'Off-the-Shelf' Technology: Utilizing readily available technologies to leapfrog developmental stages.
  4. Overseas Training: Equipping Kenyans with skills and knowledge from advanced technology sectors abroad.

Defining Science

According to the Black Law Dictionary, science is defined as a branch of knowledge that seeks explanations of physical reality, distinguished from mental or abstract understanding. For this discussion, we adopt a broader definition: science embodies knowledge—both general and specific—acquired through systematic study employing established methods. Its ultimate goal is to uncover general laws, which can, in turn, address practical problems that conform to those laws.

This definition allows us to view science in a hierarchical structure, distinguishing between general and particular knowledge. At the general level, science represents a universal pursuit commonplace across all human societies. As noted by Durkheim (1971), it primarily focuses on fundamental knowledge about the environment and its underlying laws. The successful application of these scientific principles is crucial for the survival and progress of humanity, marking science's fundamental importance.


  Technology

The Oxford English Dictionary (1989) provides a nuanced understanding of technology, presenting two key definitions:

  1. Discourse on Arts: The first definition describes technology as discourse or treatise on the arts, encompassing the scientific study of practical or industrial arts. This interpretation highlights the collective practical arts or specific industrial practices, now often geared towards "high technology," which refers to sophisticated and specialized technological industries and their products.

  2. Technical Terminology: The second definition pertains to the terminology associated with a specific art or field, essentially referring to the technical nomenclature that accompanies various disciplines.

Conclusion

In summary, the interrelationship between science, technology, and development is pivotal, particularly in African contexts such as Kenya. Understanding these concepts helps appreciate the strategic approaches necessary for overcoming development challenges. By fostering indigenous innovation and integrating scientific knowledge into national policies, African nations can aim to reduce dependency on external technologies and drive sustainable development.

Fourteen (14)  key differences between science and technology:

1. Definition

  • Science: The systematic study of the natural world through observation, experimentation, and analysis to understand phenomena.

  • Technology: The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, creating tools, systems, or methods to solve problems.

2. Purpose

  • Science: Aims to expand knowledge and understanding of the universe.

  • Technology: Focuses on solving practical problems and improving human life through inventions and innovations.

3. Process

  • Science: Involves the scientific method, which includes hypothesis formulation, experimentation, observation, and conclusion.

  • Technology: Involves design, development, and deployment processes aimed at creating usable products or systems.

4. Foundational Aspect

  • Science: Can be considered foundational; it provides the theoretical framework and principles that inform technological advancements.

  • Technology: Builds upon scientific principles to create usable solutions and applications.

5. Dynamic Nature

  • Science: Evolving and often challenges existing paradigms, leading to new theories and understandings.

  • Technology: Often more stable once established, but continually adapted and upgraded as new needs arise.

6. Discipline

  • Science: Divided into various branches (e.g., physics, chemistry, biology) that explore different aspects of the natural world.

  • Technology: Encompasses various fields (e.g., information technology, electrical engineering, biotechnology) focused on practical applications.

7. Methodology

  • Science: Primarily analytical, focusing on research, experimentation, and data interpretation.

  • Technology: Primarily practical, emphasizing design, engineering, and the creation of devices or systems.

8. Outcome

  • Science: Produces knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles of nature.

  • Technology: Produces tools, machines, and systems that people use in everyday life.

9. Examples

  • Science: The discovery of DNA structure, understanding gravity, or studying ecosystems.

  • Technology: Development of smartphones, medical imaging devices, or renewable energy solutions.

10. Impact on Society

  • Science: Influences how we perceive the world and our place within it, shaping curricula, policies, and cultural beliefs.

  • Technology: Directly affects daily life and economic development, influencing how we communicate, work, and interact.

11. Transferability

  • Science: Highly transferable. Scientific knowledge can be easily communicated and shared across different cultures, as it is rooted in universal principles and facts.

  • Technology: More challenging to transfer. Technology often relies on specific cultural, social, and economic contexts, which makes its implementation varying from one environment to another.

12. Respective Goals

  • Science: Aims to gain fundamental knowledge and understanding of the natural and social worlds, asking "why" things happen.

  • Technology: Aims to enhance human capabilities through the development and improvement of devices, products, and systems, focusing on "how" to accomplish tasks.

13. Typical Problems

  • Science: Concentrates on isolating and studying specific aspects of a problem using controlled experiments and data collection methods. It seeks to understand underlying principles.

  • Technology: Addresses complex, interrelated problems that often involve constraints related to physical materials and energy. It focuses on developing practical solutions that work in real-world situations.

14. Context

  • Science: Scientific knowledge tends to be more universal and independent of cultural context, allowing findings to be relevant across different societies.

  • Technology: The effectiveness and integration of technological solutions are heavily influenced by cultural and societal factors. What works well in one context may not be successful in another due to differing needs and infrastructures.

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