Exercise 1.

Reading Comprehension Task

Course/Section: GED104/OL53

1. What is the framework of de-development of rich countries all about?

The framework goes like this: instead of less developed countries attempting to reach for
richer economies, the more-developed countries will “catchdown” to less developed
countries. Moreover the de-developing framework” is to change the sense and idea of
development, from growth of economy to the prosperity.

2. How is the de-development framework different from traditional frameworks of

development?
The traditional framework of the de-development is the concept that the individuals need
more and more growth for improving and making their lives better. However, the de-
developing framework takes away these kinds of negative outcomes.

3. According to Hickel, how can rich countries de-develop?

Hickel states that the rich countries can de-develop if they reduce their consumption for
maintaining prosperity, wellbeing and happiness, and rich countries will achieved the
life-long expectency. In other words, Hickel states that they can de-develop by abiding to
the phrase: quality over quantity.

4. Why does Hickel frown upon pundits using terms such as de-growth, zero growth, or de-
development in describing an alternative framework?
We know that humans always want to do progress contentiously. He finds these terms
repulsive because de-growth, zero growth, or de-development might give people the
wrong impression about the framework, implying to stop development and progressing. It
might oppose to the idea that life should be all about developing.
5. Some people might think that the de-development is about giving things up. How does
Hickel explain that this is not the case?

He explains that we should reflect our actions on living the life we want and understand
the true purpose of it. In addition to this, Hickel also states that rapid development is
somewhat bad because we tend to avoid the laws of nature. One could agree that
achieving success in life would make them the happiest person in the world. It is not
necessarily a bad thing to strive for this but the reality is that not everyone has the
opportunity to achieve this due to different reasons and factors such as socio-economic
status, educational background, and so on. We should also be empathetic to those who
are in need because like what Dalai Lama said, our purpose in this life is not only to be
happy in our own ways but also to be selfless.
Exercise 2. Personal Consumption Diet

Course/Section: GED104/OL53

My Personal Consumption Audit

Product/Food Average daily, weekly, No. of hours/day I Impact of this ‘de-developing’
or monthly amount reduce/do away with on my everyday living
consumed
Example: Social Media Eight (8) hours a day Seven (7) hours a day By minimizing the hours I spend
Usage on social media, I can pursue
authentic personal interactions. I
can also spend more time doing
schoolwork or helping in
household chores.
1. Junk Food Five (5) times per week Three (3) times per I can develop a healthier lifestyle
Consumption week through diet and exercise.
2. Showering Fifteen (15) minutes per Ten (10) minutes per A shorter shower not only saves
day day water, but also means less pay on
water bill and energy bill.
3. Paper Towel Twenty (20) pulls per Ten (10) pulls per week When I will be using less paper
Consumption week towels then I will not feel the need
to buy more paper towels. I am
also bringing less harm to the
environment because making
paper towels requires cutting
down trees.
4. Lighting Eight (8) hours per day Five (5) hours per day Less artificial light use especially
at night could decrease my risk for
 migraines and eye strain thus
giving me a greater quality of
sleep.
5. Plastic Bag Three (3) bags per week One (1) bag per week Lessening the use of plastic bags
Usage at registers means there is less
trash in the waste stream and less
litter in the house.
Assignment 6. Documentary Film Analysis

Course/Section: GED104/OL53

1. Why was C.S. Lewis very much a skeptic and critic of scientism? Was he against
science?
Scientism and science are two totally separate things. C. S. Lewis clearly recognizes this
distinction, as do many other great writers. Science is about observation, formulating
hypotheses from these observations, testing these hypotheses in concrete ways. On the
other hand, scientism is about blindly accepting whatever someone is spouting under the
name of science. It goes even further though to claim that it has the only true source of
knowledge for mankind in all fields, even those which there is no way to verify or test
hypotheses in. Nowhere does Lewis criticize science, but is openly against
scientism. Lewis is just sharing the same opinions many do who believe that technology
improperly used just leverages the great evil which those lusting for power.

2. How did C.S. Lewis explain the following:

2.1 science as religion
Religion is everywhere and it affects all life. Science may also have the same function
as religion. He discusses how some people can twist science to conform to their
beliefs and opinions.

2.2 science as credulity

He observed that some people are easily deceived by ideas, even claiming that is
formulated in the name of science. What is even more perplexing is that every so
often, there no crucial evidence to support these claims. He just wanted to convey that
before believing something, we should carefully examine whether the idea being
presented is true or not.
 2.3 science as power
The capabilities and possibilities of science are so great and endless it may seem like
it is remarkable. With science, who knows what life-changing breakthrough an
individual might discover and what they can do with it in the future. People submit to
the power of science with the fear of the unknown which can also threaten the future
of civilization.

3. Why did C.S. Lewis think that modern science is far more dangerous than magic?
Science is far more dangerous than magic because science works unlike magic. If magic
fails, then people could not use it to manipulate other people while science has more
potential to manipulation. With the right methods like bending the scientific truth, it can
be easily done and there is the possibility where people would believe in false claims
because “science is far more realistic and believable than magic”.

4. Why did C.S. Lewis become increasingly concerned about the rise of scientocracy? How
does scientocracy relate to scientism?
Both ideas are connected through the unwarranted use of science. Scientism can be seen
as a faith that science has no boundaries, and that in due time all human problems and all
aspects of human endeavor will be dealt and solved by science alone. Scientocracy is a
practice by government and society claiming to speak in the name of science in order to
gain cultural and political power. We cannot deny that they would manipulate it to gain
their personal wants if it was handed over to them.

5. Based on what you learned in the documentary film, how does scientism pose a threat to
the human person flourishing in science and technology? Why should science be guided
by an ethical basis that is not dictated by science itself?

6. Religion is everywhere and

it affects all of life. Since
 science has the ability to
function
7. as an alternative to
religion.
8. Religion is everywhere and
it affects all of life. Since
science has the ability to
function
9. as an alternative to
religion.
10. Scientism poses a threat to
the human person flourishing
in science and
11. technology because it
paints all those who are
 flourishing to be the bad ones
but in truth
12. not all of them have bad
intentions. Science should be
guided by an ethical basis
because
13. as stated earlier it has great
capabilities and endless
possibilities without guidance
it may
14. be manipulated and used
for evil purposes.
Scientism poses a threat to the human flourishing in science and technology because it
paints all those who are flourishing to be the corrupted ones when in truth, not all of them
have bad intentions. Science should be guided by an ethical basis because as stated
earlier, it has great capabilities and endless possibilities. Without guidance, it may be
manipulated and used for immoral purposes.