Scientific and Technological Literacy and the Social Control of Knowledge

Abstract

The article considers the need of a “Scientific and Technological Literacy” (STL) of the population as one way towards increasing the popular understanding of the central issues about Science and Technology. This deeper understanding is vital to any democratization of all political decisions involving S&T, wich require some level of specialized knowledge in those who wish to participate in an informed debate on such issues. The incorporation of Technological Education at all leveles of public education offers a way towards STL in the medium term, but for this possibility to prosper, its implementation will have to overcome the severe diffilcuties it faces in practice. These difficulties relate to the wellknown critical state of the public education system in general, but are made all the more severe by dangers specific to technological education in aour country, wich might lead to a biased and skewed implementation.