Beyond Linear Model: Asian Perspective on Science and Technology
Ethics
Hideto Nakajima
Dept. of
History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Science and Technology
Tokyo Institute
of Technology
Science and
technology ethics is one of the most developed areas in science and technology
studies. Since 1970s, bio-ethics has
emerged as an important discipline.
Environmental, information & engineering ethics followed it, and research
ethics now attracts the attention of those who are interested in science, technology
and values. Guidelines against
scientific misconducts are regarded as an essential element for better
management of science.
Nakajima will
argue that there are two approaches to science and technology ethics: Platonic and Confucian. Each corresponds to ‘righteousness’ and
‘custom’, both of which has proper sphere to be applied. He will also discuss that we now need to
focus much on the latter, as the linear model becomes less relevant to science. Technoscience is
not linear application of basic science to technology, and the ‘moment’ of
technology is getting bigger. Nakajima
will delineate the history to the birth of technoscience,
and how technological options establish different nature from scientific
determinism.