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.