Week 1: introduction ethics, humanism & future Flashcards
Why is an ethics of emerging technologies relevant?
- Emerging techn. are shaped in the present
- Great influence on future society
- Technology is not objective (always values/moral perspectives underlying)
What are problems within the field of ethics concerning emerging technologies?
- Capitalistic point of view, not ethical pov
- Overly cautiousness can prevent progress
- Risk of speculation (the techn. doesn’t exist yet)
Name 5 critical premises when it comes to ethics of emerging technologies
1) Ethical appraisal is needed to decide what kind of technologies are admissible/desirable
2) Without lookingforward techn. no techn. can be banned beforehand
3) Considering moral values can help to assess the ethical dimensions of developing technologies
4) Develop critical ability to respond
5) influence our way of being in the world: relations and responsabilities (techn. can have a huge impact on our lives)
Why is ethical reflection on techn. relevant as a counselor?
- you can be asked to reflect on these issues
- many counselors work in care ethics where techn. will have an influence
What is Kudina’s article about?
non-medical sex sorting (at home sperm sorting)
What are three key insights related to the article of Kudina?
1) Technology affects the way people act and experience the world and by offering opportunities for choice and action.
2) Ethical frameworks for evaluating technologies co-evolve with the design and development of (new) technologies.
3) Emerging technologies not only raise new moral issues but also provide new contexts for existing ones.
What is the general approach of humanism according to Copson?
‘a democratic and ethical life stance’
What are the 5 approaches to being in the world according to Copson?
- understanding of reality
- understanding ourselves
- the good life and the whole person
- morality
- Practical action
What aspects are used as a humanistic framework for understanding reality?
- human experience is central to understanding the world
- naturalism entails that knowledge comes from the senses
- science and critical thought is needed to investigate our sense experience
- truth is a central humanist value
What aspects are used as a humanistic framework for understanding ourselves?
- Humanism sees human beings as simultaneously inside and outside of nature (natural beings with a heightened sense of self-consciousness)
- humans have a body that will pass away
What aspects are used as a humanistic framework for the good life and the whole person?
- no higher purpose to life (something people construe)
- no afterlife, so people should pursue a full life in the here and now
- human life contains tragic dimensions
- the good life: connection to other people and the non-human world is essential for living out one’s humanity to the fullest
What aspects are used as a humanistic framework for morality?
- origins of morality in human nature
- moral responsability to develop moral sense
- aimed at wellbeing and fulfilment of all
- includes a moral striving towards social justice
- moral concern should be extended to certain animals as well
What aspects are used as a humanistic framework for practical action?
humanists should put their beliefs into actions
What does genetic enhancement challenge?
Genetic enhancement challenges the way people are simultaneously inside and outside nature.
What are the three relevant senses held by humanity?
1) Biological
2) Attributional (human attributes and qualities)
3) Normative (quality or state of being humane)
