STS Reporting (Pre-final) PDF

STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION When Technology and Humanity Cross LEARNING OUTCOMES 1. Examine human rights in order to uphold such rights in technological ethical dilemmas. 2. Discuss the effects of the interplay of humanity and science and technology. What is an Ethical Dilemma? There is an...

STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION When Technology and Humanity Cross LEARNING OUTCOMES 1. Examine human rights in order to uphold such rights in technological ethical dilemmas. 2. Discuss the effects of the interplay of humanity and science and technology. What is an Ethical Dilemma? There is an ethical dilemma when two possible options are neither absolutely acceptable from an ethical perspective. Sometimes, it is also called as ethical paradox or moral dilemma. We encounter many problems in life, but most of them have easy, straightforward answers. An ethical dilemma however, requires a deep understanding of the issue and may require  How do we approach an ethical dilemma? 1.Recognize the ethical issue. 2.Begin the decision making. 3.Subject the dilemma to a critical analysis. 4.Make a decision and evaluate the consequences.  Technological Ethical Dilemmas Technological ethical dilemmas are those that arise from technology - from its conception, production, use and effect. Technologies can pose ethical dilemmas if they put at risk the human body, the human rights, the human environment and the human society. Some are too disruptive that they can undermine the human existence. Some technologies cause too much damage to the environment. Some technologies negatively change how society grows. Human rights should always be considered in dealing with technological ethical dilemmas. Questions: WHAT IS THE ETHICAL DILEMMA ABOUT CLONING? WHAT ARE THE ETHICAL DILEMMAS RELATED TO THE INTERNET? ROBOTS? Human Rights According to the United Nations, human rights are “rights inherent to all human beings, whatever nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status”. Human rights are universal as enshrined in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in 1948. Human rights are inalienable, hence, they could not be taken away unless provided by the law. Such is the case of convicted prisoners who have lost some of their rights. Human rights are interdependent, interrelated and indivisible. The improvement of one right helps in the advancement of the others. Likewise, the deprivation of one right adversely affects the others. Aside from the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are also human rights which are protected and enshrined in the Constitution of each state, other human right treatisis, and state and local laws and policies. In addressing technological ethical dilemmas, human rights should always be Human Flourishing and Human Rights Humans are social beings. Humans flourish when they are part of a society. However, in a society, there are individuals or groups who may interfere with one’s autonomy or self-directedness. Human Flourishing and Human Rights In order to protect one’s autonomy and self- directedness, there is a need for moral principles. These moral principles are the human rights. Human rights are important because they give us human dignity. One cannot flourish without human dignity. Conclusion There is an ethical dilemma whe two possible options are neither absolutely acceptable from an ethical perspective. Modern technologies are usually coupled with ethical dilemmas. In dealing with these technological ethical dilemmas, human rights should be upheld. Why does the future not need us? Why The Future Doesn’t In April 2000, William Need Nelson Us “Bill” Joy, an American computer architect, software developer, entrepreneur and chief scientist of sun microsystems, wrote an article for Wired magazine entitled “Why the future doesn’t need us?”. In his article, Joy warned against In the article, Bill Joy shared his deep concerns about modern technologies, focusing on genetic engineering, nanotechnology and robotics. He discussed the potential damages that these technologies might bring in the future. He also stated that if machines are given the capacity to decide on their own, it will be impossible to predict how they might behave in the future. In this case, the fate of the human race would be at the mercy of machines.  1. Genetics or genetic engineering will allow us to “reprogram our own biology”. Genetics, Nanotechnolo The Human Genome Project completed the mapping of all human genes in 2001, which has huge applications in the field of biotechnology and for humanity at large gy, and 2. Nanotechnology will allow us to Robotics Bill Joy focused only on “manipulate matter at the molecular and atomic scale”. three emerging Nanotechnology has made possible the introduction of nano-robots or nanobots, which can be used in medicine technologies: genetics, to diagnose and cure diseases, and even to fix genetic diseases in the future nanotechnology, and robotics. According to 3. Robotics will allow us to “create a greater than human non-biological Ray Kurzwell, these three intelligence”. fields are amazing for the While robots still do not possess artificial intellegence in the sense of making autonomous decisions, they are now following reasons: being built with “symbiotic autonomy”, which enables them to ask for help from humans or the internet, and improve themselves. Luddites and Luddism HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: LUDDITES REFER TO TEXTILES WORKERS IN THE START OF 19TH CENTURY WHO DESTROYED THE MACHINES IN THEIR FACTORIES. THEY DID THAT, NOT BECAUSE OF HATE OR HOSTILITY TOWARDS NEW TECHNOLOGIES, BUT BECAUSE OF ISSUES ON WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS. Nowadays, Luddites refer to individuals who oppose new technologies. Sometimes, it can also refer to individuals who are not Luddism can be defined as a movement of resistance against modern technologies. Some define it as a movement to end technological advancement and go back to nature. Some define it as a movement that ensures technologies will not do any harm or danger in the future. Luddism is a manifestation of how technology can affect society. It is the response of people who are wary of technologies’ potential negative impacts. Question: Do you know some people who does not know how to use a computer, or does not use the internet? Would you want to convince him or her to learn how to use the computer or use the internet. What will you say Conclusion: Regardless of the differing opinions about modern technology, we can agree that: Modern technologies have both positive and negative impacts. Modern Technologies pose ethical dilemmas. The negative impacts and ethical considerations regarding modern technology should be well thought of as early as the conception of the technology. If they fo arise, after the technology has been introduced, then the problems should be addressed immediately. Do you have any questions? References/ Bibliography