Book ID: CBB663721735

Dual Use Science and Technology, Ethics and Weapons of Mass Destruction (2018)

unapi

Miller, Seumas (Author)


Springer


Publication Date: 2018
Physical Details: 132 pp.
Language: English

This book deals with the problem of dual-use science research and technology. It first explains the concept of dual use and then offers analyses of collective knowledge and collective ignorance. It goes on to present a theory of collective responsibility, followed by four chapters focusing on a particular scientific field or industry of dual use concern: the chemical industry, the nuclear industry, cyber-technology and the biological sciences. The problem of dual-use science research and technology arises because such research and technology has the potential to be used for great evil as well as for great good. On the one hand, knowledge is a necessary condition, and perhaps a constitutive feature, of technologies that contribute greatly to individual and collective well-being. Consider, for example, nuclear technology that enables the generation of low cost electricity in populations without obvious alternative energy sources. So technological knowledge is a good thing and ignorance of it a bad thing. On the other hand, these same technologies can be extremely harmful to individuals and collectives, as with the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. So, at least with respect to some technologies evidently knowledge is a bad thing and ignorance a good thing. Accordingly, the question arises as to whether we ought to limit scientific research and/or the development of technology and, if so, which research or technology, in what manner and to what extent. This book examines the answer to that question.

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Reviewed By

Review John Forge (2019) Review of "Dual Use Science and Technology, Ethics and Weapons of Mass Destruction". Metascience: An International Review Journal for the History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science (pp. 159-161). unapi

Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB663721735/

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Authors & Contributors
Simon Cropper
Richard Wolfson
Jessa Lingel
Nicholas Sakellariou
Margaret Webb
Mitchell, Mary X.
Concepts
Computers and computing
Nuclear industry
Cyberspace
Nuclear weapons; atomic weapons
Technology and society
Internet
Time Periods
20th century, late
21st century
20th century
Places
United States
France
Soviet Union
Russia
Japan
Italy
Institutions
Facebook (firm)
LinkedIn (firm)
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (University of California, Berkeley)
National Institute of Health (U.S.)
Du Pont Company
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