Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Moral responsibility and the 'ignorant scientist'.

J Forge1

  • 1School of Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia. J.Forge@sct.gu.edu.au

Science and Engineering Ethics
|March 29, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Scientists may be held responsible for unforeseen outcomes of their work. Ignorance is not always an excuse if general scientific principles and norms were not followed.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Bowel obstruction caused by colonic metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma: a case report and literature review.

World journal of surgical oncology·2019
Same author

The Cambridge Language and Speech Project (CLASP). I . Detection of language difficulties at 36 to 39 months.

Developmental medicine and child neurology·1996
See all related articles

Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Science
  • Ethics in Science

Background:

  • The ethical landscape of scientific research often grapples with accountability for unintended consequences.
  • Determining responsibility when outcomes are unforeseeable presents a significant philosophical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the conditions under which a scientist can be held responsible for work with unforeseen outcomes.
  • To analyze the role of ignorance in scientific accountability.

Main Methods:

  • Philosophical analysis of responsibility attribution.
  • Examination of ethical principles and norms in scientific practice.

Main Results:

  • Ignorance of an outcome does not automatically absolve a scientist of responsibility.
Keywords:
Analytical ApproachBiomedical and Behavioral ResearchPhilosophical Approach

Related Experiment Videos

  • Responsibility can be attributed if the scientist was aware of, or should have been aware of, relevant general principles, rules, or norms.
  • These rules are integral to science as a social institution.

    • Conclusions:

    • Scientific responsibility extends beyond foreseeable outcomes.
    • Adherence to established scientific norms and principles is crucial for ethical conduct and accountability.
    • Understanding science as a social institution informs the framework for scientific responsibility.