Philosophical aspects of dual use technologies

Area of Science:

• Science and Technology Ethics
• Dual Use Research

Background:

• Dual use technologies present a dichotomy: beneficial scientific advancement versus potential misuse with severe public health or environmental consequences.
• Current assessment approaches include pragmatic (ethical principles and policy) and metaphysical (deeper study of human nature and intentions).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of human nature in the use of science and technology (S and T).
• To establish that moral judgment must precede the application of technologies.
• To propose a framework for assessing dual use technologies rooted in humanistic values.

Main Methods:

• Distinguishing between specific measures, goals, and intentions related to technology.
• Analyzing human nature through the lenses of vulnerability, responsibility, and narrative identity.
• Comparing new technologies against human values, traditions, and societal norms, considering a pluralistic view of human nature.

Main Results:

• Understanding human intentionality, values, and moral ideals is crucial for preventing harm from S and T.
• Vulnerability, responsibility, and narrative identity serve as ontological antidotes to potential technological harm.
• A pluralistic view of human nature is essential for ethical technology assessment.

Conclusions:

• A robust ethical system for dual use technologies requires principles such as good intentions, goal-means correspondence, risk-benefit balance, simplicity, and contextuality.
• These principles promote humanistic and human-friendly technological development.
• Ethical considerations must be integrated into the assessment and deployment of all S and T.