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Related Experiment Video

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The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test

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Facing up to Complexity: Implications for Our Social Experiments.

Ronnie Hawkins¹

¹Department of Philosophy, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32816-1352, USA. 2ronniehawkins@gmail.com.

Science and Engineering Ethics

|June 12, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Biological complexity creates uncertainty in technological interventions. The author proposes viewing new technologies as social experiments rather than relying solely on the precautionary principle.

Keywords:

Complexity theory Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)Ibo van de Poel Insertional mutagenesis John Searle Ontological subjectivity Precautionary principle Prion disease (BSE, vCJD)Reductionism Social cage Social construction Social experiment Substantially equivalent Whistleblowing

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Area of Science:

Biological Systems
Societal Impact of Technology

Background:

Biological systems exhibit high complexity, leading to uncertainty regarding interventions.
New technologies increasingly impact living systems and human bodies, creating large-scale "social experiments".

Purpose of the Study:

To discuss biological complexity and its connection to technologies like BSE/vCJD and GM foods.
To analyze social dynamics complexities related to technological adoption.
To advocate for a shift from the precautionary principle to a social experiment approach for evaluating new technologies.

Main Methods:

Discussion of biological complexity.
Analysis of social dynamics.
Conceptual framework proposal.

Main Results:

Technological interventions in complex biological systems carry inherent uncertainties.
Societal reactions and controversies (e.g., BSE/vCJD, GM foods) highlight these complexities.
The precautionary principle may be insufficient for managing novel technological risks.

Conclusions:

Evaluating new technologies as social experiments offers a more pragmatic approach.
This framework acknowledges the inherent uncertainties and societal dimensions of technological introduction.
A shift in evaluation methodology is needed to better navigate the impact of emerging technologies.