Technological determinism, values and the precautionary principle in nanotechnology

1
Technological determinism, values and the
precautionary principle in nanotechnology

• John Weckert
• Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics
• Charles Sturt University
• Australia

2
Calls for the precautionary principle in
nanotechnology

• ETC group (Canada)
• Greenpeace
• Bill Joy
• Worries raised by Royal Society Report (UK)
• Greens party, Australia

3
What is the Precautionary Principle?

• Where an activity raises threats of harm to the
  environment or human health, precautionary
  measures should be taken even if some cause and
  effect relationships are not fully established
  scientifically (Wingspread, 1998)

4
Precautionary Principle Assumptions

• Predicting the results of scientific and
  technology development is possible
• It is possible to halt or control development in
  ways that will avoid harmful consequences

5
Some problems

• It is often claimed that
• Progress cant be stopped
• If we dont do it someone else will
• Technological determinism
• Dual use
• Collingridge dilemma

6
Technology and Values

• Two ways that values are involved in technology
• Provide a reason for development
• Facilitate some behaviour and inhibit other
• Some say that technology embodies values, or
• Technology is value-laden

7
Values and Technological Determinism

• It appears that technological development cannot
  be stopped or directed because only values of
  efficiency and productivity are taken into
  account (Habermas)

8
Collingridge Dilemma

• Either a technology is in a relatively early
  stage of development when it is unknown what
  changes should be made, or a technology is in a
  relatively late stage of development when change
  is expensive, difficult and time-consuming.
• If the former, then control is not possible.
• If the latter, then control is not feasible.
• Therefore, either controlling technology is not
  possible, or controlling technology is not
  feasible

9
What should be controlled?

• Research
• Publication of results
• Development of the technology
• Use of the technology

10
Conclusion

• Applying the precautionary principle involves
  considering
• problems of prediction
• the extent that development can be controlled
• the level at which control should be applied