Dual Use Science and Technology, Ethics and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Description

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. Front Matter ....Pages i-viii Introduction (Seumas Miller)....Pages 1-3 Concept of Dual Use (Seumas Miller)....Pages 5-20 Collective Knowledge and Collective Ignorance (Seumas Miller)....Pages 21-37 Collective Responsibility (Seumas Miller)....Pages 39-54 Chemical Industry (Seumas Miller)....Pages 55-71 Nuclear Industry (Seumas Miller)....Pages 73-90 Cyber-Technology (Seumas Miller)....Pages 91-104 Biological Sciences (Seumas Miller)....Pages 105-114 Conclusion (Seumas Miller)....Pages 115-117 Back Matter ....Pages 119-122