München 2004 – scientific programme

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PV: Plenarvorträge

PV XVIII

PV XVIII: Plenary Talk

Thursday, March 25, 2004, 19:00–20:00, Aula

Technoscience and Ethical Questions in the New Century — •John Ziman — Oakley, Aylesbury, Bucks, England

Science is still advancing phenomenally. There’s no saying what physicists will discover and/or invent. Go for it: enjoy the age-old problem-solving game. But the new century brings new rules to the search for knowledge. As projects become larger, more multidisciplinary, more technological, more ’relevant’, they pose serious ethical questions. Are the goals of the research morally acceptable? Is it being funded by a reputable institution? Who, amongst a diversity of colleagues, is responsible for its technical integrity? Will it be conducted honestly? Might its methods infringe human rights? Will its findings be treated fairly? And so on.

’Technoscience’ contributes amazingly to our civilisation. But it is entangled in a dynamic web of conflicting interests - commercial, political, ideological, legal, humanitarian, etc. The value of authentic scientific knowledge to society depends on its independence from all such influences. Good research is not cheap, so there is no return to the ivory tower. The big ethical question for science - and scientists - is how they can now preserve their hard-won reputation for social, moral and intellectual objectivity.
Ziman, J. M.: Real Science: What it is and what it means. (Cambridge: 2000).