Technological Pessimism

The view that all technolgy is bad. Technological pessimists scorn the two following things:

(1) The fact that nature under a technology worldview is seen as stock to be used by man, as opposed to something that nurtures us.

(2) the fact that with increase in technology there is a fragmentation of human experience. (Ex: microwaves and tv-dinners take away from dinner time)

A view advocated by William Wulf, the president of the national academy of engineering, that says that all technolgy is good.

In general, do what maximizes the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

- Act Utilitarianism: The best action maximizes good consequences.

- Rule Utilitarianism: says actions are moral when they conform to the rules that lead to the greatest good

Right actions are the ones that accord respect to each person as a free and equal moral agent.

- Rights Test: [image]Rights Test “You are free to do whatever you want as long as it doesn’t violate or infringe on anyone else’s rights.”

- Golden Rule Test: Put yourself in the other's position.

- Self-defeating Test: Could I perform this action if everyone else did it in similar circumstance.

Focus on promoting human well-being through technology.

- Non-mandatory

- 3 Levels of Aspirational Ethics:

1) Aspiration to Excellence

2) Aspiration to Public Welfare

3) Altruistic Engineer - (self-sacrifice)

- 3 Types of Motivation

1) Awareness of social effects of one's work

2) Respect for Nature

3) Progression in Professional Identity

- 3 Stages of Professional Identity

1) Obeying Laws - (self-interest)

2) Being a member of one's profession (team-oriented)

3) Self-defining professional

- internal set of standards

- Profession as a means to promote good

- Focus on preventing harm to the public which results from the effects of technology and profesional misconduct.

- Usually Mandatory

3 Levels of Preventative Ethics:

1) Minimalism: Avoiding breaking the law or codes

2) Due Care: Attempting to prevent actions or situations that can harm the public.

3) Supererogatory (Beyond the Call of duty): Acting with no ethical obligation but as a matter of personal conscience.

Abolition of child labor as related to technology

Stimulated the development of technologies that could do the jobs that small bodies once did.

Relevant to Engineering:

1) Live normal lifespan

2) Have clean water, food, and shelter

3) Move freely and safely

9) Recreational Activity

DeGeorge's Whistleblowing Criteria:

- Utilitarian

- Morally Permissible

1) Potential serious harm

2) Reported concern to superior

3) Exhausted every channel within the company

- Morally Obligatory

4) Documented sufficiently

5) Disclosing information would actually prevent harm

-Criticism: Practically impossible to meet all criteria; time constraints make it difficult

Davis' Whistleblowing Criteria:

- RP Complicity-Avoiding Theory

- Idea: To avoid participation in immoral act, not to prevent harm to public.

Criteria: 

1) Derives from your work

2) You are a voluntary member of work

3) You believe engagement is a serious moral wrong

4) Your work contributes to the  wrong

- Criticism: Must be directly involved, focuses on current, not past