1 - Introduction

INTRODUCTION TO
THE MORAL PHILOSOPHY OF TECHNOLOGY:

FOCUS ON COMPUTING SCIENCE
CMPT 320
How valuable is television to

education?
QUESTIONS:
2
How valuable is television to

education?
It was originally conceived as the
ultimate technology of mass education.
ANYONE WHO TRIES TO MAKE A DISTINCTION

BETWEEN EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT
DOESN'T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT EITHER.
-MARSHALL MCLUHAN
Should every home have a telephone?
QUESTIONS:
5
Should every home have a telephone?

The telephone is so important, every
city will need one!
-Anonymous
6
THE MAJOR ADVANCES IN SPEED OF

COMMUNICATION AND ABILITY TO INTERACT TOOK
PLACE MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO. THE SHIFT
FROM SAILING SHIPS TO TELEGRAPH WAS FAR MORE
RADICAL THAN THAT FROM TELEPHONE TO EMAIL!
-NOAM CHOMSKY
QUESTIONS:
8
Should every home have a computer?
Should every home have a computer?
There is no reason for any individual to have a

computer in their home.
- Ken Olson, Pres. DEC
WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE AND, AT THE SAME TIME, TO

RECEIVE LESS INFORMATION. IN FACT, THE PROBLEM OF A WORKER IN
TODAY'S KNOWLEDGE INDUSTRY IS NOT THE SCARCITY OF
INFORMATION BUT ITS EXCESS. THE SAME HOLDS FOR PROFESSIONALS:
JUST THINK OF A PHYSICIAN OR AN EXECUTIVE, CONSTANTLY
BOMBARDED BY INFORMATION THAT IS AT BEST IRRELEVANT. IN ORDER
TO LEARN ANYTHING WE NEED TIME. AND TO MAKE TIME WE MUST USE
INFORMATION FILTERS ALLOWING US TO IGNORE MOST OF THE
INFORMATION AIMED AT US.
WE MUST IGNORE MUCH TO LEARN A
LITTLE.
-MARIO AUGUSTO BUNGE
10
Did anyone predict the ubiquity of computers?
QUESTIONS:
11
Did anyone predict the ubiquity of computers?

I think there is a world market for maybe five
computers.
-Thomas Watson, Chair. IBM (Not Verfied)
12
I THINK THERE IS A WORLD MARKET FOR

MAYBE FIVE COMPUTERS.
-THOMAS WATSON, CHAIR. IBM
13
MODERN TECHNOLOGY HAS BECOME A TOTAL

PHENOMENON FOR CIVILIZATION, THE DEFINING
FORCE OF A NEW SOCIAL ORDER IN WHICH
EFFICIENCY IS NO LONGER AN OPTION BUT A
NECESSITY IMPOSED ON ALL HUMAN ACTIVITY.
JACQUES ELLUL
14
PRELIMINARY CONCLUSION:
Technological prediction is difficult:

We do not know exactly where we are headed.
Instead, market forces appear to be herding
consumers in the current epoch.
15
WHEN WAS THE STEAM ENGINE INVENTED?
16
WHEN WAS THE STEAM ENGINE INVENTED?
17
http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-technology/ten-amazing-inventions-ancient-times-001539?nopaging=1
WHEN WAS THE MAGNIFYING GLASS INVENTED?
18
WHEN WAS THE MAGNIFYING GLASS INVENTED?
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WHEN WAS THE SEISMOMETER INVENTED?
20
WHEN WAS THE SEISMOMETER INVENTED?
21
ANOTHER PRELIMINARY CONCLUSION
The prevalent view of technology is misguided.
22
ANOTHER PRELIMINARY CONCLUSION
The prevalent view of technology is misguided.

In fact, what is technology?
23
"THE WORLD WE HAVE CREATED IS A PRODUCT
OF OUR THINKING;
IT CANNOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT CHANGING OUR THINKING.".

- ALBERT EINSTEIN, 1946
24
QUESTIONING OUR RAPIDLY EVOLVING

TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY
25

Attention: Does technology affect capacity to pay attention?
Does the quantity of data affect our ability to respond?
Limits: Does reliance on technology affect community standards,
mors, taboos? Is it addictive or does it affect other addictive
behavior?
Engagement: Does technology use raise expectations of self and
others about how much we can accomplish and how quickly? Do
speedy encounters make conflicts and misunderstandings more
likely?
Relationships: What is the impact of increasing dependence on
mediated communications on relationships and communities?
Are people more isolated, disconnected, lonely?
Time: How much time does technology consume to use, to fix,
to maintain? What does such time displace? Does technology
change our perception of time?
Space: What are the implications of disconnecting meaningful
presence from the location of our bodies? Does technology
emphasize the distant instead of the close by?
Arthur Boers
26

Limits: Does reliance on technology affect community
standards, mors, taboos? Is it addictive or does it affect other
addictive behavior?
Engagement: Does technology use raise expectations of self and
others about how much we can accomplish and how quickly? Do
speedy encounters make conflicts and misunderstandings more
likely?
Arthur Boers
27

addictive behavior?
Engagement: Does technology use raise expectations of self
and others about how much we can accomplish and how
quickly? Do speedy encounters make conflicts and
misunderstandings more likely?
Arthur Boers
28

addictive behavior?
Relationships: What is the impact of increasing dependence
on mediated communications on relationships and
communities? Are people more isolated, disconnected, lonely?
Arthur Boers
29

addictive behavior?
Arthur Boers
30


addictive behavior?
Time: How much time does technology consume to use, to
fix, to maintain? What does such time displace? Does
technology change our perception of time?
Space: What are the implications of disconnecting
meaningful presence from the location of our bodies? Does
technology emphasize the distant instead of the close by?
Arthur Boers - http://ethix.org/2011/06/26/new-questions-on-the-impact-of-technology
31
32
weforum.org
33
weforum.org
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35
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Author: Kristel van der Elst is head of Strategic Foresight at the World Economic Forum.
ISSUES RELATING TO
THE RELATIONSHIP OF
TECHNOLOGY TO LAW
AND TO CIVIL LIBERTIES
39
40
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/526401/laws-and-ethics-cant-keep-pace-with-technology/
41
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1926431
CIVIL RIGHTS PRINCIPLES FOR THE ERA OF BIG DATA

Technological progress should bring greater safety, economic opportunity, and convenience to everyone. And the
collection of new types of data is essential for documenting persistent inequality and discrimination. At the same
time, as new technologies allow companies and government to gain greater insight into our lives, it is vitally
important that these technologies be designed and used in ways that respect the values of equal opportunity and
equal justice. We aim to:
Stop High-Tech Profiling. New surveillance tools and data gathering techniques that can assemble detailed information
about any person or group create a heightened risk of profiling and discrimination. Clear limitations and robust audit
mechanisms are necessary to make sure that if these tools are used it is in a responsible and equitable way.
Ensure Fairness in Automated Decisions. Computerized decision making in areas such as employment, health,
education, and lending must be judged by its impact on real people, must operate fairly for all communities, and in
particular must protect the interests of those that are disadvantaged or that have historically been the subject of
discrimination. Systems that are blind to the preexisting disparities faced by such communities can easily reach decisions
that reinforce existing inequities. Independent review and other remedies may be necessary to assure that a system works
fairly.
Preserve Constitutional Principles. Search warrants and other independent oversight of law enforcement are
particularly important for communities of color and for religious and ethnic minorities, who often face disproportionate
scrutiny. Government databases must not be allowed to undermine core legal protections, including those of privacy and
freedom of association.
Enhance Individual Control of Personal Information. Personal information that is known to a corporation such as
the moment-to-moment record of a persons movements or communications can easily be used by companies and the
government against vulnerable populations, including women, the formerly incarcerated, immigrants, religious minorities,
the LGBT community, and young people. Individuals should have meaningful, flexible control over how a corporation
gathers data from them, and how it uses and shares that data. Non-public information should not be disclosed to the
government without judicial process.
Protect People from Inaccurate Data. Government and corporate databases must allow everyone including the
urban and rural poor, people with disabilities, seniors, and people who lack access to the Internet to appropriately
ensure the accuracy of personal information that is used to make important decisions about them. This requires disclosure
42
of the underlying data, and the right to correct it when inaccurate.
http://www.civilrights.org/press/2014/civil-rights-principles-bigdata.html?referrer=http://www.techrepublic.com/article/disruptive-technologies-pose-difficult-ethical-questions-for-society/
THE ROLE OF ACADEMIA
43
THE ROLE OF ACADEMIA
44
IMPORTANT PRELIMINARY CONCLUSION
It is foolish to be blindly optimistic of technology.

45
THIS STUDY IS VAST
46
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50
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53
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55
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58
59
60
61
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63
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YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE QUESTIONS.

They are NOT based upon expert consensus.
They are meant to preview the sort of issues of
concern in todays technological society.
However, you should have the flavor of them
you should be able to come up with similar ones.
66
PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE
67
PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE: MORAL PHILOSOPHY
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69
70

Mary Shelley makes full use of themes that were
popular during the time she wrote Frankenstein. She
is concerned with the use of knowledge for good or
evil purposes, the invasion of technology into modern
life, the treatment of the poor or uneducated, and
the restorative powers of nature in the face of
unnatural events.
71
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/

Godzilla 1954
72
http://www.godzilla-movies.com/
WHAT IS MORALITY?
73
WHAT IS MORALITY?
74
75
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/morality-definition/
76
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/morality-definition/
QUESTION
What is the difference between ethics and morality?
77
DEFINITION: ETHICS
Ethics, sometimes known as philosophical ethics, ethical
theory, moral theory, and moral philosophy, is a branch
of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending and
recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct, often
addressing disputes of moral diversity.
Morals are the principles on which ones judgments of right and
wrong are based. Ethics are principles of right conduct. So the
two nouns are closely related and are often interchangeable. The
main difference is that morals are more abstract, subjective, and
often personal or religion-based, while ethics are more practical,
conceived as shared principles promoting fairness in social and
business interactions. For example, a politicians sex scandal may
involve a moral lapse (a subjective judgment), while a politician
taking money from a company he is supposed to regulate is an
ethical problem. But of course, both ethics and morals may have
a part in both situations.
78
DEFINITION: ETHICS
79
DEFINITION: ETHICS
80
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http://values-knowledge-base.blogspot.ca/2011/12/whats-difference-between-values-ethics.html
QUESTIONS FOR TECHNOCRATS
82
Who is responsible for these inventions?
83
Is Big Brother real or fiction?
84
What is your role in Global Environmental Change?
85
GENERAL PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE
86
Computational technology is an immensely powerful

element of society and a driver of social change.
87

We are key individuals that underlie its evolution.
88

You may not see the value of this course as an
undergraduate but, hopefully, you will learn to
appreciate it as your careers advance.
89

You may not see the value of this course as an
undergraduate but, hopefully, you will learn to
appreciate it as your careers advance.
Some CS alumni consider it the most important course
of their undergraduate education.
90
Introducing the student of computing science to their

role as moral philosopher regarding potent
technologies.
91

technologies.
A university degree suggests breadth in knowledge
and skilled communication and ability to think
critically.
92

technologies.
critically.
Non-convergent research experience.
93

technologies.
critically.
Non-convergent research experience.
We choose to approach this topic from the scientific
perspective (i.e., memetics and nonlinear systems).
94
MANDATORY HOMEWORK
Please watch this entire twelve-part tutorial on nonlinear systems for next time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=756Prp8THiM&list=PLsJWgOB5mIMDL4AVYAxG05IE3zL5Z9weW&nohtml5=False
95
OVERVIEW
TODAY (motivation)
WHAT is sociotechnology?
WHY is it an important field of study?
Scope of affect (WHO, WHERE, and WHEN)
96
OVERVIEW
TODAY (motivation)
WHAT is sociotechnology?
WHY is it an important field of study?
Scope of affect (WHO, WHERE, and WHEN)
BODY OF COURSE
HOW do we study it? (Scientifically?)
The study itself (broken into philosophical
domains due to our lack of knowledge).
Conclusions.
97
AN UNCOMMON TERM
98
WHAT IS SOCIOTECHNOLOGY?
Sociotechnology
Sociology
Social Change
Applied Science?
Computing Science (this course)
NB: This is not universally accepted nomenclature, but think

of words like socioeconomics.
99
IS TECHNOLOGY APPLIED SCIENCE?
The Nature of Technological Knowledge

- Laudan, 1984.
100
Our Focus in This Course
101
Our Focus in This Course
Poor title. Why?
102
ACM
103
104
105
Steven. Arent you

teaching that wishywashy course now?
-
Alistair Lachlan, 1999

Mathematics Chair
106
COURSE THESIS STATEMENT

What is the relationship between
sociocultural change and
computational technology?
(from a scientific perspective and not from
the humanities ideological perspective)
107
IDEOLOGY VERSUS SCIENCE THE HOW
Science is not intended to be an ideology:

Science purports to describe how the world is.
Ideology is how the world should be (value-laden).
108
IDEOLOGY VERSUS SCIENCE

109

This is highly contentious:
110

This is highly contentious:
See http://www.centerforinquiry.net/blogs/entry/is_science_or_naturalism_an_ideology/
for an opposing argument that science is NOT ideological.
111
THE PROMETHEAN WARNING
112
THE PROMETHEAN WARNING THE WHY
Consider the Greek legend of Prometheus who, according to Greek legend,

brought the gift of fire to humanity (there is both a benevolent side and a 113
malevolent side of the gift it can warm your home, but also destroy it if used
without careful foresight).
SOME TECHNOLOGICAL GIFTS

The printing press (15th Century)
-
Mass dissemination of
information, written language,
and education of the masses
(quite possibly the true
beginning of the so-called
Information Age)
114

The printing press (15th Century)
-
information, written language,
and education of the masses
(quite possibly the true beginning
of the so-called Information Age)
misinformation (according to the
Church)
115

The automobile (early 20th Century)
-
A new clean technology

(eliminated the horse dung
problem)
This began a human lifetime ago

116

The automobile (early 20th Century)
-
A new clean technology

(eliminated the horse dung
problem)
Introduced a new form of

pollution (few imagined the
omnipresence of the car).
117
Roads rather than geography are determining

the spatial distribution of human population.
There are more than

4 million miles of roads
118
just in the US
today.

Project Y - Manhattan Project (Fall, 1942)
- A tool to bring an end to global war and to stop evil doers
from doing evil.
119
Project Y - Manhattan Project (Fall, 1942)

-
A tool to bring an end to global war and to stop

evil doers from doing evil.
A technology that could extinguish all higher
forms of life on a global scale.
Many scientists working on the Manhattan Project
had serious misgivings about developing the bomb,
but what if the Nazis had developed it first?
NOTE: Project PX ENIAC (Spring, 1943)
120
TEMPORAL PERSPECTIVE THE WHEN
the first recognition of the social

responsibilities of computer people seems to have
been a letter sent to the editors of the magazine
Computers and Automation during the late
1950s! (from Berkeley, 1962)
121
TEMPORAL PERSPECTIVE

The theme was overshadowed by the nuclear
age
122
TEMPORAL PERSPECTIVE

The theme was overshadowed by the nuclear
age
Today, we focus on privacy in the West.
123
MORE HOMEWORK:
PLEASE READ BERKELEY
124
OF PROMETHEUS AND NEO-LUDDITES
125
KOYAANISQATSI
This film was a precedent-setter in the early 1980s.
126
KOYAANISQATSI
It was inspired by Jacques Ellul a famous French
sociologist who warned against the current, unbridled
period of unprecedented technological advancement.
127
KOYAANISQATSI
It is meant to test your boundaries it is not meant as
entertainment and it fits the premise of this course like
a glove.
128
KOYAANISQATSI
It is meant to test your boundaries it is not meant as
entertainment and it fits the premise of this course like
a glove.
It is meant as an alternative way of inspiring the
student to think about the subject rather than mere
lecture notes.
129
KOYAANISQATSI
If you found it difficult to watch, then youve been
challenged.
If something hurts to experience, then you are
growing.
Broaden your mind challenge your own
preconceptions.
Critical thinking necessarily entails taking the
opposing view in an argument, as well as
exercising systematic, rational thought.
130
BRIEF CLASS EXERCISE

Enumerate the factors that are expected to have the
greatest social impact during the 21st century.
131
AN INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH STUDY...

A
survey of the 24 technologies expected to

have the greatest impact in the 21st century
(i.e., materials science, microelectronics,
genetic engineering, etc.)
MAJOR FINDING: 18 of the 24 technologies
are impossible without software
- Pressman, 1988
132
ISC/CSIRO AUGUST 1999 (AU)

Information Technology
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology
Microelectronics
Telecommunications (including photonics)
Environmental Management
Materials Technologies
133
TECHNOLOGY REVIEW (JAN-FEB, 2001)

Brain-Machine
Interfaces
Flexible Transistors
Data Mining
Digital Rights Management
Biometrics
Natural Language Processing
Microphotonics
Untangling Code
Robot Design
Microfluidics
134
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, DEC. 1999
Look it up on the web

www.sciam.com
135
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, DEC. 1999
Look it up on the web
Mostly concerned with scientific advancement,

but includes How the Brain Creates the Mind,
and Rise of Robots.
136
IMMEDIATE CONCLUSION
Computational technology is a significant factor of

contemporary society.
137
IMMEDIATE CONCLUSION
Computational technology is a significant factor of

contemporary society.
There is another important factor to consider
138
FUTURE SHOCK
Title of a popular book written by sociologist Alvin
Toffler
Thesis: Can individuals keep up with the
accelerating rate of change?
In futures studies and the history of technology,
accelerating change is a perceived increase
technology in the rate of technological change
throughout history, which may suggest faster and
more profound change in the future and it may or
may not be accompanied by equally profound social
and cultural change (Wikipedia).
139
140
WHO, WHERE, AND WHEN?

GLOBAL POPULATION (Linear Plot)
7000
2011
* 2000
Millions of People
6000
5000
4000
3000
Industrial Revolution begins

2000
1000
0
-12000
-10000
-8000
-6000
-4000
Year
-2000
141
0
2000
4000
142
1960s
2000s
143
144
The Where
145
http://imgur.com/Dv4RVvp
FUTURE UNCERTAINTY
A Doomsday
Scenario
146
HUMAN ENERGY CONSUMPTION
147
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Zb0pJa3Hg
AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGICAL OPTIMISM:
148
ARE WE IN A REVOLUTIONARY
TECHNOLOGICAL PERIOD?
The impact of computers on our society was
probably best seen when in 1982 Time magazine
picked the computer as its "Man of the Year,"
actually listing it as "Machine of the Year." It is
hard to imagine a picture of the Spirit of St. Louis
or an Apollo lander on the magazine cover under a
banner "Machine of the Year." This perhaps shows
how influential the computer has become in our
society.
149
http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/computer.html
THE FIRST 25 YEARS OF THE ELECTRONIC

DIGITAL COMPUTER
150
MOORES LAW
In 1965, an engineer at Fairchild
Semiconductor named Gordon Moore noted that
the number of transistors on a chip doubled
every 18 to 24 months.
A corollary to Moores Law, as that observation
came to be know, is that the speed of
microprocessors, at a constant cost, also doubles
It is nothing unique exponential growth is
typical of socioeconomic development (as we shall
examine later)
151
MOORES LAW
A corollary to Moores Law, as that
observation came to be know, is that the speed
of microprocessors, at a constant cost, also
doubles every 18 to 24 months.
typical of socioeconomic development (as we shall
examine later)
152
MOORES LAW

A corollary to Moores Law, as that
observation came to be know, is that the speed
of microprocessors, at a constant cost, also
doubles every 18 to 24 months.
typical of socioeconomic development (as we
shall examine later).
153
THE SO-CALLED COMPUTER

REVOLUTION
Computing power (processing speed) has been
rising exponentially.
Storage power (memory) has been rising
exponentially.
Miniaturization (We are down to the quantum
level)
154
GROWTH OF THE INTERNET

45000000
40000000
35000000
30000000
25000000
20000000
15000000
562
10000000
5000000
0
83
85
87
89
91
93
95
97
99
155
156
http://www.edudemic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Internet-minute.jpg
157
HTTPS://ANSWERS.YAHOO.COM/QUESTION/INDEX?QID=20100615200344AA14YMU
ON THE OTHER HAND
158
ON THE OTHER HAND
159
ON THE OTHER HAND
160
ASIDE ON EXPONENTIAL GROWTH

If an observer today was to measure this rate of
increase, it would be straightforward to
extrapolate backwards and work out when the
number of transistors on a chip was zero. In
other words, the date when microchips were first
developed in the 1960s.
A similar process works with scientific
publications. Between 1990 and 1960, they
doubled in number every 15 years or so.
Extrapolating this backwards gives the origin of
scientific publication as 1710, about the time of
Isaac Newton.
161

Knowledge doubles every eight years
(http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/computer.html)
.
When did knowledge begin?
162

(http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/computer.html).
When did life begin?
163

(http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/computer.html)
.
164

(http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/compute
r.html).
165
ARE WE FACING A UNPRECEDENTED PROBLEM?

GLOBAL POPULATION (Linear Plot)
Millions of People
7000
Calculate how long will it take

before homo sapiens inhabits the
landmass of Earth like trees with
standing room only?
2011
* 2000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
-12000
-10000
-8000
-6000
-4000
Year
-2000
166
0
2000
4000
AERONAUTICAL TECHNOLOGY
Compare and contrast over 50 years of

technological change 1900s-1950s:
167

168
http://idlewords.com/talks/web_design_first_100_years.htm

Why arent we flying at

supersonic speeds?
169
http://idlewords.com/talks/web_design_first_100_years.htm
EXTREME CLAIMS
Computational technology will soon allow us

to outperform the human brain
Will Spiritual Robots Replace Humanity by
2100?
-
Kurzweil, 1999
Is there a real possibility of social

disorientation from HAL 9000-like machines?
Some scholars place this futurists topic as
tantamount to concerns over privacy
170
WHAT HAS THE COMPUTER ALLOWED US TO DO

THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY IMPOSSIBLE?
CALCULATOR EXERCISE:
EXAMINE THE BEHAVIOR OF
xt+1 = kxt , and

xt+1 = kxt (1 xt)
THE LATTER EQUATION BEING THE SO-CALLED LOGISTIC MAP
171
DOORS OPENED BY COMPUTERS
Intellectual discoveries
Mathematical modeling (weather, climate,
governmental policy based on PDEs.)
Space flight
Massive data storage
Communications
Etc
Virtually every area of life is affected!

Hence, we will approach this
philosophically.
172
GLOBAL CRISIS: CAN TECHNOLOGY BAIL US OUT?
173
http://www.wri.org/blog/2013/12/world%E2%80%99s-36-most-water-stressed-countries
IMPORTANT CONCLUSIONS
Social organization is a natural, complex physical

system and is arguably nonlinear.
174
Prediction is possible only in hypothesized linear
regimes (note that bubbles are a nonlinear
phenomenon such as Moores Law).
175
Otherwise, accurately predicting the long-term
future of, say, technology is largely impossible in
the case of full nonlinearity (sensitivity to ICs?).
176
Otherwise, accurately predicting the long-term
future of, say, technology is largely impossible in
the case of full nonlinearity (how could one tell?).
Moreover, one can never know all factors
(inadequate specification) such as the success of a
marketing campaign (i.e., VHS over BETAMAX).
177
178
http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/pages/218/Historical-Quotes/
179
180
181
182
ANY QUOTE FROM BILL GATES IS CONTENTIOUS!

183
TENTATIVE SYLLABUS
Based on philosophical domains.
184
TENTATIVE SYLLABUS

We will begin with overviews of both technology and
social science (the core subject matter of this course is
social change).
185
TENTATIVE SYLLABUS

We will begin with overviews of both technology and
social science (the core subject matter of this course is
social change).
There are popular areas in the literature that we will
address as well, such as privacy, social policy and AI.
186
FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS
What is technology?
Moreover, what constitutes a good definition?
What are the limitations of science?
Is a scientific theory of society and technology possible?
Will knowing right from wrong deter us in aspiring
to our careers?
What prediction is possible?
187
PRESENTATION TERMINATED
188

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1 - Introduction

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INTRODUCTION TO

THE MORAL PHILOSOPHY OF TECHNOLOGY:

How valuable is television to

How valuable is television to

ANYONE WHO TRIES TO MAKE A DISTINCTION

Should every home have a telephone?

Should every home have a telephone?

THE MAJOR ADVANCES IN SPEED OF

Should every home have a computer?

Should every home have a computer?

There is no reason for any individual to have a

WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE AND, AT THE SAME TIME, TO

WE MUST IGNORE MUCH TO LEARN A

-MARIO AUGUSTO BUNGE

Did anyone predict the ubiquity of computers?

Did anyone predict the ubiquity of computers?

I THINK THERE IS A WORLD MARKET FOR

MODERN TECHNOLOGY HAS BECOME A TOTAL

Technological prediction is difficult:

WHEN WAS THE STEAM ENGINE INVENTED?

WHEN WAS THE STEAM ENGINE INVENTED?

WHEN WAS THE MAGNIFYING GLASS INVENTED?

WHEN WAS THE MAGNIFYING GLASS INVENTED?

WHEN WAS THE SEISMOMETER INVENTED?

WHEN WAS THE SEISMOMETER INVENTED?

ANOTHER PRELIMINARY CONCLUSION

The prevalent view of technology is misguided.

ANOTHER PRELIMINARY CONCLUSION

The prevalent view of technology is misguided.

"THE WORLD WE HAVE CREATED IS A PRODUCT

IT CANNOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT CHANGING OUR THINKING.".

QUESTIONING OUR RAPIDLY EVOLVING

QUESTIONING OUR RAPIDLY EVOLVING

QUESTIONING OUR RAPIDLY EVOLVING

QUESTIONING OUR RAPIDLY EVOLVING

QUESTIONING OUR RAPIDLY EVOLVING

QUESTIONING OUR RAPIDLY EVOLVING

QUESTIONING OUR RAPIDLY EVOLVING

Attention: Does technology affect capacity to pay attention?

Arthur Boers - http://ethix.org/2011/06/26/new-questions-on-the-impact-of-technology

CIVIL RIGHTS PRINCIPLES FOR THE ERA OF BIG DATA

THE ROLE OF ACADEMIA

THE ROLE OF ACADEMIA

IMPORTANT PRELIMINARY CONCLUSION

It is foolish to be blindly optimistic of technology.

THIS STUDY IS VAST

YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE QUESTIONS.

PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE

PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE: MORAL PHILOSOPHY

PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE: MORAL PHILOSOPHY

PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE: MORAL PHILOSOPHY

PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE: MORAL PHILOSOPHY

PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE: MORAL PHILOSOPHY

What is the difference between ethics and morality?

QUESTIONS FOR TECHNOCRATS

QUESTIONS FOR TECHNOCRATS

Who is responsible for these inventions?

QUESTIONS FOR TECHNOCRATS

Is Big Brother real or fiction?

QUESTIONS FOR TECHNOCRATS

What is your role in Global Environmental Change?

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE