Rights statement: This is a preprint draft copy, freely available for fair use, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use.
Submitted manuscript, 215 KB, PDF document
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Special issue › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Special issue › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The TECHNOLIFE project
T2 - an experimental approach to new ethical frameworks for emerging science and technology.
AU - Rommetveit, Kjetil
AU - Gunnarsdottir, Kristrun
AU - Jepsen, Kim Sun
AU - Bertelsson, Margareta
AU - Verax, Fanny
AU - Strand, Roger
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - This paper presents the development of an experimental methodology for empirical and participatory ethics of science and technology. It is designed to detect, understand and mediate public concerns. Science and technology evolve rapidly as a result of their internal dynamics as well as the optimization of subsidy for research and innovation in recent times. Ethical frameworks for governing these developments are confronted with considerable tensions in mediating the velocity of new innovations while securing more robust institutional guarantees in order to manage and regulate in time. We argue that existing frameworks need to evolve to become more sensitive to the diversity of technological and societal challenges, of envisioning futures, and of what counts as legitimate concerns. For this reason, we give socio-technical imaginaries a key role in developing an ethical framework. Our experimental approach is seeking to establish criteria for mediating a wide range of public opinion in ways that can become embedded in legitimate, institutional procedures. Our methodological approach is also seeking to mediate between lay ethics and the discourse of professional ethicists, recognizing the fragmented character of both. We draw on theoretical constructs in current STS research, notably, those dealing with complex relations between communities, real or imagined, and the rise of new publics whose voices can be distilled and heard through mediating channels. This experimental methodology forms the central component of an ongoing European Union FP7-funded project, TECHNOLIFE.
AB - This paper presents the development of an experimental methodology for empirical and participatory ethics of science and technology. It is designed to detect, understand and mediate public concerns. Science and technology evolve rapidly as a result of their internal dynamics as well as the optimization of subsidy for research and innovation in recent times. Ethical frameworks for governing these developments are confronted with considerable tensions in mediating the velocity of new innovations while securing more robust institutional guarantees in order to manage and regulate in time. We argue that existing frameworks need to evolve to become more sensitive to the diversity of technological and societal challenges, of envisioning futures, and of what counts as legitimate concerns. For this reason, we give socio-technical imaginaries a key role in developing an ethical framework. Our experimental approach is seeking to establish criteria for mediating a wide range of public opinion in ways that can become embedded in legitimate, institutional procedures. Our methodological approach is also seeking to mediate between lay ethics and the discourse of professional ethicists, recognizing the fragmented character of both. We draw on theoretical constructs in current STS research, notably, those dealing with complex relations between communities, real or imagined, and the rise of new publics whose voices can be distilled and heard through mediating channels. This experimental methodology forms the central component of an ongoing European Union FP7-funded project, TECHNOLIFE.
KW - Communities
KW - ELSi
KW - Emerging technologies
KW - Ethical frameworks
KW - Experimentality
KW - Governance
KW - Imaginaries
KW - Publics
KW - Public engagement
KW - STS
U2 - 10.1504/IJSD.2013.053789
DO - 10.1504/IJSD.2013.053789
M3 - Special issue
VL - 16
SP - 23
EP - 45
JO - International Journal of Sustainable Development
JF - International Journal of Sustainable Development
SN - 0960-1406
IS - 1-2
ER -