Moralizing Technology as an Approach to Ethics of Science and Technology
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School of Philosophy, Renmin University of China
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Published
2023-05-16
Issue Date
2023-05-22
Abstract
The “Moralizing Technology” theory proposed by the Dutch school scholars aims to persuade people to act by morality through designing, using, and promoting technological artifactsThis idea has gained its population in China and abroad but is also confronted by three main kinds of criticism: First, it may overempower engineers, leading to technocracy and depriving people of their freedomSecond, Moralizing Technology mainly examines the effects of individual technological artifacts and fails to address the sensibility of value embedded in technological systemsThird, the moralizing technology approach only considers the value sensitivity of technological artifacts when they are used, failing to examine how it is carried out in manufacturingThe view of reconsideration affirms the role of science and technology in promoting productive forces but remains cautious toward the alienation of science and technologyIt also places science and technology in the context of human liberationThe Marxian reconsideration view of science and technology helps meet previous challenges, deepens our understanding of moralizing technology, and expands its study from individual technological artifacts to technological systems and from consumption to the phase of productionCombining Marxs view with moralizing technology will further our understanding of the value sensitivity of science and technology crucial for ethical governance.