Technology and Society - Chapter 4 - Engineering Ethics Course

Summary

This chapter explores the ethical interaction between engineers and technology, emphasizing how society and technology influence each other. It delves into theories like technological determinism, optimism, and pessimism, discussing their impacts on ethical development. The importance of privacy and intellectual property protection is also highlighted. The chapter ends with a case study on the Therac-25, a cancer treatment machine that caused deaths due to insufficient testing. The video encourages engineers to balance technological benefits and harms, ensuring societal progress through ethical development practices.

Takeaways

• 😀 Technology and society are interconnected in a continuous feedback loop, where each shapes and influences the other.
• 😀 Technological determinism is the idea that technology evolves independently and humans cannot control its growth. This theory has been disproven.
• 😀 Technological optimism believes that new technologies bring more good than harm, and should be embraced regardless of potential side effects.
• 😀 Technological pessimism emphasizes avoiding harm, and any technology that causes harm, no matter the benefit, is to be dismissed.
• 😀 A critical attitude towards technology involves recognizing both its positive and negative aspects, and responsibly managing its risks and benefits.
• 😀 Engineers have a duty to ensure society reaps the benefits of technology while minimizing harm through transparency and protective technologies.
• 😀 Privacy is a fundamental ethical issue in technology development, requiring the protection of individuals' personal information.
• 😀 Intellectual property includes patents, trademarks, and copyrights, which protect innovations and creative works from unauthorized use.
• 😀 Patents provide a 20-year exclusive right to use an invention, preventing others from exploiting the same idea without permission.
• 😀 Trademarks protect words, phrases, slogans, and symbols that are tied to goods or services, ensuring brand identity is not exploited.
• 😀 Copyrights safeguard creative works such as books, films, and art, ensuring the creators' rights over their intellectual labor.
• 😀 The Therac-25 incident illustrates the dangers of insufficient testing in technology, highlighting the need for thorough safety measures before deployment.

Q & A

What is technological determinism, and how does it impact society's ability to control technology?

Technological determinism is the belief that technology grows independently, driven by its own logic, without human control. This theory suggests that all technologies that can be developed will be developed, regardless of human intervention. As a result, it implies that humans have no control over technological development, and no ethical guidelines can be developed for it.

Why was technological determinism ultimately proven to be incorrect?

Technological determinism was proven to be incorrect because humans do have the ability to influence and control technological development. Social, cultural, and ethical factors all play a significant role in shaping technology's growth, proving that it is not an uncontrollable force.

What is technological optimism, and how does it view the impact of new technology?

Technological optimism is the belief that all technologies have more positive than negative effects. Advocates of this view welcome new technologies with open arms, assuming that their benefits outweigh any side effects or potential harms.

What is the primary criticism of technological optimism?

The primary criticism of technological optimism is that it minimizes the potential harms of technology. Critics argue that even if technology brings some good, any harm caused should not be accepted, and technologies that cause harm should be scrutinized or discarded.

What does technological pessimism argue about the risks of technology?

Technological pessimism emphasizes that technology poses risks to personal freedom and meaningful human life. It prioritizes the avoidance of harm, arguing that any technology that causes harm should be rejected, even if it offers potential benefits.

How does a critical attitude towards technology differ from optimism and pessimism?

A critical attitude towards technology acknowledges both the positive and negative sides of technological advancements. It encourages engineers to ensure that societies reap the benefits while minimizing or preventing harm through transparent information and protective technologies.

Why is privacy an important consideration in technological development?

Privacy is crucial because it protects an individual's control over their personal information. Technological developments should always respect privacy, especially when they involve sensitive data, as violating privacy can lead to legal and ethical issues.

What is intellectual property, and why is it important?

Intellectual property refers to creations resulting from mental labor, such as inventions, logos, or creative works. It is important because it protects the creator's rights and ensures that they can control the use and distribution of their creations, preventing unauthorized use by others.

What are the three main forms of intellectual property protection?

The three main forms of intellectual property protection are patents (protecting inventions), trademarks (protecting logos, slogans, or brand names), and copyrights (protecting creative works such as books, movies, and music).

What was the case of the Therac-25, and why is it a critical study in engineering ethics?

The Therac-25 was a cancer treatment machine that was not thoroughly tested before its release. The lack of proper testing led to the deaths of six people before the machine was removed from use. This case serves as a critical study in engineering ethics, highlighting the importance of testing and ensuring the safety of technology before its deployment.