No one really knows where nanotechnology is leading, what its pursuit will mean, and how it may affect human and other forms of life. Nevertheless, its research and development are moving briskly into that unknown. It has been suggested that rapid movement towards 'who knows where' is endemic to all technological development; that its researchers pursue it for curiosity and enjoyment, without knowing the consequences, believing that their efforts will be beneficial. Further, that the enthusiasm for development comes with no malicious intent but rather from simple ignorance. Contrary to that commonly held perception about the collective pursuit of technological development, there are individual research scientists and engineers who are quite willing to reflect on the meaning of their work in nanotechnology. Nanotalk is a book of conversations and explorations with thirty five such nano-research scientists and engineers who share their ideas, experiences, perceptions, and beliefs about their work, humanity, nature, change, and the future of the world with nanotechnology. Precisely because of the unknowable nature of nanotechnology research and development, conscientious foresight and ethical reflection are warranted every step of the way. Not only do nanotechnology research and development represent enormous financial commitments, but they also require a profound leap of faith regarding its possible outcomes. Using these conversations as the basis of reflection and deliberation, the author explores the possible significance of nanotechnology to humanity and how it might be pursued conscientiously and ethically.
Author(s): Rosalyn W. Berne
Edition: 1
Publisher: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
Year: 2005
Language: English
Pages: 378
Book Cover......Page 1
Title......Page 4
Copyright......Page 5
Contents......Page 8
Foreword......Page 12
Preface......Page 14
Russell......Page 18
Introduction: Narrative and the Voices of Research Scientists and Engineers......Page 34
PART I ETHICS......Page 56
CHAPTER ONE The Nanotechnology “Revolution”......Page 58
CHAPTER TWO Three Dimensions of Nanoethics......Page 91
PART II MEANING......Page 126
CHAPTER THREE Conceptual Frameworks, Themes, and Values......Page 128
CHAPTER FOUR Meaning Making......Page 177
PART III BELIEF......Page 216
CHAPTER FIVE New Knowledge and Nature......Page 218
CHAPTER SIX Imagination, Metaphor, and Science Fiction......Page 261
CHAPTER SEVEN Noble Revisited......Page 284
CHAPTER EIGHT Conscientious Moral Commitments......Page 326
APPENDIX A Methodology and Preliminary Research Findings......Page 343
APPENDIX B History of the Nanotechnology Initiative in the United States......Page 354
APPENDIX C Interview Protocol......Page 356
APPENDIX D 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act......Page 359
References......Page 362
Author Index......Page 368
Subject Index......Page 370
