Abstract
The problem of dual-use science research and technology arises because such research and technology has the potential to be used for great evil as well as for great good. On the one hand, knowledge is a necessary condition, and perhaps a constitutive feature, of technologies that contribute greatly to individual and collective well-being. Consider, for example, nuclear technology that enables the generation of low cost electricity in populations without obvious alternative energy sources. So technological knowledge is a good thing and ignorance of it a bad thing. On the other hand, these same technologies can be extremely harmful to individuals and collectives. Consider, for example, the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki . So it seems that, at least with respect to some technologies, knowledge is a bad thing and ignorance a good thing. Accordingly, the question arises as to whether we ought to limit scientific research and/or the development of technology and, if so, which research or technology, in what manner and to what extent.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Meier, Oliver, and Iris Hunger. 2014. Between Control and Cooperation: Dual-use, Technology Transfers and the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Osnabruck: DSF.
Miller, Seumas, and Michael Selgelid. 2007. Ethical and Philosophical Consideration of the Dual Use Dilemma in the Biological Sciences. Science and Engineering Ethics 13: 523–580.
Rappert, Brian, and Michael Selgelid (eds.). 2013. On the Dual Uses of Science and Ethics: Principles, Practices and Prospects. Canberra: ANU Press.
Tucker, J.B. (ed.). 2012. Innovation, Dual Use, and Security: Managing the Risks of Emerging Biological and Chemical Technologies. Harvard: MIT Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Miller, S. (2018). Introduction. In: Dual Use Science and Technology, Ethics and Weapons of Mass Destruction. SpringerBriefs in Ethics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92606-3_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92606-3_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-92605-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-92606-3
eBook Packages: Religion and PhilosophyPhilosophy and Religion (R0)