KJCKorea
Journal Central

@article{ART002026834},
author={Lee, Wonbong},
title={Nanotechnologies and Possibility of the New Way of Ethics—Beyond the Precautionary Principle—},
journal={Philosophical Investigation},
issn={1598-7213},
year={2015},
volume={39},
pages={201-230},
doi={10.33156/philos.2015.39..007}

TY - JOUR
AU - Lee, Wonbong
TI - Nanotechnologies and Possibility of the New Way of Ethics—Beyond the Precautionary Principle—
JO - Philosophical Investigation
PY - 2015
VL - 39
IS - null
PB - Institute of philosophy in Chung-Ang Univ.
SP - 201
EP - 230
SN - 1598-7213
AB - The precautionary principle which is justifying the ban of technologies, is based on the uncertainty of harms on future generations and natural environments. But now it is facing new challenges with the emergence of new emerging technologies which is combined with nanotechnology. If we take the ‘precautionary principle’ as ethical and legal basis of controlling the direction and speed of the new emerging science and technology such as nanotechnology, there is a need for a new ethical justification beyond the traditional cost-benefit analysis and risk management. Because the uncertainties raised by nanotechnology is not only the uncertainty comes from the temporal gap, but also uncertainties that, through increased human capacity, come from changes of the relationship itself between man and man, man and nature. Therefore, the precautionary principle applied to nanotechnologies, is difficult to be justified by the traditional ethics which is premising the existing human relationships. Hans Jonas’s responsibility principle is to expand the traditional anthropocentric ethics to life-centered ethics, and expand the human responsibility to future generations and the natural ecosystem. This is unlike traditional utilitarianism or deontology which is justifying environmental ethics only on the ground of risk management, and shows the potential to ethically justify the ‘precautionary principle’. But the life-centered ethics of Jonas is also difficult to answer the uncertainties of nanotechnology, because nanotechnology is expecting on a synthesis of life and extreme continuation of human life. In Chapter 1, this paper examines the background the occurrence of the precautionary principle and the relationship between the precautionary principle and risk management. And in Chapter 2, we will discuss the limitations of this principle when applied to the new emerging science and technology, such as nanotechnology. And then in Chapter 3, it tries to point out the significance and limitations of the principle of responsibility of Jonas in justification of the precautionary principle. Through this attempt, we are to explore the need for a new ethical model beyond the limits of the current ethical model.
KW - precautionary principle;cost-benefit analysis;risk management;nanotechnology;the principle of responsibility
DO - 10.33156/philos.2015.39..007
ER -

Lee, Wonbong. (2015). Nanotechnologies and Possibility of the New Way of Ethics—Beyond the Precautionary Principle—. Philosophical Investigation, 39, 201-230.

Lee, Wonbong. 2015, "Nanotechnologies and Possibility of the New Way of Ethics—Beyond the Precautionary Principle—", Philosophical Investigation, vol.39, pp.201-230. Available from: doi:10.33156/philos.2015.39..007

Lee, Wonbong "Nanotechnologies and Possibility of the New Way of Ethics—Beyond the Precautionary Principle—" Philosophical Investigation 39 pp.201-230 (2015) : 201.

Lee, Wonbong. Nanotechnologies and Possibility of the New Way of Ethics—Beyond the Precautionary Principle—. 2015; 39 201-230. Available from: doi:10.33156/philos.2015.39..007

Lee, Wonbong. "Nanotechnologies and Possibility of the New Way of Ethics—Beyond the Precautionary Principle—" Philosophical Investigation 39(2015) : 201-230.doi: 10.33156/philos.2015.39..007

Lee, Wonbong. Nanotechnologies and Possibility of the New Way of Ethics—Beyond the Precautionary Principle—. Philosophical Investigation, 39, 201-230. doi: 10.33156/philos.2015.39..007

Lee, Wonbong. Nanotechnologies and Possibility of the New Way of Ethics—Beyond the Precautionary Principle—. Philosophical Investigation. 2015; 39 201-230. doi: 10.33156/philos.2015.39..007

Lee, Wonbong. Nanotechnologies and Possibility of the New Way of Ethics—Beyond the Precautionary Principle—. 2015; 39 201-230. Available from: doi:10.33156/philos.2015.39..007

Lee, Wonbong. "Nanotechnologies and Possibility of the New Way of Ethics—Beyond the Precautionary Principle—" Philosophical Investigation 39(2015) : 201-230.doi: 10.33156/philos.2015.39..007