Technological Ethics

Course title

S2431000

Course description

In this course we think over the fundamental problems of modern technology. By understanding philosophically the essence of technology and human being, we examine the basic cause of ethical problems that the modern technology brings to the human society or nature, and consider the course of direction of their solution.

Purpose of class

The purpose of this class is to acquire the capacity of judging ethically how to use some technologies by understanding the essence of technology and human being.

Goals and objectives

	Goals and objectives	Course Outcomes
1.	Understand the mechanistic point of view on nature on which modern sciences and technologies are based. By comparing it with the teleological point of view on nature, think over the utility and limit of the mechanistic point of view whose vision people today mistake for true without reflecting.
2.	Recognize the fundamental difference between technology and human being(life, personality) by understanding the essence of both. Based on the recognition, think over the problems in case of applying technology to human being or society.
3.	Understand the influences technology has on human society or nature, paying attention to the relation between technology and society or nature. Consider the responsibility of human being for the use of technology on the basis of the understanding.

Language

Japanese

Class schedule

	Class schedule	HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.)	Amount of Time Required
1.	Why is the technological ethics necessary?	Know the issues of the technological ethics.	150分
2.	Plato's point of view on arts.	Read the materials and grasp their points.	150分
3.	Aristotle's point of view on arts.	Read the materials and grasp their points.	150分
4.	Scientific Revolution in 17 century.	Read the materials and grasp their points.	150分
5.	Mechanistic point of view on nature.	Read the materials and grasp their points.	150分
6.	Technology and Life part 1 Science and Life	Read the materials and grasp their points.	150分
7.	Mid-term examination Technology and Life part 2 Gene Manipulation, Reprogramming of cells, Brain-Machine Interface	Review the lecture 1-6.	360分
7.		Read the materials and grasp their points.	150分
8.	Technology and society part 1. Determinism by technology and Social Constructionism.	Read the materials and grasp their points.	150分
9.	Technology and society part 2. Politics of technology, Universal Design, etc.	Read the materials and grasp their points.	150分
10.	Technology and Human Being part.1. Human Alienation.	Read the materials and grasp their points.	150分
11.	Technology and Human Being part.2. Vulnerability as essense of human being.	Read the materials and grasp their points.	150分
12.	Technology and Nature part 1. Land Ethics.	Read the materials and grasp their points.	150分
13.	Technology and Nature part 2. Limitedness of our Planet and Sustainability.	Read the materials and grasp their points.	150分
14.	Final examination Responsibility of human being for technology.	Review the lecture 7-13.	360分
14.		Read the materials and grasp their points.	150分
Total.	-	-	2820分

Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

	Mid-term examination	Final examination	Report or Small examination	Total.
1.	25%	0%	5%	30%
2.	10%	20%	5%	35%
3.	5%	20%	10%	35%
Total.	40%	40%	20%	-

Evaluation method and criteria

Your final grade will be calcuated according to the following process:
Mid-term examination(40%), final examination (40%) and Report or Small examination(20％).
Passing grade is more than 60.
Attendance more than two-thirds is compulsory.

Textbooks and reference materials

Materials are distributed at each class.

Prerequisites

Nothing in particular.

Office hours and How to contact professors for questions