Nanotechnology Challenges: Implications For Philosophy, Ethics And SocietyJoachim Schummer, Davis Baird Nanotechnology is an emerging and rapidly growing field whose dynamics and prospects pose many great challenges not only to scientists and engineers but also to society at large. This volume includes the state-of-the-art philosophical, ethical, and sociological reflection on nanotechnology, written by leading scholars from the humanities and social sciences in North America and Europe. It unravels the philosophical underpinnings of nanotechnology, its metaphysical and epistemological foundations, and its conceptual complexity. It explores the ethical issues of nanotechnology, its impact on human, environmental, and social conditions, and the options for reasonable risk management. It examines the public discourse on nanotechnology and its related visions and provides both lessons from the past and outlooks for the future. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 7 | |
Ethical Issues | 201 |
Societal Issues | 327 |
Biographical Notes on the Contributors | 451 |
Acknowledgments | 459 |
| 461 | |
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Common terms and phrases
analysis argue argument artifacts artificial aspects atoms Bainbridge Binnig biological biotechnology cells chemical chemistry complex concept convergence cultural debate devices discussion Drexler emerging Engines of Creation environmental ethics epistemic Eric Drexler ethical implications ethical issues evolutionary example future genetic grey goo human imagine impact implications of nanotechnology knowledge leitbild machines materials means mechanical molecular assemblers molecules nano nanobots nanomachines nanometer nanoparticles nanoscale nanoscience nanoscience and nanotechnology nanotech nature NBIC nology objects organisms Philosophy physical possible potential Press promises question realized representation RFIDs Richard Smalley risks Roco Rohrer scanning tunneling scanning tunneling microscope Schummer science and technology science fiction Scientific American scientists self-replicating Smalley social societal and ethical societal implications society structures tech technical techniques technological determinism theory tion transhumanists tunneling microscope ture uncertainty understanding University vision visionary Whitesides