- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
(in Polish) Ethics of new technologies 3501-ENT20-S-OG
The seminar is designed to acknowledge students with ethical problems concerning the contemporary development of technology and its impact on biology and medicine. The programme will divide into two blocks: more general one (with stress put on philosophical and methodological problems) and more specific one. General ethical problems deal with relationship between technology and normative sphere, responsibility and its scope in relationship to instrumental thinking and technical activity as well as attitudes taken nowadays towards technology (either enthusiastic or sceptical). Specific problems deal with ways technology is involved into moral and social human life in context of biology and medicine, but not exclusively. They include: privacy, professional responsibilities in technical professions, computer ethics, nanoethics, neuroethics, roboethics, autonomous technology (including military use), technology in cosmos (terraforming) and transhumanism. Besides of gaining knowledge, students should develop their argumentative skills in respective subjects and appreciate the role of technology in contemporary world as well as its manifold impact on individual and social life of humans.
Type of course
general courses
Mode
Learning outcomes
After finishing the course student:
- has knowledge and understanding of concepts applied in contemporary discussions dealing with new technologies in biology and medicine
- is acquainted with the main ethical questions and problems stemming from the development of new technologies in biology and medicine, particularly: nanotechnology, neurotechnology, synthetic biology, robotics and information-communication technologies
- has knowledge of main philosophical and normative approaches and arguments used in contemporary discussions concerning new technologies in biology and medicine
- thoroughly appreciates the role of ethics in the development of new technologies in biology and medicine
- appreciates the importance of sociocultural, legal, political and economic factors in the development of new technologies in biology and medicine
- analyses texts and arguments dealing with the topic of the seminar including those of other students
- identifies, interprets and analyses problems and moral dilemmas related to new technologies in biology and medicine
- formulates sound argumentation, both factual and normative, and is able to defend his or her point of view
- prepares presentations on the subject
- prepares written analyses of texts on the subject
- prepares case or problem analyses on the subject and formulates as well as reasonably justifies recommendations or opinions dealing with a given case study, using general knowledge
- appreciates the importance and value of discussions for the development of knowledge and solving of moral dilemmas dealing with new technologies in biology and medicine
- has ability to cooperate in a group
- takes and initiates research activities, is able to plan and organise their course
- is reliable, considerate and engaged in planning and carrying out research activities
- finds and identifies moral problems related to research activities and related to ethics of new technologies in biology and medicine
- values importance of ethical reflection as regards the development of new technologies in biology and medicine
- is interested in new moral debates and disputes regarding new technologies in biology and medicine
Assessment criteria
Active participation in the seminar (Akt), oral speech – introduction to reading (Ref), Essay – case study on moral aspects of new technologies (E)
Impact on final grade:
Akt – 50 % (including groupwork 10 %)
Ref – 25 %
E – 25 %
Permissible number of absences: 3
Bibliography
Neil Postman, “Technopoly”, ch. 2 i 3.
Hans Jonas, „Technology as a Subject for Ethics”, “Social Research” Vol. 49, No. 4 (Winter 1982), pp. 891-898.
Hans Jonas, “Principle of responsibility”, ch. 1
Michael Davies, “Thinking Like an Engineer: Studies in the Ethics of a Profession”, ch. 4, „Code of Ethics and the Challenger”
J. Angelo Corlett, „The Nature and Value of the Moral Right to Privacy”, “Public Affairs Quarterly”, Vol. 16, No. 4 (Oct., 2002), pp. 329-350
Charles Nesson, „Threats to Privacy”, “Social Research”, Vol. 68, No. 1 (Spring 2001)
Anita L. Allen, „Privacy”, in: “The Oxford Handbook of Practical Ethics”, ed. H. LaFollette, part 4
Walter Maner „Is Computer Ethics Unique?”
F. Kraemer, K. van Overveld, M. Peterson, „Is there an ethics of algorithms?”
Neil M. Richards, Jonathan H. King, “Big Data Ethics”, “Wake Forest Law Review”, 2014, Vol. 49, pp. 393-432
Patrick Lin, Fritz Allhoff, “Nanoscience and Nanoethics: Defining the Disciplines”
James Moor, John Weckert, “Nanoethics: Assessing the Nanoscale from an Ethical Point of View”
M. Williamson, “Space ethics and protection of the space environment”, “Space Policy” 19 (2003).
Peter M. Asaro: „What Should We Want from a Robot Ethic?”
John P. Sullins: „When Is a Robot a Moral Agent?”
Jean-François Bonnefon, Azim Shariff, and Iyad Rahwan, “The social dilemma of autonomous vehicles” “Science” 2016
Maria Radziejowska, „Remote and Autonomous: From Dro¬nes to 'Killer Robots'”, Strategic Life, No. 24 (60), October 2014
Bradley Jay Strawser, “Moral Predators: The Duty to Employ Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles”
George R . Lucas Jr . “Engineering, Ethics, and Industry: The Moral Challenges of Lethal Autonomy”, w: Bradley Jay Strawser (red.) “Killing by Remote Control. The Ethics of an Unmanned Military”
Martha J. Farah „Emerging Ethical Issues in Neuroscience”
Françoise Baylis, „'I Am Who I Am': On the Perceived Threats to Personal Identity from Deep Brain Stimulation”
Nick Bostrom, „Transhumanist Ethics”, http://www.nickbostrom.com/ethics/transhumanist.pdf
Additional information
Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:
- Inter-faculty Studies in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Computer Science
- Bachelor's degree, first cycle programme, Mathematics
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Computer Science
- Master's degree, second cycle programme, Mathematics
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: