What is Ethics?

Ethics is a branch of philosophy which seeks to establish and rationally defend a universally valid theory of what is right and wrong, good and bad in general, which can be used as a set of moral principles guiding human action. ‘Right way’ is a value-loaded term. Who will decide what the right way is? Is nanotechnology the ‘right’ technology? Fundamental concepts of ethics, such as fairness, justice, equity, and especially power relations, unite the various issues identified as social and ethical issues in nanotechnology.

Ethics in Nanotechnology

The obvious question related to the ethical concerns apart from whether or not nanotechnology is the right technology is, will all sections in a society have equitable access to the technology? Some see the technology as a means of leveling the playing field to make all people equal. However, history of technology shows that some technologies, instead of bridging the gap, widen the gap between the haves and have-nots within and across cultures. In the case of nanotechnology the claims are different. The advocates of the technology claim that nanotechnology will bring sweeping changes in the lives of human beings for the betterment of the society. And what value-framework forms the basis of the term ‘betterment’?

To know more about the ethics associated with nanotechnology, please refer to the articles, presentations, and links available under “Resources” in this website.

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