Visions and ethics
Visions shape communication about science and technology in the media, but also play a quite significant role in the discourses of science and politics. Far-reaching promises are made, whether it is about curing major diseases, solving environmental problems, or achieving the global sustainability goals (Sustainable Development Goals). But horror scenarios such as the downfall of mankind in a climate catastrophe or through the takeover by algorithms are also hotly debated by society. These narratives about possible desired or feared futures and their ethical dimensions have an impact on our thinking, on political decisions, and on the course of science, which we must become aware of.
At ITAS, we explore the role of technology visions, analyze their preconditions and background, and subject them to ethical reflection. Examples are 3D printing, the importance of simulations and models, the possibility of a global and intercultural agreement on technical and socio-technical visions and the ethical questions they raise.
Vision Assessment
What relevance do technology visions have for science, technological development, and social transformation? Using the method of vision assessment developed at the Institute, researchers investigate this question and explore the effectiveness of socio-technical visions. Following studies on topics such as in-vitro meat and microalgae, the current focus is on visions of digitalization (e.g., future working environments, openness, 3D printing). In the project on futures of 3D printing, visions are developed in collaboration with researchers and the broader public.
Global ethics in science, technology, and innovation
The growing importance of global society should not detract from its diversity. Global ethics therefore calls for the recognition of different public perceptions and social norms in the global debate on science, technology, and innovation. To this end, researchers use a methodological approach developed at ITAS (GEST) to investigate how value systems in society influence ethical debates in the public and academic domains. The results serve as the basis for policy advice.
Experts
Ethics of technology: Prof. Dr. Dr. Rafaela Hillerbrand
Global ethics in science, technology, and innovation: Dr. Miltos Ladikas
Vision Assessment: PD Dr. Andreas Lösch
Publications on the topic
Materialities and temporalities in STS.
2020. Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis, 29 (3), 83–84. doi:10.14512/tatup.29.3.83
2000 Revisited - Visionen der Welt von morgen im Gestern und Heute.
2020. KIT Scientific Publishing. doi:10.5445/KSP/1000117728
The Politics of Techno-Futures [Editorial].
2020. Behemoth, 13 (1), 1–6. doi:10.6094/behemoth.2020.13.1.1031
Futures of Digital Industry: Techno-Managerial or Techno-Political Utopia?.
2020. Behemoth, 13 (1), 98–108. doi:10.6094/behemoth.2020.13.1.1039
Clash of Visions. Analysing Practices of Politicizing the Future.
2020. Behemoth, 13 (1), 83–97. doi:10.6094/behemoth.2020.13.1.1038
TechnoScienceSociety : Technological Reconfigurations of Science and Society.
2020. Springer Nature. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-43965-1
Vision as make-believe: how narratives and models represent sociotechnical futures.
2020. Journal of responsible innovation, 1–24. doi:10.1080/23299460.2020.1853395
Vergangenen und gegenwärtigen Zukünften auf der Spur. Eine Einleitung.
2020. 2000 Revisited - Visionen der Welt von morgen im Gestern und Heute. Hrsg.: P. Dobroć, 3–39, KIT Scientific Publishing
Upgrades der Natur, künftige Körper : Interdisziplinäre und internationale Perspektiven.
2020. Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden. doi:10.1007/978-3-658-31597-9
Einleitung.
2020. Upgrades der Natur, künftige Körper. Hrsg.: M. Şahinol, V-XVII, Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
An Unfolding TechKnowledgy: Technology and Knowledge in Open Digital Fabrication.
2020. TechnoScienceSociety. Hrsg.: S. Maasen, 291–306, Springer Nature
Sociotechnical Visions of 3D Printing – After the First Hype? Report of the Vision Assessment Study in the Cluster of Excellence 3D Matter Made to Order.
2020. Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT). doi:10.5445/IR/1000117984/v2
Socio-Technical Futures Shaping the Present : Empirical Examples and Analytical Challenges.
2019. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften
Visionary Practices Shaping Power Constellations.
2019. Socio-Technical Futures Shaping the Present : Empirical Examples and Analytical Challenges. Ed.: A. Lösch, 67–88, VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. doi:10.1007/978-3-658-27155-8_4
Visions in assemblages: Future-making and governance in FabLabs.
2019. Futures, 109, 203–212. doi:10.1016/j.futures.2018.08.003
Institutionalizing ethical debates in science, technology and innovation policy: A comparison of Europe, India and China.
2015. Science and Technology Governance and Ethics : A Global Perspective from Europe, India and China. Hrsg.: M. Ladikas, 9–23, Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-14693-5_2
New food technologies in Europe, India and China.
2015. Science and Technology Governance and Ethics : A Global Perspective from Europe, India and China. Hrsg.: M. Ladikas, 111–124, Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-14693-5_9
Discourses on nanotechnology in Europe, China and India.
2015. Science and Technology Governance and Ethics : A Global Perspective from Europe, India and China. Hrsg.: M. Ladikas, 125–144, Springer
Introduction: Embedding ethics in science and technology policy : A global perspective.
2015. Science and Technology Governance and Ethics : A Global Perspective from Europe, India and China. Hrsg.: M. Ladikas, 1–8, Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-14693-5_1
Science and technology governance and ethics : A global perspective from Europe, India and China.
2015. Cham [u.a.] : Springer, 2015