“How do our beliefs help us understand the purpose, promise, and perils of technological progress?” by Armineh Noravian
In thinking about this question, on a pragmatic level I would say that Humanist thinking is in agreement with others on many points. I’ll just mention three:
1.Technology is neutral, i.e. it is neither good nor bad, and it is those who use technology that choose it as a tool for good or bad. It’s our intent that’s important. Another way of putting it is that it’s the application that matters.
2.Technological progress is inevitable. We’ve been toolmakers since the beginning of time and we’ve come a long way from sharpening rocks to Ipods or Iphones.
3.The consequences of technological progress are very difficult to predict. It’s difficult to predict how a technology will be used. Global warming is, at least partly, an unintended consequence of technological progress.
So, that’s where our thinking is similar to others. Now let me mention where our thinking might differ.
We Humanists don’t have scriptures to guide us. We don’t think in terms of absolute truths. We like to think that as much as possible we are guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience.
Most Humanists use situational ethics to determine if an action is acceptable. So, we try to be mindful the consequences of our actions.
So, let me just say that as a Humanist, I think that those who fund, promote, develop, and use technologies should all keep in mind that the end goal is to increase the positive impact of technological progress and reduce the negative ones, and deal with the unintended consequences of technological progress in an ethical, reasonable, and honest manner. The biggest unintended consequence of technological progress is global warming, which is something that we need to deal with if we want life on the planet to survive.
There are those who, for ideological reasons, oppose technological progress that promises to reduce human suffering; an example of this was the Bush administration’s position on stem cell research.
I can say that as a Humanist I staunchly disagree with this position.
There are those who, for ideological reasons, preach against the use of technologies that could improve the human condition; an example of this is the pope’s position against the use of birth control or even just condoms in a continent ravaged by AIDS.
I can say that as a Humanist I staunchly disagree with this position too.
I am going to leave you with a line that summarizes my personal attitude; it’s a quote by the famous Humanist, Isaac Asimov, who said: “Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what’s right.”
Filed under: Discussion