Some Ethicists Think That Rather Than Evaluating New Technology as Good

question 20

Multiple Choice

Some ethicists think that rather than evaluating new technology as good or bad, we should evaluate it as a good or bad social experiment to try. Which of the following cases might show problems with treating technology as social experiment?

• A) Stem cell therapy because it involves unethical experimentation
• B) Cell phones because once the experiment begins, it cannot be stopped
• C) Autonomous killer robots because we cannot control the experiment
• D) Truman dropping bombs on Japan because it would never satisfy requirements of ethical experiment but would satisfy criterion for acceptable military action

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Definitions:

Concrete Operations Stage

Piaget’s third stage of cognitive development, in which the school-age child becomes capable of logical thought processes but is not yet capable of abstract thinking.

Logical Thinking

The process of using rational, systematic steps based on sound reasoning to arrive at a conclusion.

Abstract Thinking

The cognitive ability to understand concepts that are not based on physical reality but rather on ideas or qualities.

Pregnant Women

Refers to females who are in the process of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within their uterus.