Technological Innovations and Allied Ethical Trepidations

Abstract

Advancements in technology usually do not raise ethical or moral issues. Instead it is the application of these developments which raises some ethical questions; from the perspective of history, almost any use of a product of technological innovation can be made into a moral issue. Although the development of science and technology has a lot of advantages especially in the present context of knowledge-based technology, the questions of moral values and ethics are essential. Regardless of how well intended innovation and development of new technology have an ethical dimension. There is therefore, an increasing need for emphasis on the teaching of values, moral and ethics in institutions of higher learning alongside technical subjects. This paper examines the ethical implications in three broad thematic areas namely; information communication technology and the Internet, climate change and global warming and agricultural biotechnology. The paper therefore is an attempt to explore ways of minimizing the negative and adverse impact of science and technological advancement through ethical education in Kenya’s institutions. The paper is hinged on the concept of humanism in ethical philosophy which elevates the individual to the global level to preserve the environment and all therein. Ethical philosophy avoids possibilities for biological or nuclear conflicts, alleviates poverty, and faces the challenge of extremism, terrorism and intolerance. In other words, science and technological education should be guided by the humanism philosophy which is concerned with an ethical life. It emphasizes that human worthiness should be valued and technological innovations should be utilized while enhancing the dignity associated with the human person thus making novelty and scientific discoveries of greater value to humanity.