Development of Technology, Society and Civilization, Essay Example

Introduction

In the 21st century, the society has become increasingly interlinked that the term “global village” is today used invariably to refer to modern society. In the contemporary world, information technology connects individuals and locations from all kinds of civilization (Tomczak, 2004). Whether in the media, commerce, agriculture or manufacturing, progress of human activity would be unlikely without the development of technology. However, the contributions have not been entirely beneficial as science and technology have also been blamed for the degradation of the global environment, such as global warming, poverty and invention of weapons of mass destruction (Rotman, 2013). This essay examines the ethical issues concerning global climate change, which is blamed on the contemporary technologies. The key assumption is that although technology develops in response to the changing needs of the society, ethical concerns are often neglected, hence endangering the environment.

Concerns Raised

Technology and global warming

The term technology has rigorously changed its meaning, since it was initially employed in Europe in the 17th century. It refers to the application of knowledge on the nature to practical objectives of man’s endeavor. Modern technology is as a result of scientific studies that preceded their creation. The modern-day urban is a clear indication of how the society and technology interact (Burke, 1985). Technological innovations have provided means to engage in trade, wars and advanced forms of production. Because of the development of a more civilized society, human societies have easily adapted to the shifts in the economic conditions, at the expense of emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing of its members.  The common consensus in the scientific world is that technology is a major cause for global climate change (Burke, 1985). This is particularly so since humans living in industrialized world uses technology such as vehicles and computer that require a lot of energy. Since the beginning of the industrial age, societies have relied intensely on technologies that require fossil fuels to operate or to be made. The contemporary activities that define man’s civilization, such as processing and transportation of food, mass production of powering devices or provision of electricity for residential use, burn fossil fuels. Indeed, modern technologies, which began with burning coal in Industrial Revolution, contributed to the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the environment (Tomczak, 2004).

Ethics in technological development and effects on Climate Change

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that relates to moral issues and judgments. It also describes an assessment of human actions. In which case, behaviors are assigned judgments, as being right or wrong (Gardiner at al., 2012). Civilization demands that a society establishes a central institution that is responsible for organizing systems that support coexistence. In the basic sense, it requires establishing an advanced administrative system, so as to put some order into the system. A central aspect of the societal development is that the interaction among many individuals is unlikely without a code of conduct or rules that set out socially acceptable behavior. Hence, establishing the moral code is a natural outcome of societal evolution. This perspective is relevant in managing technological and societal development, since ethics can be used to control some of the societies’ most underlying problems or impediments to progress that are linked to human activities (Gardiner at al., 2012).

Impediments to progress

The exponential rise in the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has created global warming effects that threaten human coexistence, societal development and process of civilization. For instance, it has led to widespread drought and faster spreading of diseases. Additionally, warm climates have increased summertime deaths due to heat stress and heat stroke, both of which have reduced life expectancy. Additionally, the rising sea level due to climate change causes flooding in low-lying areas, with certainly unfavorable consequences for low-lying nations and islands. Floods have impeded economic development and social growth due to the extensive destruction to property and life (Rotman, 2013). A significant point to be noted is that these problems, which result from climatic change, are not purely technological problems that could be solved through a combination of scientific knowledge. Rather, it is about how humans should live ethically and relate to the environment and the rest of the nature (Gardiner at al., 2012).

Challenges to ethical actions

Climate change has been invariably defined as a perfect moral storm since it brings three key challenges to ethical actions in a manner that is mutually reinforcing. The first challenge comes from the fact that climate change is a global phenomenon. For instance, once GHGs are emitted, they may have climate effects anywhere across the globe (Blakemore, 2012).  This is unethical or unfair to places with low emission. The second challenge stems from the fact that the current emission has deeply intergenerational effects. For instance, emissions of carbon dioxide exist in the atmosphere for centuries, which contributes to negative climate impacts through generations. This is unfair for future development of the society – or future generations. The third critical challenge to ethical action is that climate change may raise questions on the moral value of non-human nature and whether humans are obligated to protect non-human animals (Gardiner at al., 2012).

Promises of Resolution

Management Approach to Climatic Change

Since the anthropogenic climate change and its underlying consequences are ethical issues, they can be resolved using a management approach. Management techniques mainly draw from neoclassical economic theory, which are directed towards ensuring behaviour change, through the control of economic incentives that drive technology development through regulations, taxes and subsidies (Koocher & keith-Spiegel, 2012). To this end, global warming can be managed through having a policy change. In the United States, an example is a draft report, called, “Policy Options for Stabilizing Global Climate,” which was developed by Environmental Protection Agency to regulate economic incentives with the aim of managing climate change.

Risk Management and defensive ethics

An ideal means to avert difficult decisions that concern the benefits of technology in developing societies and their detrimental effects is to reduce the chances of ever having to make such decisions in the first place. Hence, a risk management approach to ethics can be applied to present a practical means of avoiding the likely ethical dilemmas. At this stage, the effective risk management would require upholding the tenets of relevant industrial standards, policies and laws, as well as, ethical code of conducts that guide creation of technological innovations, which lessen or do not perpetuate global warming. The key focus would be on self-protection against the risks of climate change (Koocher & keith-Spiegel, 2012).

Conclusions

Although the technology develops in response to the changing needs of the society, ethical concerns are often neglected, hence endangering the environment. The contributions of technological development have been blamed for perpetuating global warming, poverty and invention of weapons of mass destruction. These impediments can, however, be managed.Hence, global warming can be managed through having a policy change that is aligned towards enforcing ethical practices. Additionally, effective risk management should be used to uphold the tenets of relevant industrial standards, policies and laws, as well as, ethical code of conducts that guide creation of technological innovations, which lessen or do not perpetuate global warming.

References

Blakemore, B. (July 22, 2012). Who’s ‘Most to Blame’ for Global Warming? ABC News. Retrieved: <http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/07/whos-most-to-blame-for-global-warming/>

Burke, J., Bergman, J. & Asimov, I. (1985). The Impact of Science on Society. Washington: Scientific and Technical Information Branch

Gardiner, S. & Hartzell-Nichols, L. (2012). Ethics and Global Climate Change. Nature Education Knowledge 3(10), 5

Koocher, G. & keith-Spiegel, P. (2012). “What Should I Do?” – Ethical Risks, Making Decisions, and Taking Action. Retrieved from: <https://www.continuingedcourses.net/active/courses/course050.php>

Rotman, D. (2013). Climate Change: The Moral Choices. MIT Technology Review

Tomczak, M. (2004). Introduction: What is science? What is civilization? Retrieved: <http://www.es.flinders.edu.au/~mattom/science+society/lecture1.html>