Technology And Values

Technology and Values provides a highly useful collection of essays organized around issues related to science, technology, public health, economics, the environment, and ethical theory. The editors present effective introductions that provide background information as well as philosophical tools and case studies to facilitate understanding of the variety of issues emanating from the most significant developments in technology, including the effects on privacy of the widespread use of computers to store and retrieve personal information and the ethical considerations of genetic engineering.

Technology and Values provides a highly useful collection of essays organized around issues related to science, technology, public health, economics, the environment, and ethical theory. The editors present effective introductions that provide background information as well as philosophical tools and case studies to facilitate understanding of the variety of issues emanating from the most significant developments in technology.

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Some 25 contributions are divided into four sections covering introductory theoretical approaches to technology; alternative views of technology from Heidegger to the social construction of safety; how to evaluate technology, encompassing such issues as the problem of Frankenstein and economic evaluations of technology; and case studies about technology, from the problems raised by computers to radioactive waste. The text aims to provide the student with diverse and divergent perspectives on technological issues. Each chapter provides several study questions. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Kristin Shrader-Frechette is distinguished research professor in philosophy and in environmental sciences and policy at the University of South Florida. She holds degrees in mathematics, physics, and philosophy. She is the author of numerous books, including Ethics of Scientific Research (Rowman & Littlefield, 1994). Laura Westra is professor emerita of philosophy at the University of Windsor and the author or editor of numerous books, including An Environmental Proposal for Ethics (Rowman & Littlefield, 1994), Faces of Environmental Racism (Rowman & Littlefield, 1995), Perspectives on Ecological Integrity (Kluwer), The Greeks and the Environment (Rowman & Littlefield, 1997) and Technology and Values (Rowman & Littlefield, 1998). Bill Lawson is professor of philosophy at Michigan State University.