IB20111237 NANOTECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

Abstract

It seems that the relation between human and nature is not direct, but mediated by the technology. Therefore, it seems that characteristics of the technology defines the relation. If this is true, the problem is whether new technology always makes new relation or not. In this paper, I take a brief look at the relation between technology in general and the environmental crisis from the ethical perspective. And then, I investigate the concept of responsible development and the principle of stewardship that is adopted in two reports concerning nanotechnologies. Through these explorations, an ethical stance on the application of nanotechnology is proposed.

Key-words:

Nanotechnology, Science, Technology, Environment, Risks and benefits, Responsibility, Japan.