Ethics in Problem Solving
Technology vs. Science
• What is the difference between science and
technology?
• Why are they separated?
• What are the impacts of technology
compared to the impacts of science?
• Can technology survive without science?
• Can science survive without technology?
Four areas where technology
effects people!
Technology includes
impacts on yourself
and others.
Technology is a
decision process and
not just using tools.
Technology is
cultural.
Technology deals with
resource allocation.
Technology includes impacts on yourself and others.
• Main reason that ethics and technology
must co-exist.
• Agriculture – Population growth – Laws
and codes – environmental problems.
• Other ways?
Technology is a decision process and not just using
tools.
• More than tools – it’s a decision process.
• Technology is about solving problems that
nature and our human bodies won’t.
• Population increase – need to record time –
time keeping device – water clocks, shadow
cross bars, sand glasses, etc.
Technology is cultural.
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Technology emerges as a cultural basis.
Increases standard of living.
Hand in hand with ethics of the culture.
Automobile in the US.
Technology deals with resource allocation.
• Technology uses resources!
• Appropriate technology.
• Printing Press – Wow!
Technology and Problem Solving
Several centuries ago, a curious but deadly plague appeared in a small village in
Lithuania. What was curious about this disease was its grip on its victim; as
soon as a person contracted it, he or she would go into a very deep almost
deathlike coma. Most individuals would die within twenty-four hours, but
occasionally a hardy soul would make it back to the full bloom of health. The
problem was that since early eighteenth century medical technology was not
very advanced, the unaffected had quite a difficult time telling whether a victim
was dead or alive. This didn't matter too much, though, because most of the
people were, in fact, dead.
Then one day it was discovered that someone had been buried alive. This alarmed
the townspeople, so they called a town meeting to decide what should be done
to prevent such a situation from happening again. After much discussion, most
people agreed on the following solution. They decided to put food and water in
every casket next to the body. They would even put an air hole up from the
casket to the earth's surface. These procedures would be expensive, but they
would be more than worthwhile if they would save some people's lives.
Another group came up with a second, less expensive, right answer. They
proposed implanting a twelve inch long stake in every coffin lid directly over
where the victim's heart would be. Then whatever doubts there were about
whether the person was dead or alive would be eliminated as soon as the
coffin lid was closed.
Problem solving?
• What differentiated the two solutions were
the questions used to find them.
– First group: “What should we do in the event
we bury someone alive?”
– Second group: “How can we make sure
everyone we bury is dead?”
Innovation Tips
• Always look for a second right answer.
• The answers you get from a problem
depends on the questions you ask.
• Let your creativity flow.
Ethics in Problem Solving
• Which of the two decisions, made by the
villagers, is the most ethical one?
• How should moral and ethical judgments fit
into the villagers decisions?
Read your mind?
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Pick a number between 1 and 9;
Subtract 5;
Multiply by 3;
Square the number (multiply by the same number);
Add the digits until you get a single digit (for
example, say your number was 64: 64 = 6 + 4 = 10
= 1 + 0 = 1);
• If the number is less than 5, add 5; otherwise
subtract 4;
• Multiply by 2;
• Subtract 6;
Read your mind?
• Relate the number you now have with a letter
in the alphabet where 1 = A, 2 = B, 3 = C and
so on;
• Pick the name of a country that begins with
that letter;
• Use the second letter of the country and think
of an animal that begins with that letter;
• Think of the color of the animal.
• Grey Elephant from Denmark!
Self tests for problem solving
• Role exchange test – “shoe was on the other
foot”
• Universal consequences test – “what if
everyone did this”
• New cases test – “any other situations that
are similar to this”
• Subsumption test – “is this morally/ethically
acceptable”
Technology and Problem Solving
Resolution
Principles
– Ends-based
• Consequences /
outcomes
– Rule-based
• Principles
• Duties / rights
– Care-based
• Compassion
• mercy
– Role-based
• Profession
• virtues
How to solve problems
ethically
- Get the facts
- Identify the ethics involved
- Prioritize the ethical issues
- Apply “resolution princ.”
- Recommendation
- Preventative ethics
Sub-Arctic Survival Simulation
(TCS # 10, 12 & 13)