Ted Kacinski's Argument On Unintended Consequences

918 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Arguments for and against genetic engineering

Unit 3 Essay Assignment
It is not immoral to develop GNR technologies even with the risks
Anthony Beaster
A sufficient number of the arguments against GNR (genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and robotics) technologies rest on unintended consequence theory, morality, and ethics. Ignoring the first for now, morality is the manifestation of the overall belief of what is good or right by the majority at some instance in time and ethics are the rules based upon the present morals. Considering these both change as times change, this leaves the discussion ultimately to unintended consequences.
Joy’s argument cites the Unabomber, Ted Kaczinski. According to Joy, the principal facet of Kacinski’s argument is unintended consequences, which is “a …show more content…

However, his argument is fatally flawed since, as he levies his opinion that unintended consequences result from our actions, therefore the action abandon future tech will result in the intended consequences. In Joys’ case, his position, or any position, undermines any course of action. Simply, unintended consequences cannot guide choices and definitively provides no support to relinquish support for GNR technologies. The premise that the future is unknown as are the consequences shows that future technology may very well lead to a more utopian …show more content…

To not do so would be immoral rather, making us culpable for untold preventable suffering and death. In addition, for a God to bestow us with intelligence but then wish for us to not use it or restrict it is not intelligent. As for nanotechnology, Joy eloquently writes of how “engines of creation” may transform into “engines of destruction, but again it is hard to see why we or the Gods prefer that we remain ignorant about

Show More
Related

  • David Tabachnick's The Great Reversal

    813 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rules and catalysts have become ubiquitous, diminishing or even eradicating opportunities for the exercise of discretion, which is fundamental to the advancement of good judgment as well as personal satisfaction. Modern philosophy and culture has shifted away from phronesis, practical judgment, in favor of techne, technical rationality. The fundamental threat that technology imposes on us is linked to our inability to think and act “outside the box.” David Tabachnick, a professor in the department of Political Science, Philosophy and Economics at Nipissing University, attempts to find and enforce limits on technology in his book, The Great Reversal, by exploring “the possibility of the return of good judgment to limit the role of technology

    Read More

  • The Case Against Perfection by Michael Sandel

    972 Words  | 2 Pages

    The ethics behind genetic engineering have been discussed and argued for years now. Some arguing points often include competitive advantages, playing God, and the polarization of society, but Sandel takes a different approach in explaining society’s “unease” with the morality of genetic engineering. Broadcasted through several examples throughout the book, Sandel explains that genetic engineering is immoral because it takes away what makes us human and makes us something else. He states that by taking control of our genetic makeup, or the makeup of our progeny, we lose our human dignity and humility. Our hunger for control will lead to the loss of appreciation for natural gifts, whether they are certain talents, inherited from the genetic lottery, or the gift of life itself.

    Read More

  • Critical Analysis: It Always Costs By David Suzuki

    1006 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the text “It Always Costs”, author David Suzuki firmly defends his opinion on the detrimental effects of technology in today’s and age. Throughout his text, Suzuki continuously endorses the idea that technologies have far greater negative impacts than positive and are hardly worth the risk. He explains that these new technological innovations are assuredly unpredictable, reaching a point of somewhat unreliability. The author points out in his text that as humans, we do not have the capacities to foresee these fluctuations, for our knowledge in scientific innovation, is relatively limited. As such, he proposes that we, as citizens, must make a conscious effort to become more informed and aware of these new technologies sprouting in our

    Read More

  • The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks, And De-Extinction

    910 Words  | 2 Pages

    Technology is supposed to be seen as such an advancement and great accomplishment. What others may not always know is sometimes it isn’t all fun and games, it could be dangerous. As seen when we created the atomic bomb and guns, their only purpose is to destroy and cause pain to others. Although they are not always in use they are a constant threat to our well being. We need to take into consideration the positives and the negatives of the technology we create now in present day. Many people change their position on this overarching question: What responsibility do people have when developing new technology? In the texts “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, “the Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot, and “De-Extinction” answers the questions that it may impose. Each of these texts share one same belief: Society holds

    Read More

  • The Debate Concerning Embryonic Stem Cell Research

    1400 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ns of a morally questionable nature. It is necessary that our practices remain ethical and that we uphold the value of a human life, as this is the cornerstone of human society. Embryonic stem cell research is one such operation that forces scientists, policy makers, and the larger society to define what constitutes a human life and to find an answer to the crucial question: Is it morally acceptable to violate the rights of a human life for the for the sake of medical progress?

    Read More

  • Galvanism In Frankenstein

    1203 Words  | 3 Pages

    There is always change In the world that either changes the world in a good way or may go bad. When it comes to technology it is always the creator that makes technology good or bad. In the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the main character Victor Frankenstein creates a creature using galvanism, but as soon as he completes his life long dream he sees how horrid the creature is and abandons it to live and face the outside world alone. This causes the creature to become Victors worst nightmare. It was Victors actions that caused the chaos, because of his misusage of science and actions.

    Read More

  • Morality In Michael Sandel's The Case Against Perfection

    744 Words  | 2 Pages

    With a consequentialist tone of approach, he describes human society having an imbalance between two ideals: the acceptance of oneself as a gift and the strive for perfection. The usage of technology for enhancement purposes pushes us away from the first and more towards the latter. Bioethics’ main principle revolves around the concept of morality, defined by beliefs regarding actions that are often split between being right or wrong in interpretation and character (Vaughn). Sandel upholds to this stance, confronting it with our own ideology that through the pronouncement of terms of biotechnology, we seem to accept more than reject what is brought up in the culture of society, this type of thinking reaffirming our current beliefs of the nature of controversial

    Read More

  • Small Change By Malcolm Gladwell Analysis

    1567 Words  | 4 Pages

    He is concerned that humans will lose their individuality and lose who they are. He also fears that humans will lose the ability to think deeper than the surface. Technology has a huge impact on the human race according to Gladwell and Carr; they argue that technology is supposed to be a positive thing to this generation, and even the future, but technology is actually impacting us in a negative way. We have lost so many things due to the advancements in technology that we have made over the years. These losses include the ability to use technology efficiently and the loss of human connection. They also provide recommendations about what they think their peers can do to fix this mess they believe in.

    Read More

  • Reporting Live From Tomorrow By Daniel Gilbert Summary

    1150 Words  | 3 Pages

    Finally, he realizes technology makes people lose the ability to create happiness. As a result, although technology helps people make better decisions and improves their living conditions, it makes people lose the creativity and imagination to achieve happiness.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Jonathan Franzen's 'Liking Is For Cowards'

    596 Words  | 2 Pages

    My only contention with the author’s point of view is that technology is not the only culprit. The only thing we can truly blame technology for is enhancing our true

    Read More

  • Huxley's Brave New World

    1211 Words  | 3 Pages

    Today, in 21st century United States, people are concerned with the fast pace of new and growing technology, and how these advances should be used. In the last decade alone we have seen major advancements in technology; in science, cloning has become a reality, newer, more powerful drugs have been invented and, in communications, the Internet has dominated society. There is a cultural lag due to the fast rate of increasing technology, and while the governments of the world are trying to keep up their role as censors and lawmakers, we as individuals are trying to comprehend the effects it has on our lives. Will these advances enhance our lives to an unprecedented level of comfort, or lead to the loss of actual happiness? In the early 1930's, when Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World, this was a question he felt was worth asking.

    Read More

  • Genetic Interventions and the Ethics of Enhancement of Human Beings by Julian Savulescu

    3287 Words  | 7 Pages

    Savulescu, Julian. “Genetic Interventions and the Ethics of Human Beings.” Readings in the Philosophy of Technology. Ed. David Kaplan. 2nd ed. Lanham: Roman & Littlefield, 2009. 417-430.

    Read More

  • What Are The Impact Of Technology In The 20th Century

    1468 Words  | 3 Pages

    A well supported outlook towards the future of technology would be “cautiously optimistic.” Nuclear fission is one example of this. While is did further our understanding of atomic theory and resulted in a solution to many energy woes, it also caused the tragedies of Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Chernobyl. Looking towards the 21st century, artificial intelligence is shaping up to be another highly controversial piece of technology that we are only beginning to understand. As George Santayana once said, “those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.” We can only hope that the world has learned an important lesson from these tragedies: never underestimate the power of

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Human Genetic Engineering

    1309 Words  | 3 Pages

    As the rate of advancements in technology and science continue to grow, ideas that were once viewed as science fiction are now becoming reality. As we collectively advance as a society, ethical dilemmas arise pertaining to scientific advancement, specifically concerning the controversial topic of genetic engineering in humans. Human genetic engineering increasingly causes dissonance between various groups of scientific and religious groups of people in regards to if we should or should not ‘play god’ and attempt to modify humans for the better of the race. First, let’s take a look at what exactly genetic engineering is; according to, yourgenome.org, “Genetic engineering refers to the direct manipulation of DNA to alter an organism’s

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Genetic Engineering

    925 Words  | 2 Pages

    Scientists and the general population favor genetic engineering because of the effects it has for the future generation; the advanced technology has helped our society to freely perform any improvements. Genetic engineering is currently an effective yet dangerous way to make this statement tangible. Though it may sound easy and harmless to change one’s genetic code, the conflicts do not only involve the scientific possibilities but also the human morals and ethics. When the scientists first used mice to practice this experiment, they “improved learning and memory” but showed an “increased sensitivity to pain.” The experiment has proven that while the result are favorable, there is a low percentage of success rate. Therefore, scientists have concluded that the resources they currently own will not allow an approval from the society to continually code new genes. While coding a new set of genes for people may be a benefitting idea, some people oppose this idea.

    Read More

More about Ted Kacinski's Argument On Unintended Consequences

Open Document