Society, Ethics, and Technology, 5th Edition

Morton Winston, Ralph Edelbach

Copyright 2014
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Society, Ethics, and Technology 5th Edition by Morton Winston/Ralph Edelbach

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Overview
Meet the Authors
What's New
Features
Table of Contents
Pricing

Overview

From today's headlines to your classroom, SOCIETY, ETHICS, AND TECHNOLOGY, Fifth Edition, explores the cutting edge of technological innovation and how these advances represent profound moral dilemmas for society as a whole. Winston and Edelbach's timely anthology, updated with new readings and introductions, examines the consequences of technological change from a variety of historical, social, and philosophical perspectives.

Your students will build a strong foundation in theoretical and applied ethics as they examine critically the social effects of the technology in their daily lives. In addition to highlighting ethical theory, the readings assist students in establishing frameworks for ethical decision-making. New articles examine the impact of contemporary technological advances, such as nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and social media. Special coverage of the history of technology focuses on ground-breaking developments, as well as the technological underpinnings of contemporary globalization. In addition, the book explores the future of technology in such areas as human rights, overpopulation, biotechnology, information technology, climate change, and the environment. New readings draw on a variety of contemporary social issues and numerous disciplines, from philosophy and sociology to engineering and computer science, while insightful introductions and focus questions guide student comprehension.

Meet the Authors

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Morton Winston

Morton Winston is a professor of philosophy and chairman of the Department of Philosophy, Religion, and Classical Studies at the College of New Jersey. He teaches classes in bioethics, political philosophy, ethical theory, philosophy of technology, environmental ethics, genocide, and human rights. He has published several books and numerous articles on topics related to human rights, applied ethics, and cognitive science. Professor Winston has received three Fulbright Scholarships, to South Africa, Thailand, and Denmark, and has served as the chairman of the board of directors of Amnesty International.

Ralph Edelbach

Ralph Edelbach is an associate professor of technological studies at the College of New Jersey. He teaches classes on ethics and technology and is president of the College of New Jersey Federation of Teachers, Local 2364, AFT.

What's New

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A new chapter on the Internet, privacy, and the power of social media features new readings from Lawrence Lessig, Nicholas Carr, Lori Andrews, and Clay Shirky.
This edition offers expanded coverage of surveillance and security technologies, with new readings by Lori Andrews and Rebecca MacKinnon.
An updated chapter on climate change, the environment, and overpopulation features new readings from Jeffrey Sachs, Amory Lovins, Donald Aitken, and David Fridley.
The chapter on biotechnology, genetic engineering, and the "posthuman" future has been updated with new selections from Francis Fukuyama and Mark Hanson.
New readings from James Burke, Steven Johnson, and Arthur Donovan provide expanded coverage of the history of innovation and the process of technological change, with.

Features

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Broad coverage of both theoretical and applied topics ensures a balanced outlook and presentation that remains both rigorous and accessible.
The book's introductory essay by Morton Winston analyzes key terms such as technology, infrastructure, and environment, and outlines a process for ethical decision-making.
Introductions before each reading provide background and theoretical context to help students place the reading in contemporary debates.
Focus questions preceding each selection direct students to key arguments and ideas, and to valuable supplementary reading.
Chapters on nanotechnology and biotechnology, security and surveillance, robotics and artificial intelligence, the internet and social networking, overpopulation and climate change address some of the most pressing ethical dilemmas facing today's society.
An additional, comprehensive archive of ethical case studies and topics is available via the text's companion website.

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Introduction: Morton Winston, "Children of Invention Revisited".
PART I.
1.1 History. James Burke, "The Pinball Effect." Steven Johnson, "Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation." Arthur Donovan, "Containerization and Globalization." Rosalind Williams, "History as Technological Change." 1.2 Society.
Richard Sclove, "I'd Hammer Out Freedom: Technology as Politics." Andrew Feenberg, "Democratic Rationalization." Sheila Jasanoff, "Technologies of Humility." Judy Wajcman, "Addressing Technological Change: The Challenge to Social Theory." 1.3 Ethics. Hans Jonas, "Technology and Responsibility: Reflections on the New Task of Ethics." Michael Davis, 'Ain't no one here but us social forces': Constructing the Professional Responsibility of Engineers. "David Strong, Technological Subversion. "Deborah Johnson and Thomas Powers, "Ethics and Technology: A Program for Future Research".
PART II.
2.1 Security & Surveillance. Max Boot, "The Consequences of the Information Revolution". Rebecca MacKinnon, "Consent of the Networked: The Worldwide Struggle for Internet Freedom." Jay Stanley and Barry Steinhardt, "Bigger Monster, Weaker Chains: The Growth of an American Surveillance Society." James Stacey Taylor, "In Praise of Big Brother: Why We Should Learn to Stop Worrying and Love Some. Government Surveillance." 2.2 Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. Abigail Tucker, "Birth of a Robot." Rodney Brooks, "Us and Them." Jeff Hawkins, "On Intelligence." Stephen Baker, "Final Jeopardy: Man vs. Machine and the Quest to Know Everything." 2.3 Nanotechnology. Armin Grunwald, "Nanotechnology: A New Field of Ethical Inquiry?" James Hughes, "Global Technology Regulation." Bill Joy, "Why the Future Doesn't Need Us." Ray Kurzweil, "Nanoscience, Nanotechnology, and Ethics: Promise and Peril". 2.4 Internet & Social Media. Lori Andrews, "I Know Who You Are and I Saw What You Did: Social Networks and the Death of Privacy." Nicholas Carr, "Is Google Making Us Stupid." Lawrence Lessig, "Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy." Clay Shirky, "The Political Power of Social Media: Technology, the Public Sphere, and Political Change." 2.5 Biotech and Genetic Engineering. Francis Fukuyama, "Our Posthuman Future: Consequences of the Biotechnology Revolution." Mark Hanson, "Patenting Genes and Life: Improper Commodification?" Leon Kass, "Preventing a Brave New World: Why We Should Ban Human Cloning." Michael Sandel, "The Case against Perfection." 2.6 Population, Environment, & Climate Change. Donald Aitken, "Global Warming, Rapid Climate Change, and Renewable Energy Solutions for Gaia." Amory Lovins, "A Farewell to Fossil Fuels." David Fridley, "Nine Challenges of Alternative Energy." Jeffrey Sachs, "Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet."