The natural ambiguity of the notion of ‘natural’, and how to overcome it
Journal title EPISTEMOLOGIA
Author/s Mauro Dorato
Publishing Year 2012 Issue 2012/2 Language English
Pages 17 P. 247-263 File size 621 KB
DOI 10.3280/EPIS2012-002006
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In this paper I will explore the ramification of the distinction between fact and values in order to show that human values enter in various ways in both science and (nano)technologies without violating Hume’s fact/value distinction. Among the nanotechnologies, I will discuss the case study provided by the use of microchips implanted under our skin: though they do not obviously overcome the limits of the natural laws (intended in the descriptive sense), their application might in principle jeopardize our ethical principles in a way that is more powerful than previously existing ‘macrotechnology’. This greater power depends on the fact that the properties of the macroworld depend on the ‘nanoworld’, but not conversely.
Keywords: Fact, value, adaptation, microchip, natural laws, natural.
Mauro Dorato, The natural ambiguity of the notion of ‘natural’, and how to overcome it in "EPISTEMOLOGIA" 2/2012, pp 247-263, DOI: 10.3280/EPIS2012-002006