Technoscientific Research

Methodological and Ethical Aspects

Roman Z. Morawski

• Publisher: De Gruyter
• Year: 2024
• eBook ISBN: 9783111180755
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Ethics & Moral Philosophy
• Index: Computer Science

Unlike the bulk majority of publications on philosophy of science and research ethics, which are authored by professional philosophers and intended for philosophers, this book has been written by a research practitioner and intended for research practitioners. It is distinctive by its integrative approach to methodological and ethical issues related to research practice, with special emphasis of mathematical modelling and measurement, as well as by attempted application of engineering design methodology to moral decision making. It is also distinctive by more than 200 real-world examples drawn from various domains of science and technology. It is neither a philosophical treaty nor a quick-reference guide. It is intended to encourage young researchers, especially Ph.D. students, to deeper philosophical reflection over research practice. They are not expected to have any philosophical background, but encouraged to consult indicated sources of primary information and academic textbooks containing syntheses of information from primary sources. This book can be a teaching aid for students attending classes aimed at identification of methodological and ethical issues related to technoscientific research, followed by introduction to the methodology of analysing dilemmas arising in this context.

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Selected concepts of logic and philosophy
• 3 Science in historical perspective
• 4 Philosophy of science in historical perspective
• 5 Mathematical modelling
• 6 Measurement
• 7 Scientific explanation
• 8 Context of discovery
• 9 Context of justification
• 10 Uncertainty of technoscientific knowledge
• 11 Basic concepts of Western ethics
• 12 Western ethics in historical perspective
• 13 System of values associated with technoscience
• 14 Principles of moral decision-making
• 15 General issues of research ethics
• 16 Ethical aspects of experimentation
• 17 Ethical aspects of information processing
• 18 Legal protection of intellectual property
• 19 Ethical issues implied by information technologies
• 20 Concluding remarks
• Index of names
• Index of terms