Nanotalk: Conversations With Scientists And Engineers About The Ethics, Meaning, And Belief In The Development Of Nanotechnology

No one really knows where nanotechnology is leading, what its pursuit will mean, and how it may affect human and other forms of life. Nevertheless, its research and development are moving briskly into that unknown. It has been suggested that rapid movement towards 'who knows where' is endemic to all technological development; that its researchers pursue it for curiosity and enjoyment, without knowing the consequences, believing that their efforts will be beneficial. Further, that the enthusiasm for development comes with no malicious intent but rather from simple ignorance. Contrary to that commonly held perception about the collective pursuit of technological development, there are individual research scientists and engineers who are quite willing to reflect on the meaning of their work in nanotechnology. Nanotalk is a book of conversations and explorations with thirty five such nano-research scientists and engineers who share their ideas, experiences, perceptions, and beliefs about their work, humanity, nature, change, and the future of the world with nanotechnology. Precisely because of the unknowable nature of nanotechnology research and development, conscientious foresight and ethical reflection are warranted every step of the way. Not only do nanotechnology research and development represent enormous financial commitments, but they also require a profound leap of faith regarding its possible outcomes. Using these conversations as the basis of reflection and deliberation, the author explores the possible significance of nanotechnology to humanity and how it might be pursued conscientiously and ethically. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 8 Foreword......Page 12 Preface......Page 14 Russell......Page 18 Introduction: Narrative and the Voices of Research Scientists and Engineers......Page 34 PART I ETHICS......Page 56 CHAPTER ONE The Nanotechnology “Revolution”......Page 58 CHAPTER TWO Three Dimensions of Nanoethics......Page 91 PART II MEANING......Page 126 CHAPTER THREE Conceptual Frameworks, Themes, and Values......Page 128 CHAPTER FOUR Meaning Making......Page 177 PART III BELIEF......Page 216 CHAPTER FIVE New Knowledge and Nature......Page 218 CHAPTER SIX Imagination, Metaphor, and Science Fiction......Page 261 CHAPTER SEVEN Noble Revisited......Page 284 CHAPTER EIGHT Conscientious Moral Commitments......Page 326 APPENDIX A Methodology and Preliminary Research Findings......Page 343 APPENDIX B History of the Nanotechnology Initiative in the United States......Page 354 APPENDIX C Interview Protocol......Page 356 APPENDIX D 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act......Page 359 References......Page 362 Author Index......Page 368 Subject Index......Page 370 Engineering, Computing & Technology Book Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 8 Foreword 12 Preface 14 Russell 18 Introduction: Narrative and the Voices of Research Scientists and Engineers 34 PART I ETHICS 56 CHAPTER ONE The Nanotechnology “Revolution” 58 CHAPTER TWO Three Dimensions of Nanoethics 91 PART II MEANING 126 CHAPTER THREE Conceptual Frameworks, Themes, and Values 128 CHAPTER FOUR Meaning Making 177 PART III BELIEF 216 CHAPTER FIVE New Knowledge and Nature 218 CHAPTER SIX Imagination, Metaphor, and Science Fiction 261 CHAPTER SEVEN Noble Revisited 284 CHAPTER EIGHT Conscientious Moral Commitments 326 APPENDIX A Methodology and Preliminary Research Findings 343 APPENDIX B History of the Nanotechnology Initiative in the United States 354 APPENDIX C Interview Protocol 356 APPENDIX D 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act 359 References 362 Author Index 368 Subject Index 370 Russell -- Introduction: Narrative And The Voices Of Research: Scientists And Engineers -- I. Ethics: The Nanotechnology Revolution -- Three Dimensions Of Nanoethics -- Ii. Meaning: Conceptual Frameworks, Themes, And Values --meaning Making -- Iii. Belief: New Knowledge And Nature -- Imagination, Metaphor, And Science Fiction -- Noble Revisited -- Conscientious Moral Commitments -- Appendix A: Methodology And Preliminary Research Findings -- Appendix B: History Of The Nanotechnology Initiative In The United States -- Appendix C: Interview Protocol -- Appendix D: 21st Century Nanotechnology Research And Development Act. By Rosalyn W. Berne. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 345-349) And Indexes. Nanotalk is a book of conversations and explorations with thirty fiveánano-research scientists and engineers who share their ideas, experiences, perceptions, and beliefs about their work, humanity, nature, change, and the future of the world