EPET Conference 2012
Technology is an important driver of change in today’s world, and the desirability of such change is a matter of concern in public debate and policy making. Whereas the influence of morality on technology is well acknowledged, the influence of technology on morality is much less considered. This conference aims to investigate the phenomenon of techno-moral change from a philosophical, historical and sociological perspective. Moreover, it explores how our capacity to imagine, and relate to, techno-moral change may be enhanced by the arts. Lastly, it will consider to what extent and how the phenomenon of techno-moral change should be taken into account in public debate on emerging technologies.
Contributions focus on one of four themes:
1. Conceptualizing techno-moral change
2. Researching techno-moral change
3. Imagining techno-moral change
4. Governing techno-moral change
Ad 1. Conceptualizing techno-moral change
The first theme focuses on analytically or philosophically understanding the phenomenon of techno-moral change. What is moral change? How to define it? What concepts and models do we have to develop to describe moral change? And how to understand the interplay of moral and technological change? We welcome papers focusing on the (im)possibility of moral change and ethical change.
Ad 2. Researching techno-moral change
The second theme explores how and to what extent empirical philosophy, STS, Technology Assessment and scenario studies can be employed to anticipate possible techno-moral change. We welcome historical studies about cases and patterns of past techno-moral change, as well as empirical and philosophical studies of current examples. To what extent and how do technologies change social and cultural practices and values? And how are these technologies in turn constructed by them?
Ad 3. Imagining techno-moral change
The third theme addresses the question how the arts can support imagining techno-moral change. Here, artists, philosophers and art theorists are invited to explore how the arts have been addressing techno-moral change in the past, or how they believe art could (or should) address these issues in the future. All art forms can be included, such as the fine arts, theatre arts, new media arts, (interactive) performances, dance, film and literature.
Ad 4. Governing techno-moral change
The fourth theme deals with the policy implications of techno-moral change. To what extent can it be explored in advance, and how can such explorations be made relevant in the contexts of TA and anticipatory governance of emerging technologies?
The final programme can be downloaded at Conference programme and booklet (left).
