What Moral Philosophy Brings to a Technological Society | Zachary Goldberg

A philosopher of technology demonstrates how moral philosophy makes an indispensable contribution to our technological society. Far from being abstract or divorced from reality, moral philosophy provides the rules necessary for thinking about the ethics of technology. Without knowing these rules, we could become overwhelmed by the complexity of the ethical issues generated by the use of emerging technologies, we could develop a false sense of certainty regarding our own beliefs, or even accept others’ poorly formed opinions. Moral philosophy shows us how to avoid such critical mistakes and how to proceed reasonably with the ethics of technology.

Zachary Goldberg is a senior researcher in the field of the ethics of technology. He holds both a Ph.D. and the German “Habilitation” in moral philosophy and practical ethics. Zachary Goldberg is a philosopher whose research focuses on the ethical design and use of new technology.

In which way can technology develop in order to improve our society?

The diverse uses of new technologies in a pluralistic society obscure a clear answer to this important question. For this reason, it is paramount to continue asking this question rather than believing we have found its definitive answer. Questioning ourselves and our actions guards against ethical complacency and can help lead to the design and use of technology for the good of society.