Ethics in an Age of Technology: Gifford Lectures, Volume Two

Ian G. Barbour

Harper Collins, Dec 25, 1992 - Philosophy - 336 pages

The Gifford Lectures have challenged our greatest thinkers to relate the worlds of religion, philosophy, and science. Now Ian Barbour has joined ranks with such Gifford lecturers as William James, Carl Jung, and Reinhold Neibuhr. In 1989 Barbour presented his first series of Gifford Lectures, published as Religion in an Age of Science. In 1990 he returned to Scotland to present his second series, dealing with ethical issues arising from technology and exploring the relationship of human and environmental values to science, philosophy, and religion and showing why these values are relevant to technological policy decisions.

In examine the conflicting ethics and assumptions that lead to divergent views and technology, Barbour analyzes three social values: justice, participatory freedom, and economic development. He defends such environmental principles as resource sustainability, environmental protection, and respect for all forms of life. He present case studies in agriculture, energy policy, genetic engineering, and the use of computers. Finally, he concludes by focusing on appropriate technologies, individual life-styles, and sources of change: education, political action, response to crisis, and alternative visions of the good life.

Contents

• VIEWS OF TECHNOLOGY: 3
• HUMAN VALUES: 26
• ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES: 57
• AGRICULTURE: 85
• ENERGY: 116
• COMPUTERS: 146
• UNPRECEDENTED POWERS: 179
• CONTROLLING TECHNOLOGY: 213
• NEW DIRECTIONS: 242
• Notes: 269
• Index of Names: 303

About the author

Ian G. Barbour has retired from Carleton College where he was professor of physics, professor of religion, and Bean Professor of Science, Technology, and Society. The "preeminent synthetic in the field" (Cross Currents,) he is the author of several influential books, including Ethics in an Age of Technology and Myths Models, and Paradigms, which was nominated for the National Book Award. He gave the world-renowned Gifford Lectures, 1989-1991.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Ethics in an Age of Technology: Gifford Lectures, Volume Two; Gifford Lectures: Gifford Lectures; Gifford lectures; Issue 58 of ISSR library; Volume 2 of The Gifford Lectures 1989-1991, Vol 2; The Gifford lectures in natural theology ; 1989-1991, v.2
• Author: Ian G. Barbour
• Edition: illustrated, reprint, revised
• Publisher: Harper Collins, 1992
• ISBN: 0060609354, 9780060609351
• Length: 336 pages
• Subjects: Philosophy / General