The Morality of Weapons Research

The Morality of Weapons Research PDF

Author: John Forge

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2019-04-02

Total Pages: 103

ISBN-13: 3030168603

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This book addresses the morality of engaging in weapons research, a topic that has been neglected but which is extremely important. It is argued that this activity is both morally wrong and morally unjustifiable, and this implies that moral persons should not engage in it. The argument is not based on any pacifist assumptions: it is not assumed that neither individuals nor states should not defend themselves. What is wrong with weapons research is that it is the first step in the production of weapons, weapons are the means to harm, and harming without justification is always wrong. Those who study science, for instance those who are interested in the responsibilities of the scientist, are given a new perspective, while those who are practicing scientists will realize that they should not consider working to design new or improved weapons systems. This book is of interest to students and researchers working in ethics and technology, philosophy of technology, military ethics, and history of technology.

On the Morality of Weapons Research

On the Morality of Weapons Research PDF

Author: John Forge

Publisher: Lund Humphries Publishers

Published: 2014-07-28

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 9781472415301

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

John Forge defines weapons research as research that aims to produce new or improved weapons, or to produce new or improved ancillary structures, both hardware and software, that are necessary supports for the weapons themselves. His objective in this book is to show that weapons research is always morally wrong, whatever the circumstances in which it is conducted.

The Morality of Weapons Design and Development: Emerging Research and Opportunities

The Morality of Weapons Design and Development: Emerging Research and Opportunities PDF

Author: Forge, John

Publisher: IGI Global

Published: 2017-12-01

Total Pages: 216

ISBN-13: 1522539859

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Countries around the globe are continuously investing money into weapon development and manufacturing. While weapon design has been a relevant topic, from the Middle Ages to today, the morality of this practice is not commonly presented in research. The Morality of Weapons Design and Development: Emerging Research and Opportunities is an essential scholarly resource that presents detailed discussions on ethical dilemmas in weapons design and innovations. While highlighting relevant topics including projectile and nuclear weapons, the true costs of war, design in peacetime, and weapons development and justification, this book is an ideal resource for researchers, engineers, graduate students, and professionals who have an interest in weapons design, development, and ethics.

Scientists at War

Scientists at War PDF

Author: Sarah Bridger

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Published: 2015-04-06

Total Pages: 363

ISBN-13: 0674736826

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Sarah Bridger examines the ethical debates that tested the U.S. scientific community during the Cold War, and scientists’ contributions to military technologies and strategic policymaking, from the dawning atomic age through the Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) in the 1980s, which sparked cross-generational opposition among scientists.

Designed to Kill: The Case Against Weapons Research

Designed to Kill: The Case Against Weapons Research PDF

Author: John Forge

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-24

Total Pages: 321

ISBN-13: 9400757360

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The pilot-less drones, smart bombs and other high-tech weapons on display in recent conflicts are all the outcome of weapons research. However, the kind of scientific and technological endeavour has been around for a long time, producing not only the armaments of Nazi Germany and the atomic bombs dropped on Japan, but the catapults used in ancient Greece and Rome and the assault rifles used by child soldiers in Africa. In this book John Forge examines such weapons research and asks whether it is morally acceptable to undertake such an activity. He argues that it is in fact morally wrong to take part in weapons research as its primary purpose is to produce the means to harm others, and moreover he argues that all attempts to then justify participation in weapons research do not stand up to scrutiny. This book has wide appeal in fields of philosophy and related areas, as well to a more general audience who are puzzled about the rate at which new weapons are accumulated.

Morality, Prudence, and Nuclear Weapons

Morality, Prudence, and Nuclear Weapons PDF

Author: Steven P. Lee

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1996-11-13

Total Pages: 438

ISBN-13: 9780521567725

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This 1993 book is the first post-Cold War assessment of nuclear deterrence, -providing a comprehensive normative understanding of nuclear deterrence policy.

Autonomous Weapons Systems

Autonomous Weapons Systems PDF

Author: Nehal Bhuta

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2016-09

Total Pages: 421

ISBN-13: 1107153565

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This examination of the implications and regulation of autonomous weapons systems combines contributions from law, robotics and philosophy.

Do Morals Matter?

Do Morals Matter? PDF

Author: Joseph S. Nye

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2020

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 0190935960

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

What is the role of ethics in American foreign policy? The Trump Administration has elevated this from a theoretical question to front-page news. Should ethics even play a role, or should we only focus on defending our material interests? In Do Morals Matter? Joseph S. Nye provides a concise yet penetrating analysis of how modern American presidents have-and have not-incorporated ethics into their foreign policy. Nye examines each presidency during theAmerican era post-1945 and scores them on the success they achieved in implementing an ethical foreign policy. Alongside this, he evaluates their leadership qualities, explaining which approaches work and which ones do not.

The Responsible Scientist

The Responsible Scientist PDF

Author: John Forge

Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Pre

Published: 2008-11-09

Total Pages: 285

ISBN-13: 0822971194

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

When Fat Boy, the first atomic bomb was detonated at Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1945, moral responsibility in science was forever thrust into the forefront of philosophical debate. The culmination of the famed Manhattan Project, which employed many of the world's best scientific minds, was a singular event that signaled a new age of science for power and profit and the monumental responsibility that these actions entailed.Today, the drive for technological advances in areas such as pharmaceuticals, biosciences, communications, and the defense industry channels the vast majority of scientific endeavor into applied research. In The Responsible Scientist, John Forge examines the challenges of social, moral, and legal responsibility faced by today's scientists. Focusing on moral responsibility, Forge argues that scientists have a responsibility not to do work that has harmful outcomes and that they are encouraged to do work that prevents harm. Scientists also have a backward-looking responsibility, whereby they must prevent wrongful outcomes and omissions that they are in a position to foresee.Forge presents a broad overview of many areas of scientific endeavor, citing the responsibility of corporations, employees, and groups of scientists as judged by the values of science and society's appraisals of actions and outcomes. He maintains that ultimate responsibility lies in the hands of the individual-the responsible scientist-who must exhibit the diligence and foresight to anticipate the use and abuse of his or her work.