Science and Morality

The necessity of ethical regulation of scientific activity was substantiated, and its forms in contemporary society were characterized. The expediency of such regulation was established to be determined by the law of techno-humanitarian balance, requiring under conditions of increasing power of military and industrial technologies the creation of means of cultural — especially moral — regulation of scientific research and technologies in order to neutralize their possible negative consequences for society. The essence of the moral imperative and the significance of the ability to adhere to it in the activities of scientists, politicians, and business leaders was elucidated. The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries are shown to be characterized by philosophers with a favorable attitude toward science. However, in the twentieth century it became apparent that in certain cases scientific knowledge and the technologies developed on its basis can become a source of danger while their application may turn into evil. The most striking demonstration of this was provided by the criminal atomic bombings of Japanese cities carried out by the United States armed forces. It is noted that following these events, scientists from different countries engaged in efforts aimed at nuclear disarmament and the promotion of peaceful coexistence among nations. The activities of the World Federation of scientific workers were characterized, and its contribution to the struggle for the peace preservation was highlighted. The significance of the Russell–Einstein Manifesto and the Pugwash movement for the formation of the scientific ethos and for the fight to preserve peace on the planet is demonstrated. It is established that in the era of post-non-classical science internal regulatory principles are insufficient to neutralize the risks arising in the course of scientific and technological development. These principles must therefore be supplemented by the principles of the social usefulness of scientific knowledge and the social responsibility of the scientist. It is concluded that the expanded ideal of the scientific ethos combines, on the one hand, the values of novelty and truth of scientific knowledge, and, on the other hand, the recognition of its practical significance for addressing societal problems.

 EDN KMOOGX

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