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Benjamin Hale Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Philosophy Interim Director, Environmental Studies Program New York University January 10, 2005 Monday, 4:00pm-6:00pm Humanities Classroom Bldg, Rm 201 It is commonly argued by many ethicists that moral agency requires the capacity or ability to set one's own ends. On some pictures, in order to act morally one should act according to principles that are harmonious with laws in the natural world. This view appears to be threatened by developments in nano technology. If it is the case that we can set our ends at the atomic scale, as the architects of the nanotechnology revolution would have it -- or, more aggressively, if it is the case that ends can be set by other humans in a way invisible to most participants in the natural world, instead of by nature -- then it might appear that nature has no grasp on us; and, consequently, that there is no stable aspect to nature with which we might harmonize. We face the prospect, for instance, that our moral deliberations will not include the Leopoldian ideals of integrity and stability as component considerations, since nature in the face of nanotechnology loses its integrity and stability and becomes, instead, infinitely manipulable. This is quite scary to many, and for good reason: when humans take on the powers of gods, it would seem that they could determine the laws to which they would prefer to be subject. On the other hand, developments in nanotechnology open the possibility that we agents can self legislate in a way never before thought imaginable. This is quite exciting to many, also for good reason: manipulating the natural world through nanotechnology not only amplifies human potential, but also holds promise of alleviating pain and suffering in the world. This talk investigates the ostensible conflict between the land ethic and nanotechnology and argues that shifting the emphasis of environmental ethics to center on moral consideration opens the door to resolve conflicts in such Leopoldian criteria as stability and integrity without condemning or endorsing nanotechnology outright.  |
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