The Ethics Gap in the Engineering of the Future: Moral Challenges for the Technology of Tomorrow

Advances in computer science, artificial intelligence and data management have made engineering a dynamic and rapidly expanding industry. But have these advances enabled the manifestation of wrongdoing? If so, what can we do to counter this?

The Ethics Gap in the Engineering of the Future challenges readers to think about our moral compasses and the multifaceted impact of technology on our everyday lives. Reshaping engineering ethics by considering the ‘colonization of lifeworld’ by technology and AI-based systems, contributors question human ontology, the cultural status quo and the future of modern civilization. Setting moral reflection at the core of both the engineer's professional practice and the user’s personal responsibility, the chapters address the moral implications of biotechnology and artificial intelligence, the ethical challenges of regulation and digital governance and the ethics of space exploration. Offering visionary case studies, authors explore issues such as privacy, regulation, inequality, social exclusion/inclusion, human judgment, decision-making, freedom, legitimacy, responsibility, safety and other ethical issues in engineering.

Challenging philosophers, academics, engineers, researchers, educators and scholars to prioritise these moral quandaries before it’s too late, this is an insightful look into engineering ethics and the technology of tomorrow.

Spyridon Stelios is Teaching and Research Associate at the National Technical University of Athens, Greece. He lectures at several schools within NTUA, with research interests in ethics, epistemology and experimental philosophy.

Kostas Theologou is Professor at the Faculty of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences of the National Technical University of Athens, Greece, as well as Director of the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law. His research interests focus on the history and philosophy of culture.

ISBN: 9781837976362
Format: Hardback
Pages: 256
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
Published: November 25, 2024

In ‘The Ethics Gap in the Engineering of the Future,’ the author masterfully navigates the intricate relationship between technology, ethics, and the elusive concept of the future. With keen insights, they explore how our perception of the future shapes our present choices and influences technological progress. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the moral implications of our rapidly advancing civilization. Both authors (Kostas Theologou and Dr. Spyridon Stelios) have impressive backgrounds and contribute significantly to their respective fields. Their expertise enriches the discourse on technology, ethics, and philosophy. The unique insight that the authors bring to the subject lies in their interdisciplinary approach. By combining expertise in philosophy, ethics, and technology, they bridge the gap between theoretical concepts (such as the “gap” and the “future”) and practical implications. Their exploration of how our perception of the future shapes our present choices and influences technological progress is both thought-provoking and relevant. Through their work, they encourage readers to engage critically with the moral dimensions of our rapidly advancing civilization.