A brief description of the Western ethical thought on science and technology?

[Abstract] Western science and technology ethical thought can be divided into three periods: ancient, modern and contemporary. The main content of the ancient western science and technology ethical thought is: affirm the value of science and technology, pay attention to the function of science and technology; preliminary exploration of the relationship between science and technology and morality; put forward science and technology ethical standards; pay attention to the scientists' own moral cultivation. The main contents of modern Western ethical thought on science and technology are: emphasizing that scientific and technological morality does not originate from religious morality; analyzing the relationship between science and technology and morality, and putting forward the three points of view of unity, antagonism and separation; putting forward the spirit of truth-seeking, skepticism, innovation, dedication and other scientific spirits; and further calibrating the code of ethics of science and technology. The main contents of modern western science and technology ethical thinking are: to explore the moral responsibilities and obligations that scientists should shoulder; to stipulate the moral requirements in the field of science and technology. The characteristics of western science and technology ethical thought are: earlier proposed the moral problems of scientific and technological personnel; pay great attention to the relationship between science and religion; especially emphasize the value-neutral view of science and technology ethics.　[Key to thesis] Western Ethical Thought on Science and Technology Brief description Characteristics I. Western Ethical Thought on Science and Technology Western ethical thought on science and technology can be divided into three periods: ancient, modern and contemporary, and the content of its thought is as follows in order: *** I*** Ancient Western Ethical Thought on Science and Technology Western ethical thought on science and technology has been seen for the first time in the myths and legends of the ancient Greek and Roman dynasties, and the gods and heroes in the struggle against the natural environment have demonstrated their wisdom, power and character, to a certain extent. The wisdom, power and virtue of the gods and heroes in their struggle against the natural environment reflected to a certain extent the ethical thinking of people in science and technology at the end of primitive society, including the victory of good over evil, the benefit of mankind and the pursuit of truth. It had a profound influence not only on the natural philosophers and politicians at that time, but also on the scientists and ethicists of the later generations, and became the oldest treasure trove of Western ethical thinking on science and technology. The main contents of western science and technology ethical thought in this period are: 1. Affirming the value of science and technology and emphasizing the function of science and technology. This is an important manifestation of the spirit of science and technology ethics. Although the ancient science and technology is not developed, but the scientists and philosophers at that time have begun to recognize the important value of science and technology. For example, the Pythagorean school of special reverence for mathematics and medicine, that mathematics is "the most intelligent thing", medical science is "the most intelligent" performance, and knowledge is "the most powerful The most powerful".　2. The relationship between science and technology and morality was explored. Heraclitus believed that scientific research is to act according to nature and listen to nature, that is, to recognize and obey the Logos, in order to live a rational and moral life and achieve the goal of cognitive happiness. According to him, true happiness lies in grasping the Logos with wisdom, not in material enjoyment, and if one merely gobbles one's fill, one is reduced to the level of livestock. Socrates elevated the relationship between specific scientific knowledge and morality to a general proposition, and put forward the proposition that "virtue is knowledge," believing that the true knowledge of science and the true knowledge of morality are both knowledge, and that knowledge is the good. In this proposition, he unifies the search for goodness with the search for truth, and takes truth as the basis and premise of goodness, so that virtue is consistent with knowledge. Socrates objectively foreshadowed the general trend of interdependence and mutual promotion of human morality and scientific knowledge, thus revealing the inherent law that scientific development and moral progress are conditions for each other. Aristotle also put forward: "All technology, all research, and all practice and choice aim at some kind of goodness. That is why it is said that all things are directed toward the good." Therefore, mathematics, physics, etc. are noble sciences. In his opinion, "In the rational activity of science, there is happiness wherever discernment reaches, and where discernment is strong, the happiness enjoyed is great, for discernment itself is glory."　3. Proposing a code of ethics for science and technology. Western scholars earlier recognized that scientists must focus on certain ethical standards, of which Plato, Democritus, Heraclitus and others clearly put forward specific ethical standards, mainly divided into the following aspects:***1*** reverence for scientific knowledge, light on fame and money. This is the universal quality of ancient scientists and philosophers, including some noble rich people value scientific knowledge. The most representative is Heraclitus, he came from the royal family, is the heir to the throne, but he in order to explore the scientific truth to give the throne to his brother, alone secluded in the mountains and forests to concentrate on scientific research. ***2*** Valuing nature and observing experiments. Ancient scientists advocated learning from nature; they carefully observed celestial bodies and living creatures and conducted scientific research by dissecting animals. ***3*** Advocating service to the state. This was the ****consciousness of the ancient progressive politicians and scientists. The interests of the state are higher than those of the individual. It is the moral obligation of the individual to defend the interests of the state. It is for this reason that when the armies of the Roman Empire invaded Archimedes' hometown, the aged Archimedes stood up to the enemy with his own invention of stone-throwing machines, crossbows, and other advanced weapons. ***4*** Promote modesty and self-criticism. Scientists earlier put forward the ideas of "can not be self-righteous" and "complacency is a step backward from progress", and believed that one should not be complacent with one's achievements, and should not show them off everywhere. ***5***Scientific secrecy was practiced. Scientists at the time focused on the confidentiality of scientific research results. For example, Pythagoras had extremely strict rules for members of his school, and was not allowed to privately divulge scientific results. They only tell their philosophical secrets orally to friends and relatives, but not in writing.　4. Attaching importance to the moral cultivation of scientists themselves. Scientists pursue the unity of soul and body, rationality and irrationality, and they believe that the goal of moral cultivation is to get rid of the "filth" in the soul through contemplation and meditation, and to make the body and mind healthy by leading a simple life, so as to be the "best man". For example, Democritus put forward the goal of cultivation is to become a "virtuous and wise man", where "virtuous" refers to morality and "wise" refers to wisdom and knowledge. Aristotle also suggested that people engaged in scientific and technological activities are wise, noble and happy people. The ideal personality includes the element of wisdom, in other words, "wisdom" as an important aspect of moral personality.