Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina 2017, 19(1):35-38 | DOI: 10.26552/com.C.2017.1.35-38

Hans Jonas' Ethics of Technology: Risks of Technological Society

Ciprian Turcan1
1 Department of General and Applied Ethics, Faculty of Arts, Constantine the Philosopher University, Nitra, Slovakia

Until the mid-20th century can be observed romantically (almost utopian) minded optimism, that accompanied technological progress. Technical innovations have been evaluated mainly in terms of their positive contribution, especially in the economic sphere. In the second half of this century, the technological optimism gradually faded and was replaced by skepticism and negativism. Hans Jonas is among the first philosophers who managed to discern and appreciate the high-risk potential of technological power. Jonas formulated an ethical theory that might be able to adequately respond to the perils of a technological society. This paper focuses on Jonas' understanding of the perils of technological practice within his concept of modern society which, due to the way it functions, threatens its own existence. Our aim is also to point out contemporary obstacles to applying his ethical solutions.

Keywords: Hans Jonas; technology; society; risks; ethics

Published: January 31, 2017  Show citation

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Turcan, C. (2017). Hans Jonas' Ethics of Technology: Risks of Technological Society. Communications - Scientific Letters of the University of Zilina, 19(1), 35-38. doi: 10.26552/com.C.2017.1.35-38
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