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On "bettering humanity" in science and engineering education
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

On "bettering humanity" in science and engineering education

James A Stieb
Science and engineering ethics, v 13(2), pp 265-273
01 Jun 2007
PMID: 17717737
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Accepted (AM) Open Access

Abstract

Altruism Engineering - education Engineering - ethics Humanism Humans Science - education Ethics in Science and Technology
Authors such as Krishnasamy Selvan argue that "all human endeavors including engineering and science" have a single primary objective: "bettering humanity." They favor discussing "the history of science and measurement uncertainty." This paper respectfully disagrees and argues that "human endeavors including engineering and science" should not pursue "bettering humanity" as their primary objective. Instead these efforts should first pursue individual betterment. One cannot better humanity without knowing what that means. However, there is no one unified theory of what is to the betterment of humanity. Simultaneously, there is no one field (neither science, nor engineering, nor philosophy) entitled to rule univocally. Perhaps if theorists tended their own gardens, the common weal would be tended thereby.

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Web of Science research areas
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Ethics
History & Philosophy Of Science
Philosophy
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