On The Ethical Responsibilities Of Scientists

The question of Scientists' ethical responsibilities is not discussed for a long time. From the Classical period to the Renaissance period, even to the 19th century, such a view had been popular in the field of science that science is the end in itself and science is just the pure awareness for understanding and recognition. People holding this view didn't acknowledge that science has any practical function to society or just thought that it is a relatively minor and subordinate function; moreover, in their eyes, science is simply a research out of some people's hobbies and just for the knowledge. Therefore, it was no indispensable to talk about "the ethical responsibilities of scientists". But with the further development of science, especially with the emergence and development of scientific community, the size of scientific research is increasing and single individuals or small groups can not assume the tasks and funding of the scientific research; moreover, the relationship between science and social economy and political become more and closer. Then, scientists understood that science is no longer a research just for knowledge, and they must pay attention to the social application of the science. Especially the outbreak of World War II and the starting of Manhattan project caused the widespread concern of "the ethical responsibilities of scientists". Einstein, Born, Oppenheimer and other scientists believed that it is unshakable that scientists should bear social ethic responsibilities. Nevertheless, nowadays some scholars still believe that science and technology is neutral in value and scientists should not bear responsibilities for social ethics. So this thesis begins with the basis of scientists' ethical responsibility which should be beard and expounds in theory, history and reality respects. In the theory aspect, this thesis points out the inevitability and necessity of scientists' ethical responsibility which should be beard, and criticizes the so-called "science and technology is neutral in value" which could not be used as a shield by scientists to evade their responsibilities. In the history aspect, scientists should assume ethical responsibilities, which is the historical summary and the need of social development. In the reality aspect, the emerging technology has brought a wide range of ethical issues. For example, life medical, networks, space technology and nuclear technology raise new challenges for ethics, and continuous deterioration of ecological environment makes the ethical issues endless. At this time, scientists as the main activities of science and technology must not stand by with folded arms. Otherwise, the increasing of scientists involving in the decision-making in the government, the increasing of the distance between Public and the science and the growing of scientists' immoral acts all prove that scientist should bear the ethical responsibility. After that, this thesis expounds what kind of ethical responsibility scientists should bear. It is said that scientists are responsible not only for the human being, such as respecting life, preserving human dignity, promoting human interest and guiding people to obtain more reasonable and more valuable means to live, but also for the development of human society, such as safeguarding social justice, guiding public opinion, promoting the scientific spirit and emphasizing science education. In addition, in the process of conducting research, scientists should establish the correct sense of scientific honor, the strong sense of social responsibility and grasp the value of scientific research orientation. Although scientists' ethical responsibilities are very important, we also should pay attention to hold the degree of the responsibility. Scientists can not bear all of the responsibility which will result adverse social consequences. In order to make the scientists bear ethical responsibility better, scientists should strengthen their own scientific conscience and improve the personal integrity. In addition, the law of science and technology and the ethical norms of Scientific Community should be improved. Moreover, constructing better environment is also an effective measure.