THE ETHICS OF TECHNOLOGY, CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

Authors

David J. Ndegwah[1]

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, School of Education and Social Sciences, P. O. Box 210, Bondo, Kenya

Otto J. Kroesen

TPM, TU Delft, Department of Values, Jaffalaan 5, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands

Book: Applied ethics in religion and culture contextual and global challenges (Editors: Mugambi, Jesse N.K & Lutz, David W.).

Pages: 97-120

Publication year: 2012

Publishers: Acton Publishers

Abstract

A Jewish Midrash asks the question: “What did God do after he finished creation?”  The answer: “He married the parts of his creation to each other.”

The goal of this chapter is to show how and why culture and society (shared values) are decisive in the complex relationship between technology, culture, and environment. It will be argued that whereas technological development is important and indeed necessary in this era for any meaningful development, there is need to encourage a form of technology that is culturally embedded and is environment friendly. The two elements are a condition sine qua non, if any technology is to be deemed as sustainable; in any given locality. Technology transfer, in itself, is not difficult; and yet many attempts have failed, because the cultural conditions to manage the technology (inscribed as it were in the technology itself as a socio-technical system) were not in place. This has to do with complex management skills, maintenance, institutional backing and daily habits, to mention but a few. The environment is not the main problem either. The degradation of the environment is mainly caused by human action, not by technology as such. And even if it was the problem, it is mostly not difficult to develop the technology further and make it more sustainable. This may take more investment, but above all complex and disciplined management systems. Again, it is human action that stands in the way of progress; because culture has a stake on how to develop a technology that is acceptable to a people and also that take care of their environment.

[1] This is the corresponding author. Dr. David J. Ndegwah is a senior lecturer at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Bondo, Kenya.