Title: Ethic of science and public emotions

Authors: Oldrich Benda

Addresses: Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Czechoslovakia

Abstract: The general public tend to judge technological developments on emotional grounds. This often leads to public mistrust of the scientific establishment, and to a mis-match between the perceptions of the public and those of technical specialists on such issues as environmental protection and nuclear safety. Scientists should strive to achieve objectivity in their expression of the pros and cons of major new technological developments. Decisions on whether or not to proceed with such projects should be in the hands of representative governments.

Keywords: decision making; environmental impact; nuclear safety; public opinion; technological projects; ethics; emotion; objectivity; technological developments; public emotions; nuclear energy; nuclear power.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.1991.063730

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 1991 Vol.2 No.4, pp.239-240

Published online: 19 Jul 2014 *

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