Agriculture Reference
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chemistry, and biology. The authors can attest that the good news is that many
of the methods of green chemistry, green engineering, and sustainable design are
indeed supportable by sound science. The problem has been that many methods
and much thinking have not undergone the scientific scrutiny called for since the
Renaissance, when Robert Boyle and the Royal Society instituted the rules of a
posteriori science. Too many cases for the environment have been taken as the
articles of faith of environmentalism. Thus, if we want to take the Kantian view,
we must ensure that all designs are founded on strong scientific principles.
Social Responsibility: The Ethical and Social Dimensions
of Sustainable Design
Few topics are more current than those related to sustainable design. Former Vice
President Al Gore received an Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth and most recently
shared the Nobel Peace Prize with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC). Kindergartners fear the demise of the polar bear due to global
warming. High school students calculate their “carbon footprints.” The majority
of scientists concur that Earth is warming and endorse the most recent report by
the IPCC, which states that Western nations, especially the United States, need
to make major reductions in their emissions of global greenhouse gases, especially
carbon dioxide.
Whether they like it or not, scientists are influencing policies. Most are un-
comfortable outside their specific discipline. Few are trained in matters of politics,
journalism, and mass communication. In fact, many scientists argue that their sin-
gle calling is to adhere to the scientific method and to let others worry about
how such knowledge is put to use. However, it is likely that only a small subset
of these scientists see a complete divorce of science and policy. For example,
even those who are conducting basic research should worry that their advances
may be put to some evil use. This is the “dual-use” dilemma, where something
designed for beneficial outcomes (e.g., understanding the structure of the atom)
is used in ways not intended by the researcher (e.g., terrorists' construction of a
“dirty bomb”). That said, scientists are required to conduct research responsibly;
and at the top of the list of responsible conduct is that of seeking and telling the
truth. This view was best articulated by a famous twentieth-century philosopher
of science, C. P. Snow, into a single tenet of science: “The only ethical principle
which has made science possible is that the truth shall be told all the time. If we
do not penalise false statements made in error, we open up the way, don't you
see, for false statements by intention. And of course a false statement of fact made
deliberately, is the most serious crime a scientist can commit.” 3
Not every scientist and technical professional buys this. Arguably, the most
dangerous group of scientists are those who so strongly advocate a political or
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