• Journal of Engineering Education Research
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.72-78
• /
• 2012

This paper deals with metaphysical aspects of responsibility focusing on Hans Jonas's Das Prinzip Veranwortung as an attempt to further the discussion on the responsibility of scientists and engineers. After the examination on the necessity of new ethics reflecting the characteristics of contemporary science and technology, the philosophical foundation and major themes of Jonas's future-oriented ethics, i.e. responsibility ethics are analysed. Jonas argued new ethics should consider man and nature simultaneously based on the unification of being and what should be, and presented collectivity, continuity, and future-orientation as a basis of responsibility ethics. In conclusion, this paper suggests implications of Jonas's argument for science and technology ethics such as sustainability, precautionary principle, and responsibility of creator.