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Bassel Badran

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Does the possession of knowledge carry an ethical responsibility?

To what extent do you agree?

Topics: Human sciences TOK ethics knowledge preception reason
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  • George QT

    • +3
    Jan 22 2013: Is not the possession by itself of the knowledge what brings up the moral issue. The ethical problem begins on the sharing and applying of that knowledge. Not sharing or applying a knowledge that can save lives, is obviously the unethical thing to do, on the other hand, it is also obviously unethical to share or apply a knowledge which's unique (or main) usage is to destroy. The extent of the moral responsibility for having a specific piece of knowledge depends on the degree or benefit and damage such knowledge can cause. But the thing is not so simple, most of the times when you generate new knowledge you cannot figure out more than just one application, or maybe a few. To make it worst, most of the knowledge we have can be used for constructive or destructive purposes, so there's not an easy way to pound the ethical value of sharing knowledge, so most of the times you guess...

    Let say you have the knowledge for making knives, you know knives are both weapons and tools, so what you do? keep secret that knowledge and damage those that will use knives as a tools, or spread the word and benefit those that will use them as weapons...

    I hope you see, whatever your decision may be in this case, you will be acting both ethical and unethical, at the same time.. to which extent?... you just can't know in advance.
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      Salim Solaiman 50+

      • +1
      Jan 22 2013: Well said George

      Moreover morality , ethics etc evolves with knowledge as well...

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