Science Fiction, Technology, and Our Modern World - Essay Example

Science Fiction, Technology, and Our Modern World Science Fiction, Technology, and Our Modern World Essay Science fiction grapple with many ethical issues in our society today. The star trek depicts an examination of the culture of the contemporary society in an entertaining space adventure through a lens that does not cast too harsh light on its own. The movie also depicts humanity as an enlightened being who always does the right thing. Kirk, McCoy and Spock encounters some alien cultures that have flaws closely resembling those facing humanity in their every day’s life such as discrimination, and oppression among others.

Aliens are not humans hence are the culprits in Star Trek episode. Nobody is offended, and we can easily examine issues without accusing one another. If there were Star Trek in Television shows today, I am sure we would be tackling issues such as religious fundamentalism without using Arab terrorist characters as examples. The ethics of utilitarianism, therefore, suggests that the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by how much pain or happiness it produces. A morally right action produces more happiness whereas a morally wrong action produces more pain.

The needs of many outweigh the needs of a few as demonstrated by the original Spock in the original Star Trek, the Wrath of Khan, when he sacrifices his life to save the Enterprise. Entering the core will kill him but many will be saved. Essay 2 Throughout human history, we have developed ways that make us live longer, richer and more convenient as the knowledge has expanded. People have continually applied technological advancements and devices that improve the quality of life on earth. Each generation comes with new inventions and discoveries that previous generations could only imagine.

These inventions such as bombs and other weapons have negative impacts on our lives with the capacity of unleashing powers of destruction in the name of progress. Others like communication technology and medicines have improved the quality of life as well as making the world a comfortable place to live. Science and technology are, therefore, a double-edged sword of preservation and destruction; as these evolve, there are questions of ethics and morality. The technoscience have become an integral part of the contemporary society.

Today’s generation lives with knowledge and information at fingertips, courtesy of internet and gadgets such as phones and computers making the word impossible obsolete to some extent. Medical advances such as cloning, genetic testing, DNA identification, stem cell research, and manipulation of human cells have become topics of discussion. Ethical and moral challenges to progress have become concerns of everyone not only the experts. The world around us today has numerous challenging questions that are very vital to the nature and future of science, society, and commerce in our generation.

From genetic manipulations to artificial intelligence, books unravel the power of the human mind to think of unlikely events and situations in the current and future world. The interest in science fiction has not wavered signaling an increasing interest and thirst for scientific knowledge.ReferencesBottom of FormCharles Stross “Rogue Farm” in the Wesleyan Anthology (pg. 727-741)Damon Horowitz TED Talk "Moral Operating System". Accessed on June 18, 2015 from http://www.ted.com/talks/damon_horowitzEvans, A. (2010). The Wesleyan Anthology of Science Fiction.

Middleton: Wesleyan University Press. Introduction to Ethics. Accessed on June 18, 2015 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_t4obUc51AMartin Rees TED Talk "Can We Prevent the End of the World". Accessed on June 18, 2015 from https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_rees_can_we_prevent_the_end_of_the_worldPaul Root Wolpes TED Talk "Its Time to Question Bio-Engineering". Accessed on June 18, 2015 from https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_root_wolpe_it_s_time_to_question_bio_engineeringSchneider, S. (2010).

Science Fiction and Philosophy. New York: Wiley Blackwell. Part IV: Ethical and Political Issues (pg. 225-277)Science Fiction as an Ethical Lens Aimed at Our Society. Accessed on June 18, 2015 from http://nonlocalscifi.com/2015/03/science-fiction-as-an-ethical-lens-aimed-at-our-society/Ursula K. Le Guins “Nine Lives” in the Wesleyan Anthology (pg. 452-477)