ABSTRACT

In his famous book The Imperative of Responsibility, Hans Jonas (1979/2003) wrote that we must always consider the potential risks of technological innovation: “e recognition of the malum is so much easier than that of the bonum … Primitively speaking, the prophecy of doom receives more attention than the prophecy of salvation” (p. 70). With this perspective and emphasis of the negative potentials of technology, Jonas inuenced a long line of technology assessment work that focused on the negative consequences or potential risks of technical advancements. Less thought has been invested by philosphers and political scientists into building positive visions for the future, visions in which we constructively focus on our positive values while avoiding the malum.