Virtues and values in science

This chapter deals with science, the development of technology and sustainability. We shall not argue that intrinsic properties of science and technology as such block the solution of sustainability problems, nor do we believe that the solution to those problems requires of people a “radically new way of Being”. An increase of bureaucratic influence will not provide us with a solution either. We will argue the desirability of a further evolution in applied research. This desirable evolution means that certain comfortable “value-free” scientific practices are to be replaced by practices in which a reasonable way of making value-laden judgement plays an essential role. The moral attitudes of scientists and engineers engaged in those practices will be of great importance