Ethical control of innovation in a globalized and liberal world: Is good science still science?

Highlights

• Globalization and modern technologies lead to the emergence of global threats that revolutionize traditional ethic.

• Liberal philosophy favors the privatization of ethical norms.

• Liberal philosophy considers that a free market guarantees the general good and leads to a race for innovation in universities and industries.

• Mode 2 breaks with the norms of the Mertonian scientific methodology.

• Rethinking the notion of the general good is essential to an ethic of innovation.

Abstract

The independence of science was long seen as of prime importance. This position has become less common today. The perception of scientific research as a public service has led to the opinion that it must be accountable to citizens and produce knowledge and innovation that meet their expectations. Numerous authors have voiced the need for anticipatory ethical control of innovation focusing on the scientific research process. This control is considered as the must-have guarantee for “good science.” The current article attempts to trace the ideological origins of the ethical control of innovation, examines its effectiveness against the challenge of globalization and technology-derived major threats and its compatibility with scientific methodology. It also suggests ways to both regulate the innovation process and preserve the independence of science. On the whole, we conclude that truly effective ethical regulation of innovation, i.e. one that protects the greatest number from its adverse effects, is achieved first and foremost by questioning our liberal economic model and the place given to science in our societies.