Title :
Explaining disasters: the case for preventive ethics
Author :
Harris, Charles E., Jr.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Philosophy, Texas A&M Univ., College Station, TX, USA
Abstract :
In 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded during launch, taking the lives of six astronauts and one teacher. The disaster virtually stopped U.S. space exploration for two years. How should this disaster be explained? The article discusses three types of explanation and considers the application of preventive ethics. People should be informed about unusual dangers to which they might be subjected, and given the chance to consent or not consent to the dangers
Keywords :
aerospace industry; disasters; professional aspects; reliability; safety; space vehicles; Challenger; dangers; disasters; preventive ethics; space exploration; space shuttle; Computer aided software engineering; Design engineering; Disaster management; Engineering management; Ethics; NASA; Space exploration; Space shuttles; Technology management; Valves;
Journal_Title :
Technology and Society Magazine, IEEE
