Making the invisible visible

Normativities in and of technology assessment

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14512/tatup.28.1.21

Keywords:

deliberation, ethics, normativity, pragmatism, technology assessment

Abstract

 

Technology assessment (TA) is an analytic and interactive practice that produces evaluative judgments about the societal implications of technology. Despite this distinct evaluative disposition, “normativities” inherent in TA programs and practices often remain hidden. Therefore, TA practice and outcomes often overlook a range of methodological, ethical, and political issues. In an attempt to remedy this shortcoming, this article explores how TA aims to improve political decision making in science and technology (meta-normativity) and is imbued with the values, norms, and moral positions of both participants and TA practitioners (in-normativity). It provides recommendations to render these normativities in TA more visible, and thereby amenable to reconsideration and change.

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Published

03.04.2019

How to Cite

1.
Lucivero F, Delvenne P, van Oudheusden M. Making the invisible visible: Normativities in and of technology assessment. TATuP [Internet]. 2019 Apr. 3 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];28(1):21-6. Available from: https://www.tatup.de/index.php/tatup/article/view/193