STRUCTURING SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

Nanotechnology is expected to have a big positive impact on society, but at the same time there are big concerns about its negative impacts. In the present paper, firstly I clarify the characteristic of the problem of social implications of nanotechnology, and at the same time I will imply that existing frameworks are not enough to successfully deal with this complex problem. Secondly, I will propose a new framework to analyse this problem. Then finally I will apply this new framework to the problem of nanotechnology, and show its feasibility. There is a possibility that it will serve as a common ground for discussion among people with different recognitions.