Addressing participants in a workshop organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life on the relationship between the individual, emerging technologies and the common good, Pope Francis underlined that progress in science and technology must always be at the service of human dignity and integral human development.
C. Rubini CTC, Vatican News
A two-day workshop on the ethical aspects of so-called “converging technologies” (nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science) is being held this week as the Pontifical Academy for Life holds its general assembly this week.
Titled “Emerging Technologies for the Common Good Confronting the Individual”, the international workshop will be held on February 20-21 with the participation of academics from around the world.
The Pope explained to them the three challenges of changes in human life in the world of technology, the impact of new technologies on the definition of man and relationship, knowledge and its consequences.
Changes in human life in the world of technology
Highlighting the changes in human life in the technological world, Pope Francis pointed out that it is right for humans to work with technology that changes the environment and improves living conditions, and said that this technological change will help us understand ourselves better. The Pope spoke about the value and power of human intelligence and the great responsibility we have towards creation.
The impact of new technologies on the definition of human and relationship
Pope Francis said that the second challenge invites us to think about the impact of new technologies on the definition of human and relationship, especially the position of vulnerable people. Pope Francis highlighted the urgent need to redistribute resources for the benefit of all, reduce inequality in general and guarantee the necessary support for the most vulnerable, such as the disabled, the sick and the poor.
Concept and consequences of knowledge
Pointing out that the set of factors considered so far calls into question our ways of knowing, Pope Francis said he sees a third challenge to know that the knowledge we have already created has moral implications in itself.