The point of view of religious authorities and philosophers on nuclear energy - Philosophy

This article is the reporting of an interview made with Jacques Arnould, a science historian and philosopher. The philosopher thinks that the main problem of sciences and technologies is the lack of questioning about the real purpose of developing new technologies. Are they developed for the well-being and comfort of mankind or for the sole business and economical aspects? The response to this basic question is fundamental for the long-term acceptance of controversial technologies. In 2009 in the strong debate that took place on nano-technologies, the question of 'why this technology' was never asked and the debate was bogged down in technical issues. The consequences: 10 years later we are still at the same point. For nuclear technologies the ethical aspect is even more important because we engage future generations through the disposal of radioactive wastes. The nuclear risk should be balanced by the response to the why question: do we accept this risk because we want to provide humanity with plentiful non-carbon energy or because we want to develop an industrial sector? the ethical aspect is fundamental to deal with in terms of public acceptance. (A.C.)