Is some knowledge unethical?
Welcome to the world of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) at the College.
In the IBDP, we ask questions about knowledge; which invariably opens up rigorous discussions and debate.
This week, we are focusing on Mathematics as an Area of Knowledge; but in particular, the role of Ethics in Mathematics. Hence the question:
Is some knowledge unethical?
Students looked at this question on ethics from both a principles point of view and from a consequences point of view. Eventually we came to a conclusion that it is not necessarily the knowledge of Mathematics itself, but what we do with the Mathematical knowledge that can have an unethical layer to it - like making weapons of mass destruction.
We finished the week with the following questions still unanswered. It's worth discussing over the dinner table at home...
To what extent should creators of knowledge be held accountable for detrimental applications of their knowledge?
Should knowledge that has the potential for unethical application be censored?
To find out more about the IBDP at the College, come along to the Information Session on 14 August, 2025 at 7pm in the ELC.
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