Kavli Center for Ethics, Science, and the Public
The mission of the Kavli Center for Ethics, Science, and the Public at Berkeley is to provide an inclusive, democratic, and multidisciplinary framework for understanding the ethical implications of science and technology, guiding the development of policy concerning anticipated and actual scientific advances, and helping to ensure that they are answerable to fundamental human interests.
Three major research questions inform the work of the Center:
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What are the most important human interests that might be affected by developments in science, technology, and policy, and what ethical responsibilities flow from these interests for individuals, scientists, and members of a democratic polity?
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How can we better anticipate scientific and technological advances and their potential impact on human interests?
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How can we better integrate moral goals and constraints into the conduct and application of science and technology and into public policy in these areas to ensure that the impact on human interests is positive?
The Kavli Center vision comprises three elements: a “hub”, representing the core activities of the Center, where all who are affiliated with it come together to address fundamental ethical questions across disciplinary boundaries; “spokes” linking these activities to various scientific disciplines; and an “axle” connecting the Center with the larger society in a two-way process of outreach and engagement. The Center is an intellectual community, with cohorts of faculty and students exposed to and participating in all three elements.
