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HO CHI MINH NATIONAL ACADEMY OF POLITICS
NGUYEN THI KIM HONG
THE ISSUE OF FREEDOM AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBILIY
IN SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND
LESSONS LEARNED IN VIETNAM NOWADAYS
SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS
FIELD OF STUDY: DIALECTICAL MATERIALISM
AND HISTORICAL MATERIALISM
Code: 62 22 03 02
HA NOI - 2018
The thesis was completed at
Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics
Supervisors: 1. Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyan Anh Tuan
2. Dr. Phan Manh Toan
Reviewer 1: ..........................................................
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Reviewer 2: ..........................................................
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Reviewer 3: ..........................................................
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The thesis shall be defended in front of the Thesis Committee at
Academy Level at Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics
At...... hour....... date...... month...... year 2018
The thesis can be found at: the National Library
And the Library of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics
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INTRODUCTION
1. The necessity of the thesis
In the context of globalization and international integration today,
people are paying attention to major issues such as pollution,
environmental degradation, paradoxes between technological
achievements and ethical behaviors of people, or the effects of
globalization on science and technology, and on the lives of people... all
of which are tasked with theoretical research and practical solutions.
Emerging among them is the ethical issues in general, and the freedom
and responsibility of human in the development of science and
technology in particular.
In the 21st century, modern science and technology has made
remarkable progress, achieving great achievements. However, there are
also the dangers of increasing the negative impacts on people and
society from the negative side of that development. This raises a number
of theoretical and practical issues that need to be resolved in order to
answer the question: how to combine harmoniously freedom of
creativity and responsibility, especially the ethical responsibility of the
subjects in scientific and technological activities, for a healthy
development of science and technology - where people can express their
full potential as well as the general development of human society?
In the process of industrialization, modernization and international
integration, Vietnam has been trying to absorb and apply many scientific
and technological achievements of the world, devoting many resources
for research and development of science and application of technology.
Despite the small achievements of science and technology, our national
technology has created a momentum for the country to develop in many
aspects from economics to politics and culture. However, besides being
aware of the great importance of science and technology for the
development of the country, we also need to understand deeply the
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problems that arise in scientific and technological activities that need to
be addressed such as freedom rights, free environment... in creativity
and application of science into production and life; the issue of how to
deal with the responsibility of subjects operating in the field of science
and technology? Which specific measures are needed to maximize the
strength of science and technology while ensuring the harmonious
combination of freedom and responsibility of individuals and
organizations operating in this field?
In that sense, we think that the selection of the subject of "The
issue of freedom and ethical responsibility in science and technology
and lessons for Vietnam nowadays" is a theoretically meaningful one
in general, not only contributes to the clarification of the dialectical
relationship between freedom and responsibility in science and
technology, but also to the practical implications for the development of
science and technology of our country in the context that we are entering
the knowledge economy and the revolution 4.0.
2. Research purposes and research tasks
2.1. Research purposes
The dissertation analyzes the basic contents of the issue of freedom
and ethical responsibility in scientific and technological activities in the
world in general and in Vietnam in particular, from which drawing
lessons for Vietnam today in combining harmoniously freedom and
ethical responsibility in science and technology.
2.2. Research tasks
Firstly, an overview of the work of freedom and ethical
responsibility in science and technology.
Secondly, clarifying common theoretical issues about freedom and
ethical responsibility in science and technology.
Thirdlt, to analyze the basic content of freedom and ethical
responsibility in science and technology.
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Fourthly, to generalize the issues and draw lessons for Vietnam
today in combining harmoniously freedom and ethical responsibility in
science and technology.
3. Subjects and scope of research
3.1. Research subjects
The subject of the thesis is the issue of freedom and ethical
responsibility in scientific and technological activities.
3.2. Research scope
- Scope of contents: The dissertation examines the basic contents
of the issue of freedom and ethical responsibility in scientific research
and application of technology. From the analysis of these basic contents,
the thesis draws some lessons for Vietnam today in combining
harmoniously freedom and ethical responsibility in this field of activity.
- Spatial and temporal scope: Freedom and ethical responsibility in
science and technology activities in Vietnam from 2007 until now - the
year when Vietnam officially became a member of the World Trade
Organization (WTO).
4. Theoretical bases and research methodologies
4.1. Theoretical bases
The dissertation is based on the Marxism-Leninism theoretical
foundation concerning the dialectical relationship between social
existence and social consciousness, between infrastructure and
superstructure, the nature and function of Forms of social consciousness
such as science and ethics. The dissertation also grasped the guidelines,
policies and views of the Party and the laws of the State of Vietnam on
the role of science and technology in the country's development.
In addition, the dissertation is conducted on the basis of absorbing
results of the domestic and overseas scientific works over the past period
which are related to the thesis topic.
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4.2. Research Methodologies
The dissertation is based on the use of materialist dialectical
methodology, using methods such as scientific abstraction, historical -
logic unification, unity of analysis - synthesis, interpretation - inductive,
comparison methods, contrasting, statistics...
5. New contributions of the thesis
- The thesis systematically analyzes the concepts of freedom and
ethical responsibility as well as the relationship between them in the
history of Western philosophical ideology.
- The thesis analyzes the expression of freedom and ethical
responsibility in scientific and technological activities in the world in
general, in Vietnam in particular. From then, the dissertation outlines
issues and draws some lessons for Vietnam today in combining
harmoniously freedom with ethical responsibility in science and
technology.
6. Theoretical and practical meanings of the thesis
6.1. Theoretical meaning of the thesis
The issues discussed and resolved by the thesis will contribute to
the clarification of the theory of freedom and ethical responsibility in
science and technology and lessons learned for Vietnam nowadays.
6.2. The practical meaning of the thesis
The dissertation can be used as reference material for students,
graduate students and those who are interested in studying ethics,
theoretical and practical issues on scientific and technological
development in the world and in Vietnam.
7. Structure of the thesis
Apart from the introduction, conclusion and reference list, the
thesis consists of 4 chapters and 12 sections.
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Chapter 1
OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH SITUATION
RELATED TO THE THESIS
1.1. Studies on the general theory of freedom and ethical
responsibility in scientific and technological activities
1.1.1. Common theoretical studies of freedom and ethical
responsibility
Freedom and responsibility are seen in different perspectives by
researchers in different disciplines such as philosophy, ethics, politics,
and culture. The most representative authors and researches are as
follows.
- Some studies focus exclusively on the concept of freedom, by E.
Fromm; K. Jaspers; E.V. Zolotukhiana-Abolina; John Stuart Mill; Vu
Trong Dung,... show that the authors agree that "freedom is the most
valuable asset; It never comes and goes away automatically. Humans
can only preserve freedom where it is conscious and people feel
responsible for it". It is a category of history - freedom is perceived and
explained in the course of the development of human history.
According to Nguyen Tran Bat, "Freedom is a parallel process of
thinking and acting"; Dinh Ngoc Thach points out that "freedom is the
sacred value and the essence of human nature, the ontological basis of
life. The category of "freedom" refers to human needs and capabilities in
activities that are consistent with their interests and goals, without
interference or obstruction from outside”.
- Some studies are more inclined to the concept of responsibility,
by Nguyen Van Thuc; Tran Duc Cuong; Nguyen Thi Lan Huong also
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agreed that responsibility is the ability of people to be aware of their
performance in the relationship between one person and another and
with the community as well as with the surrounding environment. These
are the constraints to our speech, our actions, ensuring our actions to be
right, and if not, to suffer the consequences and have the obligation to
handle those consequences.
1.1.2. Theoretical studies on scientific and technological activities
Out of the documents on scientific and technological activities, the
first to be mentioned is the Law on Science and Technology of Vietnam
in 2013. The Laws have explained the terms "science", "technology",
"scientific research", "technological development"…; These concepts
and others are also covered in the 2012 R & D Information Guide; The
authors more or less researched on science and technology activities
such as Phan Xuan Dung; Nguyen Van Phuc, Nguyen Thai Son,... have
the common idea that: science is the system of knowledge about nature,
society, thinking that is accumulated in the course of history. Science is
a summary of the long-term development of knowledge. The purpose of
science is to discover the nature and objective laws of the objects and to
explain them. Science is the most important part of spiritual culture, a
historical and social phenomenon that occurs in human life, an important
form of social consciousness. Technology is generally the method of
processing, manufacturing, changing the state, nature, shape of raw
materials or semi-finished products used in the production process to
create finished products.
1.1.3. Studies on the relationship between freedom and ethical
responsibility in science and technology
Research on the relationship between freedom and ethical
responsibility in scientific and technological activities is included in
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some ethics textbooks and works by authors such as Nguyen Dinh Hoa;
Nguyen Van Phuc, etc., which emphasizes the significant importance of
science and technology. However, the effects of a market economy on
science, technical and technology activities are often both positive and
negative. In turn, scientific and technological activities also have a
twofold impact on social development and ethics. In that relationship,
"science, engineering and technology, together with their achievements,
are the foundation, the basis for the formation and development of true
human values" and "the development of a modern scientific and
technological revolution and its gradual growth into direct production
force not only altered the position of people in the production process,
but also fundamentally changed the social production. Therefore,
science and technology also strongly influence the development of
morality, changing the scale of values and the rules governing the
workings of people and society". However, Its social and ethical
implications also cannot avoide the negative effects that the scientists
with the overviewing works initially pointed out.
1.2. Studies on the content of the issue of freedom and ethical
responsibility in science and technology
The issue of freedom and ethical responsibility in scientific and
technological activities in particular and labor and human production in
general are receiving the attention of the whole society. Recognizing the
importance of science and technology in social life, thanks to the
advances in science and technology, human beings have increasingly
understood the infinite world and gradually liberated labor, moving from
physical labour to using machines and intellectual work... The science
fields also provided people with new knowledge such as step by step
discovering the universe, exploring the natural world, providing
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knowledge that is useful for people. In the field of science and
technology, the relationship between freedom and ethical responsibility
has also been studied in works by prominent authors such as Thomas
Kuhn; Vuong Thi Bich Thuy; Nguyen Van Viet; Nguyen Trong Chuan;
Nguyen Thai Son, etc.
1.3. Studies on the lessons learned in the harmonious
combination of freedom and ethical responsibility in science and
technology activities in Vietnam nowadays.
To provide specific lessons for Vietnam in harmonizing the
development of freedom and enhancing ethical responsibility in science
and technology, the author of the thesis studied some of the researches
by the following authors: Nguyen Thi Lan Huong; Pham Van Duc; Le
Thi; Nguyen Van Viet; Nguyen Van Phuc; Nguyen Thai Son... In these
studies, the authors more or less discuss solutions to human
responsibility for the consequences of their scientific and technological
activities such as solutions to environmental issues, the problems of
biomedical technology... But it can be said: The answer to the question:
how to combine harmoniously free development with raising ethical
responsibility of the subjects in scientific and technological activities in
Vietnam in the process of industrialization and modernization, although
necessary, but so far, the author of the thesis has not found any research
on this issue in Vietnam. It can be said that this is a big gap to study.
1.4. The value of the reviewed works and the issues need
further studying and clarifying in the thesis
1.4.1. The value of the reviewed works
First of all, the above-mentioned research papers deal with
important aspects of the concept of freedom, the concept of
responsibility, the ethical responsibility; scientific and technological
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activities; the relationship between freedom and ethical responsibility in
science and technology.
Secondly, these studies at certain angles have analyzed the basic
content of the issue of freedom and ethical responsibility in science and
technology in general and in scientific and technological activities in
Vietnam in particular.
Thirdly, these studies are suggestions for the author of the thesis to
draw lessons for Vietnam today in combining harmoniously freedom
with ethical responsibility in science and technology.
However, no research has been conducted in depth from the
theoretical point of view to the contents and lessons learned in order
to develop freedom and enhance ethical responsibility of people in
scientific and technological activities in general and in Vietnam
today in particular, that is the large gap for the thesis author to carry
out the thesis.
1.4.2. Issues need further studying and clarifying
Firstly, to further study to clarify theories of freedom and
responsibility and ethical responsibility. In particular, the thesis should
clarify systematically how the relationship between freedom and
responsibility is expressed.
Next, in theory, the thesis needs to clarify the implication of the
concept of scientific and technological activities and define clearly, what
is freedom and ethical responsibility in scientific and technological
activities.
Secondly, to analyze the basic content of the issue of freedom and
ethical responsibility in scientific and technological activities and
identify some of the current issues for Vietnam in this area.
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Thirdly, to draw the key lessons for Vietnam today in combining
harmoniously freedom with ethical responsibility in science and
technology.
Thus, it can be said that the thesis topic is the inheritance of the
results of the previous theoretical researches on the issues of freedom
and responsibility in science and technology. However, the theoretical
and practical gaps in those studies and the importance of contributing to
the improvement of the gap in Vietnam in the process of
industrialization and modernization have inspired me to choose the
subject "The issue of freedom and ethical responsibility in science and
technology and lessons learned for Vietnam nowadays" as a research
topic in my thesis.
Chapter 2
SOME GENERAL THEORETICAL ISSUES ON FREEDOM
AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY IN
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES
2.1. The concept of freedom and ethical responsibility
2.1.1. Conception of freedom
Freedom is the realization of objective laws and forces the subject's
activities to follow those laws in order to achieve their goals in the most
effective and optimal way.
Freedom is discussed in society, in the system of relationships
between people. Freedom requires mankind to create material values
and spiritual values through which each individual expresses his or her
full potential and inclination.
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Freedom is expressed in a concentrated and practical way in the
basic human rights. Freedom means that human beings have rights -
these rights are inviolable. The development and abundance of rights, as
well as the social guarantees for the exercise of those rights, have
become the criterion of free development and social progress.
2.1.2. The concept of responsibility, ethical responsibility
- Concept of responsibility
Responsibility is something that people must do and can not avoid.
Therefore, it is also the ability of people to be aware of the results of
their activities, and at the same time, the attitude of people in the
performance of obligations imposed by society. This attitude reflects the
level of fulfillment of moral obligation and the rule of law.
- Moral Responsibilities
From a conceptual point of view, it is possible to understand the
ethical responsibility as all the socially acceptable principles and norms,
but not yet (or not need to be) required by law. As a result, people are
self-adjusting their behaviors to suit the interests, happiness of others
and social progress.
Ethical responsibility is the most authentic form of responsibility.
It is higher, and includes both legal liability. Because wherever human
beings are, in whichever working and living environment, the moral
duty, the demand of the conscience itself, motivates the individual to
fulfill his assigned tasks and fulfilled the required legal liability. At the
same time, they are entitled to enjoy the material and spiritual interests
that have been promulgated by the State and the socio-political mass
organizations.
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2.1.3. The relationship between freedom and ethical responsibility
Freedom and responsibility are rich and varied. But their difference
is an integral and complementary relationship. There can be no
responsibility without freedom of choice and activity, nor can there be
pure freedom without regard to responsibility for others, to society. Only
free and responsible individuals can realize their full potential in social
action and only then open up their full potential.
2.2. Freedom, ethical responsibility in science and technology
2.2.1. The concept of scientific and technological activities
Scientific and technological activities are activities of scientific
research, experimental research and development, technology
development, application of technologies and services in science and
technology, promotion of inventions and other creative activities to
develop science and technology.
2.2.2. Definition of freedom in scientific and technological
activities
Freedom in scientific and technological activities is the ability of
subjects operating in the field of science and technology to understand
the permitted boundaries and ethical boundaries so that such subjects
can operate with the goal for human beings, for the development of the
whole of humanity. Thus, freedom in scientific and technological
activity is not merely a mental condition - the free state of scientists in
scientific research and application, but rather the process by which
Scientists and researchers have found the correct laws of movement and
development of things and phenomena in order to develop solutions
(invention) for practical application. That is, the scientific discoveries
and inventions of scientists that are applied in practice and are
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practically tested for their correctness are the true freedom of scientific
and technological activities.
2.2.3. The concept of ethical responsibility in scientific and
technological activities
Ethical responsibility in scientific and technological activities can
be understood as attitudes, behaviors and perceptions of subjects
operating in this field. It is the ethical responsibility of the scientist in
the course of his scientific research. It is the ethical responsibility of the
subjects in applying the results of scientific research into the realities of
life. The lack of responsibility is most apparent in the behavior of
enterprises using outdated scientific and technological products that no
longer conform to the standard of living of human beings to maintain
and develop production, in order to benefit themselves, which cause the
negative consequences for society. After the corporate responsibility, it
is necessary to note the responsibility of the state in the management of
scientific and technological activities.
2.3. The relationship between ethics and science and technology
The relationship between morality and science is one of the most
important aspects of human life. The more developed the society, the
more scientific achievements are achieved, the more human need
ethics. The relationship between science and morality is the
relationship between the true and the good. The ideal of science and
the ideal of morality are united. The virtue (morality) embraces the
truth (scientific truth) and in the truth embraces the good. True science
can not be hostile to progressive morality. No genuine scientific
invention does not bring joy and happiness to human. Scientific
knowledge also helps the moral subject to know, choose, evaluate the
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right moral values. In turn, it is moral awareness, especially moral
ideal, that plays no small role in creating one of the driving forces of
scientific development, of the quest for truth.
In summary, in this chapter, the thesis author has focused on
clarifying the concepts of freedom, responsibility, freedom in scientific
and technological activities, ethical responsibility in scientific and
technological activities, as well as the relationship between morality and
science and technology.
Chapter 3
BASIC CONTENTS OF FREEDOM AND ETHICAL
RESPONSIBILITY IN SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES
3.1. Freedom in scientific and technological activities
3.1.1. Expression of freedom in science and technology
* Freedom in science and technology is evidenced by the fact that
human discoveries and inventions are increasing.
The great achievements of the modern scientific and technological
revolution - the result of the great development in scientific and
technological activities are excellent proofs, proving that scientists have
been increasingly free to research and apply their scientific inventions
and discoveries into reality, serving the needs of developing human life.
The achievements of scientific and technological activities are present in
all fields of study such as: electronic technology, information
technology, bio-medical technology...
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* Freedom in scientific and technological activities as human rights
Development is both a consequence of freedom and a prerequisite
for greater freedom. And, freedom has become a condition for the
development of modern science and technology. Freedom in scientific
and technological activities not only promotes the creativity of
individuals and organizations but also promotes the overall strength
from the existing ones, to create what is needed. Therefore, the society
needs to create all conditions and allow scientists to freely study, being
free to apply the results of scientific research to where, to what extent. In
addition, each country has its own strategy for developing its own
science and technology.
3.1.2. Limitations of freedom in science and technology
* Negative consequences in science and technology are one of the
limits of human freedom in this activity.
Economic and technological development facilitates human
development through increasingly fulfilling the material, health care,
education, and entertainment needs... All of these make the choice of
value as well as human activity more free and secured. However,
science and technology, and above all the revolution in modern science
and technology, and humanity is now entering the 4.0 technology
revolution with many of its flaws, such as: polluted ecological
environment, negative consequences of the Information Technology
Revolution such as cybercrime, the unresolved consequences of
Biomedical Technology, such as the result of nuclear technology,
aerospace technology, new materials technology... As can be seen, the
negative consequences and challenges from the achievements of science
and technology are many. What has been mentioned here are just
examples of some of today's typical technologies. That said, people
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(including in Vietnam) have not been able to master the process of using
technology to serve the economic development of the country. It is also
the limit of human freedom in science and technology.
* Responsibility, especially ethical responsibility, is also the
boundary of freedom of choice in the research of scientists.
Freedom in scientific research is the process by which scientists
are aware of the objective laws in order to proactively and actively
improve the development of society. As science and technology evolve,
human freedoms are more likely to be elevated, but it is not merely in
the field of perceiving things and phenomenon, but that follows a series
of ethical problems being set out. Thus, in this field of activity, human
freedom is limited freedom - relative freedom.
3.2. Ethical responsibility in scientific and technological
activities
3.2.1. Ethical responsibility of scientists in scientific research
* The ethical responsibility of the scientist during researching process
A morally responsible scientist is a scientist who raises a research
question that meets ethical standards, in the process of experimentation
or data collection, ethical responsibility requires the researcher to adhere
to the ethical standards and rules such as respecting the right of
participants in the study, and being honest such as not to change and
manipulate data. During the publication of research results, the ethical
responsibility of the researcher requires them to report fully and
accurately the data collected and to respect the standards concerning the
author of the journal article. Only then can science, as well as culture in
scientific research, survive.
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* The ethical responsibility of the scientist against the adverse
consequences that their research indirectly causes
The consequences of current scientific and technological activity
on human life are not to be taken lightly. Are scientists responsible for
the use and dissemination of their research results? This is a question
that goes through the evolution of science and technology.
3.2.2. Ethical responsibility of individuals and organizations in
applying technology into production and life
This responsibility first of all requires organizations and
individuals to prioritize investment in the production of new
technologies, new equipment, environmentally friendly products,
economical use of raw materials, to look for new materials in
production, to limit waste to the environment.
Firstly, the responsibility of the subjects of scientific and
technological activities concerning the issues of ecological environment.
Secondly, the ethical responsibility of organizations and
individuals applying technology to production and life to the existence
and development of human beings.
The most typical illustration can be found in the field of
biotechnology.
In biotechnology the "green revolution" that took place in the 60s
and 70s of the twentieth century saved many Asian and Latin
American countries out of famine, especially in Brazil and India. In
the beginning of the 1980s, humanity entered the second phase of this
revolution, focusing on the development and breeding of new high
yielding varieties, the construction of modern irrigation systems,
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increasing crop rotation and finding out what new chemicals were
available to ensure the growth of plants. However, right after that,
humans suffered the consequences of environmental pollution and
hygiene, food safety, which were resulted from genetic engineering
and other technologies. The impact of genetically modified products
on humans is unpredictable, and therefore is a major challenge for
humans; Studies in the area of cloning will be at risk of being abused
for inhumane purposes.
In summary, in this chapter, the author focuses on the basic
contents of the issue of freedom and ethical responsibility in science and
technology. Answering the question: What is the expression of freedom
in science and technology? What is the ethical responsibility of the
subjects operating in the science and technology field?
Chapter 4
FREEDOM AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY
IN SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES:
SOME ISSUES SET OUT AND LESSONS LEARNED FOR
VIETNAM NOWADAYS
4.1. Some issues of freedom and ethical responsibility in
scientific and technological activities set out nowadays
4.1.1. Issues set out for organizations and individuals involved in
research and application of science and technology
Firstly, freedom and ethical responsibility in scientific and
technological activities pose the problem of the limits of scientific and
technological innovation.
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Secondly, freedom and ethical responsibility in scientific and
technological activities raise the issue on ethical foundations of
scientific and technological activities.
4.1.2. The issue set out for the subjects managing scientific and
technological activities
Firstly, the problem of fraud in scientific research tends to
increase.
The problem is that the managing subjects at all levels, from the
grassroots to the central state, must prevent and cope with the forms of
fraud in scientific activities so effectively that the science really
develops and benefits the society and brightens the personality of the
scientist?
Secondly, the intellectual property platform in scientific and
technological activities is incomplete, inconsistent and unstable.
Thirdly, to ensure the practice of true democracy in science and
technology.
Fourthly, the legal management and coordination of scientific and
technological activities are lacking and weak, inconsistent and
incomprehensible.
4.2. Lessons learned for organizations and individuals involved
in research and application of science and technology
4.2.1. Organizations and individuals engaged in scientific and
technological research and application should clearly define the limits
of scientific and technological creations
Determining the threshold of freedom in scientific creativity is
essential because it will determine the direction of research results.
Freedom in the creation of science and technology is the "mastering" of
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their creativity in the positive aspects. Organizations and individuals,
when participating in scientific and technological activities, must make
a clear choice that human beings master science and technology, not
vice versa.
4.2.2. Organizations and individuals engaged in scientific and
technological research and application should be well aware of the
moral foundations of scientific and technological creations
In terms of ethics, especially from the relationship of freedom and
responsibility in ethics, it can be said that the problem of controlling the
reverse and negative aspects of scientific and technological activities has
become a global issue. Addressing global issues has become an urgent
task of the present day, drawing the attention of most scientists and
governments around the world. In their "liberty", the development of
science and technology is required to be "driven" by timely interventions
through a number of measures so that the development path does not
deviate from the rule of sustainable development.
4.3. Lessons learned for the State of Vietnam in the
management of scientific research and application of technology
nowadays
4.3.1. Addressing the problem of fraud in scientific research
nowadays
Fraudulent evil in scientific research is becoming more and more
popular in the world and Vietnam is not excluded with many forms of
expression. Experience from abroad provides us with some lessons on
how to solve this problem for the universities in our country.
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Firstly, the Ministry of Science and Technology should have a unit
to deal with and handly cases of fraud in science.
Secondly, educating scientific ethics for intellectuals since they
were students
Thirdly, in our country, cheating in scientific research has the most
manifestations in plagiarism. In our opinion, apart from teaching
students to distinguish between plagiarism and properly, honestly and
extensively quoting to deal with plagiarism, or "knowledge fraud" in our
country, it is necessary to reform from the education system.
4.3.2. Strengthening the intellectual property in scientific and
technological activities
Intellectual property is the possession of the creation of wisdom.
Therefore, ensuring intellectual property rights are the work of the State
for individuals to control the proprietary rights of their intellectual
property within a certain period of time, in order to prevent the free
exploitation of such products. Intellectual property in scientific and
technological activities is often understood to include the following
rights: industrial property; copyrights and rights related to copyright;
rights to plant varieties.
4.3.3. To build a democratic environment in scientific and
technological activities
Democratization in decision-making on science and technology
will be a necessary condition for ensuring social control of scientific and
technological achievements.
Firstly, democracy is for the subjects involved in scientific research.
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Secondly, democracy in identifying, selecting scientific research tasks.
Thirdly, democracy in the process of carrying out scientific
research tasks.
Fourthly, democracy in the evaluation and acceptance of results of
scientific research tasks.
Fifthly, democracy (fair rights - obligations) of interests in
scientific research.
4.3.4. To legalize some ethical responsibilities in scientific and
technological activities
In order to effectively limit the adverse effects of scientific and
technological development, scientific inventions and their use, there
must be a legally binding force that makes the responsibility of scientists
and users of scientific results are carried out in the most serious way.
In summary, in this chapter, the author of the thesis outlined the
issues of freedom and ethical responsibility in scientific and
technological activities set out for Vietnam nowadays. From that, the
author drew lessons learned for Vietnam nowadays in this regard.
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CONCLUSION
Nowadays, the revolution in science and technology on a global
scale has been making human freedoms and responsibilities more
advanced and richer than ever. The most fundamental factors regulating
the process of social modernization, such as market economy,
technological advancement, democratization, globalization, are strongly
promoted, but at the same time set great challenge to the development of
freedom and responsibility of human beings. These factors are creating
conditions, better guarantees both physically and mentally the
development of freedom and responsibility of human beings. Economic
and technological development facilitates human development through
increasing fulfillment of the material, health care, education, entertainment
needs... The development of democracy facilitates the broadening of
human rights: freedom of business, freedom of residence, freedom of
religious activity, freedom of association, freedom of full participation in
political, cultural and social life... All of these make the choice of value as
well as activities of human more free and guaranteed. At the same time,
through these freed activities, human’s responsibility for the community,
society and for humanity is also increasing and improving. However, in
the context of globalization nowadays, with the emergence and increasing
of seriousness of global problems, human freedoms and responsibilities are
also facing serious challenges. Human life, i.e. the right to live, and other
human freedoms, is being threatened by the AIDS epidemic, terrorism,
regional warfare, environmental pollution, etc.
These and several other issues are demanding not only the
enhancement of responsibility of not only international organizations,
nations, and peoples, but also the whole humanity. And, it is in raising the
responsibility to solve the problems that arise from the process of
modernization and globalization, that freedom of each and every human
can be raised to a new height.
24
In the process of natural transformation and improvement, self-
improvement, people always clash with complicated problems, where
there is the right, the wrong, the good, the bad interlaced together
unpredictably. What is happening today in the field of science and
technology is posing to human beings a great challenge to the
development of each individual and the society. That requires a long-term
development strategy for the society. Lesson learned about human’s
destruction of the environment when abusing the achievements of the
scientific and technological revolution is still there. Although today,
people are implementing a long-term development strategy, the negative
consequences are still going on in the negative direction. These
consequences are continuing to affect both human beings and human
society. People can not sit still waiting for the disaster to fall on his or her
head. Moreover, these disasters are man-made. What must be done so
that human and human society can continue to grow?
Perhaps the most common answer to the science and technology
development strategy is to aim for the highest: for human life as a social
biology entity and for the development of society as an integral part of
the natural-social system. Any development of science and technology, or
of human creativity, becomes meaningless, if that development harms the
people and its living environment. Therefore, in the long-term
development strategy of human society, it is necessary to fully and
seriously consider the safety of human natural and social nature. This is
only when the responsible people in the social community are able to
work out and control the policies and laws that are right with profound
humanism. As for creators and applicants of science and technology, it is
necessary to associate the immediate interests of oneself with the long-
term interests of the community, to recognize human responsibility,
citizen responsibility, professional conscience in the work they are doing.
How future society will be is in the hands of today's generations.
LIST OF THE WORKS PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR
RELATED TO THE THESIS
1. Nguyen Thi Kim Hong (2013), "Freedom in modern science and
technology revolution", Journal of Marine Science and
Technology, (35).
2. Nguyen Thi Kim Hong (2016), "Talking about the terim “responsibility",
In the book Philosophical research in Vietnam nowadays -
Theoretical issues, Faculty of Philosophy - University of Social
Sciences, National University of Hanoi, National Political -
Truth Publishing House, Hanoi.
3. Nguyen Thi Kim Hong (2017), "The Problem of Freedom in
Scientific Research", Journal of Education & Society, (76).
4. Nguyen Thi Kim Hong (2017), "Ethical responsibility of Scientists in
Scientific Research", Journal of Education & Society, (8).
5. Nguyen Thi Kim Hong (2017), "The Problem of Ethical responsibility
in Scientific Research", Journal of Theoretical Education, (264).
6. Nguyen Thi Kim Hong (2017), "The Karl Marx’s Perspectives on the
Role of Science and Technology in Production Development and
the Application by our Party", Journal of the Frontier, (169).