Tribes, boundaries, and intellectual silos: Science, technology, and engineering ethics education in the departmentalized world of academia

Abstract

In theory, science, technology, and engineering ethics lies at the intersection of these STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields and the disciplines of philosophy and/or religion. However, empirical studies suggest that there is relatively little interaction between those teaching courses such as bioethics or engineering ethics in biology or engineering departments and their counterparts in philosophy or religion departments. An analysis of the professors in academia suggests that most participate in one, and only one community of scholars. In order to address these concerns, the authors propose a number of possible solutions, including increased availability of philosophic and religious ethics instruction for STEM professors and of STEM education for religion and philosophy professors. In addition, structural changes in universities to encourage and promote interdisciplinary scholarship and team-teaching.