Science fiction as a spearhead for ethical reflection of the social uses of technology

• Main Author: Jorgelina SANNAZZARO
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad de Salamanca 2015-02-01
• Series: Artefactos
• Subjects: black mirror; ciencia ficción; tecnología; usos sociales; reflexión ética
• Online Access: https://revistas.usal.es/index.php/artefactos/article/view/12428

Without a doubt social studies in science and technology are increasingly combining a variety of disciplines, including art and literature that stand out for their potential to raise awareness and cause reflections on the transformations generated by scientific and technological progress. In this line, the so called anti-utopias and dystopias, further accentuate the characteristics outlines, as they allow denouncing social problems and oppressive socio political contexts, precisely because of its ability to show a virtual scenario (notyet real)but still possible. In literature we can mention two novels which are already classic examples of dystopias: 1984 by George Orwell and Brave new world by Aldous Huxley. Much of the science fiction films are based on books of this genre. Black Mirror is a british miniseries whose focus is on the various ways in which technology affects and interacts with society, it has earned impressive reviews from science fiction lovers. In this paper we propose to perform a critical assessment of what the series offers as STS content.